Unable to Delete Font .ttf file.

[AtomicSheep]

Hi,

Trying to delete the .ttf file and I get an error:

"The action can not be completed because the file is open in system."

I tried closing down all programs, didn't work.

I tried logging out and in, didn't work.

I tried restarting, didn't work.

I tried changing permissions, didn't work.

I went to regedit->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows NT->Fonts (that path might not be 100% correct) to try to delete the font from the registry but it wasn't even there (since I was able to delete it from the fonts folder I assume). This didn't work either.

The font deletes from the font folder, but the original .ttf installer file doesn't delete.

 

[Deleted690]

do you want to delete fonts from C:\Windows\Fonts ?

 

[AtomicSheep]

I'm making my own font but I can't save over the current .ttf file because it is completely locked. I went save in my font editor software but it spat out an error. So i looked at what might be the problem and decoded to just delete the file and it didn't which was an aha moment. So it's completely locked for some reason.

 

[mitchell65]

What font is it that you are trying to delete?

 

[AtomicSheep]

The one I created myself. As I mentioned, I can delete it from the installed fonts i.e. uninstall it just fine, I can't delete the .ttf file.

 

[mitchell65]

If you haven't got the "Take Ownership" option in the context menu that appears when you right click on the ttf file then follow this tutorial.
Then right click on the ttf file choose "Take Ownership" and see if you can then delete the file.

 

[AtomicSheep]

Nope, still not deleting.

EDIT: FYI, I restored my system image from a backup location (only my C drive and not because of this file), but this file is on my D drive and even after a system restore, it still stubbornly lives on.

 

[mitchell65]

Does the ttf file appear in your C > Windows>Fonts folder?

 

[AtomicSheep]

Makes no difference whether it's in there or not. I hope uninstalling a font is as simple as deleting it from that folder, because that's how I've been uninstalling it. If that's not the right method, maybe that's why it got broken.

 

[mitchell65]

Try Control Panel > Appearance and Personalisation > Font. Select the font in question then click"Organize" then choose "Delete"!

 

[mitchell65]

AtomicSheep
You said in an earlier post that the ttf file was on your D" drive. What is the full path to the file on D because all usable fonts should be in the Fonts folder in the Windows Folder in the "C" drive. Assuming your Windows installation is on your "C" drive.

 

[AtomicSheep]

It deletes fine from the font folder, it's the .ttf font file that you use to install the font in the first place that I can't delete or write to (since I'm trying to edit it and save to it).

I'm talking about the file that is created in font editing software that you click on to install.

 

[mitchell65]

So I now assume that your ttf file is stored within the font editing software. If you would please respond to my request to show the full path to the file then a lot of time might be saved!!

 

[AtomicSheep]

The .ttf file is sitting in my projects folder on my D drive, which is not related to the font editing software. I don't have the software installed at the moment. When I originally saved the .ttf file, I just clicked save as and pointed the location to my projects folder. Nothing out of the ordinary that I can gather.

 

[mitchell65]

Try this:
Right click on the file in your projects folder and see if the "Read Only" box is checked. If it is then uncheck it ans see if you can then delete the file.

 

[AtomicSheep]

Unfortunately it's not read only and it's permissions are set to full control.

 

[mitchell65]

OK Try right clicking the file in the D drive and clicking on "Take Ownership" Then try deleting. If that fails try right clicking and choose "Rename" change the name of the file and then try to delete. I'm running out of ideas here but have you tried going into safe mode and trying to delete the file from there?

 

[AtomicSheep]

:shock: Nope nothing is working. Tried all this, still no go.

 

[AtomicSheep]

SUCCESS! I have SyncToy set up. I deleted the file from my external HDD and then ran SyncToy and it managed to delete the file! Not sure how SyncToy has more privilages than my account :huh:.

 

[mitchell65]

I deleted the file from my external HDD

I thought the file in question was stored in yur "D" drive! You said that the file was "Locked" and you couldn't delete it or edit it,. Now we hear that the file was also on an external drive. How did you manage to move the file to an external drive if it was as you said "Locked"? Presumably the use of SyncToy was the answer. Had you mentioned this earlier it could hve saved a lot of time. It is important when seeking help that you supply as much information as posssible.