Unzip Files & Install Fonts on Windows Vista

In a previous blog post I discussed where you could download free fonts. In this post I'll show you the steps needed to unzip and install them on the Windows Vista operating system.

For years I used Winzip to unzip files but that changed when I could no longer use the program for free. So I had to come up with another alternative. Luckily I was able to find an Open Source option called 7-Zip. No registration or payment is required. You will need this program or one like it to unzip your font downloads. Remember Open Source applications are free. Find out more about them here: Have you considered Open Source lately?

I downloaded Minstrel Poster from FontSquirrel. 

In the 7-Zip File Manager select the Minstrel Poster zip file. 

Then click on the Extract button. 

This opens the Extract Window. 

Select where you would like the file to be extracted to.

Click Ok. 

This is followed briefly by an extracting window.

In Windows Explorer, browse to the extracted folder, which in this case would be named MinstrelPosterWHG. 

Double click to open the folder.

You should see 2 files - one will be the font and the other the font license. 

Right clicking the True Type Font file, the one with the 2 T's will reveal a menu. 

Select Install. 

This will open a User Account Control window. 

Windows will be asking your permission to make the necessary change. 

Click Continue.



To verify that the font has been installed you can either open a graphics program that will allow you to see your Font List or you can check your system's Control Panel. 

The Control Panel in Windows Vista has two views: Classic and Control Panel Home.

Classic View

Go to Start > Control Panel > Fonts








This will open a Font List that you can scroll down to search for your newly installed font. 

There you see the Minstrel Poster Font is installed.







Control Panel Home

Go to Start > Control Panel >Appearance and Personalization > Fonts

This will open a Font List that you can scroll down to search for your newly installed font. 

There you see the Minstrel Poster Font is installed.

To see how I've used downloaded fonts you can take a look at my Free Flyer Templates and check out a Flyer Tutorial or 2. 

Try downloading a few more fonts or you can just getting busy designing. 

Have fun!