FNTCACHE.DAT: Safe to Delete?

[austin0331]

I recently installed Helvetica Neue on my PC, for use in Photoshop. It messed up some website's fonts that use Arial. After looking around, this font is known to do that. It is not malware, it's just this certain font that doesn't get along with Arial. I've deleted all traces of it but it still breaks the fonts on the websites. I've read on a forum that deleting FNTCACHE.DAT should help, but I wanted to get a professional's opinion first. Is it safe to delete, and do you think it would solve the problem?

 

[marsmimar]

I'm not a professional. I'm just an average user.

Based on what I've read, if you delete FNTCACHE.DAT it should rebuild itself when you reboot your computer. If it doesn't, it could mean you have damaged or corrupt system files. Running a System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (Option Two) should fix that issue. Please note you may have to run the scan at least 3 times and reboot the computer immediately following each scan.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

And this Microsoft help forum article has some additional info.

Why a Windows 7 64-bit doesn't have a FNTCACHE.DAT

   Warning

Before deleting anything I would suggest making a system restore point or, better yet, a system image. If something goes wrong youll be able to return your computer to the exact condition it's in right now and be no worse off. You could use the Windows 7 tools or in the case of a system image the free Macrium Reflect.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/697-system-restore-point-create.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

 

[austin0331]

Thanks for the response. I've looked at the date from the FNTCACHE file and realized that it was last touched in 2010. So I think it wouldn't be causing the problem. Would reinstalling Chrome do anything?

 

[marsmimar]

I couldn't say if reinstalling Chrome would help or not. I'm a Firefox fan myself.

But I had another thought that may help. Depending on how recently you installed Helvetica Neue, you could see if you have a restore point and roll back your machine to a date/time prior to installing that font.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

 

[Britton30]

Delete the cache file then navigate to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Fonts\Font settings and click Restore Font Defaults, reboot, and see if that helps.