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max number of fonts?

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11 replies

by jon_w31

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is there a maximum number of fonts that can be installed on a windows 98 machine. I have been told you cannot install more than 300? I have a customer who has 600 fonts installed and is having problems. He wishes to install a further 600. If there is a maximum can this be worked around or do later versions of windows support a greater number?

11 replies

by thechas

Every installed font uses some system resources.
So, there is a practical limit for system functionality.
However, it is not a set number, as some fonts use more resources than others.

My W98 box has 646 installed fonts at this moment.

Many programs install fonts without asking. And, I am sure that many fonts are never used.

One possible work-around would be to maximize the available resources for this customer.
Start with maxing out the RAM. I recommend a maximum of 448MB for W98 systems (1-256, 1-128, 1-64) This avoids the 512MB and 1GB memory bugs in 98.

Then, have at least 2GB available for the swap file. Installing a second fast hard drive for just the swap file would be best.

Finish up by disableing as many tray and back ground programs as possible.
Explain to the customer that they can't have both large numbers of fonts, and lots of tray programs.

Chas

by syscokid

The number is approximately 1000. Here's the explanation:

support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q131943

by lizzy

Installing too many fonts on a pc can slow it down or cause other resource related problems. There happens to be an article in TechPro Guild today that discusses just this topic.

https://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=t01220020829shu01.htm&page=1&vf=df

There are no spaces in the URL. E-mail me via TechRepublic if you need me to e-mail the article to you.

It basically discusses the size limit of the registry to 64KB as the reason that the number of fonts are limited in Windows 95\98. There are no limits in advanced OS's like Windows 2000 and XP.
HTH

by tobin

Refer to the following TechNet article to assess if the PC is exceeding the allowable font limit:

TrueType Font Limits in Windows 95/98/Me [Q131943]

A font manager has been able to relieve my issues with fonts on 95 and 98 workstations. AdobeType Manager Deluxe was the choice that I made.

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