Does installing a bunch of unnecessary fonts slow computers down?
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Several sites and blogs advise users to remove the excess fonts from their OS. Does this help in performance or is this just a myth? If it is true, why is that so?
windows macos performance fonts
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
Several sites and blogs advise users to remove the excess fonts from their OS. Does this help in performance or is this just a myth? If it is true, why is that so?
windows macos performance fonts
Why is it these blogs suggest moving the fonts? That'd be a helpful point.
– cutrightjm
Dec 18 '12 at 13:10
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
Several sites and blogs advise users to remove the excess fonts from their OS. Does this help in performance or is this just a myth? If it is true, why is that so?
windows macos performance fonts
Several sites and blogs advise users to remove the excess fonts from their OS. Does this help in performance or is this just a myth? If it is true, why is that so?
windows macos performance fonts
windows macos performance fonts
edited Dec 18 '12 at 22:12
Linger
2,764102739
2,764102739
asked Dec 18 '12 at 13:08
Fábio Perez
9441822
9441822
Why is it these blogs suggest moving the fonts? That'd be a helpful point.
– cutrightjm
Dec 18 '12 at 13:10
add a comment |
Why is it these blogs suggest moving the fonts? That'd be a helpful point.
– cutrightjm
Dec 18 '12 at 13:10
Why is it these blogs suggest moving the fonts? That'd be a helpful point.
– cutrightjm
Dec 18 '12 at 13:10
Why is it these blogs suggest moving the fonts? That'd be a helpful point.
– cutrightjm
Dec 18 '12 at 13:10
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
The reason that it is recommended is that Windows (at least, not sure about Mac and Linux) has to load font information on boot. Not only can this slow the boot process (though I don't think you would actually notice this on a modern computer) but, more importantly, each font requires an amount of in-memory storage. This is then no longer available to other OS processes and so can slow down the OS due to paging.
So on a modern computer with plenty of memory and a fast drive, you won't notice any difference under normal circumstances.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The main performance hit is not the fonts on their own, but the extended load times for applications using them (Word, Excel, Corel etc.).
Graphics-Unleashed
SourceDaddy
If you're not actively using the fonts, then why load them and consume system resources?
– da4
Dec 18 '12 at 14:41
@da4 I'm not OT, I on my own have to develop and test software with different fonts, an since I've to use chinese for testing too, a few others won't harm me.
– bummi
Dec 18 '12 at 14:55
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
From my own experience, I have to say yes, installing many fonts will slow down a system. My own anecdotal evidence is as follows:
In early 2011, I wanted to see if there was any truth as to whether a lot of fonts slowed down a system. To test it out, I used FontFrenzy on a Windows 7 machine to unload all but the fonts installed with Windows 7 by default. In all, I disabled about 250 fonts I had accumulated. That being the only change I made, my boot time (from BIOS screen to useable Desktop screen) lowered by 6 seconds (from 50 seconds to 44 seconds). Programs like Word, Photoshop, etc. felt like they loaded faster (however, I didn't actually time them).
I don't recall the exact system specs, but it was an i5 machine running Win 7 Home Premium with 6GB RAM and a 750GB Caviar Green 5400RPM drive.
The problem with anecdotal evidence like this is that I'm sure that no one is going to have the exact software/hardware setup I had. However, for the one test I ran, it cut the boot time slightly by having less fonts.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Yes it does, as windows reads all fonts on start up and must validate all fonts in:
C:windowsfonts
before resuming start up.
If you install new fonts in windows, you will experience slower boot by windows.
That is why it is recommended that you only keep the main fonts in windows listed in this link and keep also fonts you are using in special editing software like Photoshop or CorelDraw, or installed software or games on your system that require special fonts.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Just an idea:
If you need many fonts sometimes, then you'd better to have those fonts in external folder (like C:my_fonts1
) and make a symlink of those files in c:windowsfonts
, and when you close Photoshop/etc
, then you can just rename to C:my_fonts2
and then all files in windowsfonts
directory will become unusable.
add a comment |
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
The reason that it is recommended is that Windows (at least, not sure about Mac and Linux) has to load font information on boot. Not only can this slow the boot process (though I don't think you would actually notice this on a modern computer) but, more importantly, each font requires an amount of in-memory storage. This is then no longer available to other OS processes and so can slow down the OS due to paging.
So on a modern computer with plenty of memory and a fast drive, you won't notice any difference under normal circumstances.
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
The reason that it is recommended is that Windows (at least, not sure about Mac and Linux) has to load font information on boot. Not only can this slow the boot process (though I don't think you would actually notice this on a modern computer) but, more importantly, each font requires an amount of in-memory storage. This is then no longer available to other OS processes and so can slow down the OS due to paging.
So on a modern computer with plenty of memory and a fast drive, you won't notice any difference under normal circumstances.
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
up vote
3
down vote
accepted
The reason that it is recommended is that Windows (at least, not sure about Mac and Linux) has to load font information on boot. Not only can this slow the boot process (though I don't think you would actually notice this on a modern computer) but, more importantly, each font requires an amount of in-memory storage. This is then no longer available to other OS processes and so can slow down the OS due to paging.
So on a modern computer with plenty of memory and a fast drive, you won't notice any difference under normal circumstances.
The reason that it is recommended is that Windows (at least, not sure about Mac and Linux) has to load font information on boot. Not only can this slow the boot process (though I don't think you would actually notice this on a modern computer) but, more importantly, each font requires an amount of in-memory storage. This is then no longer available to other OS processes and so can slow down the OS due to paging.
So on a modern computer with plenty of memory and a fast drive, you won't notice any difference under normal circumstances.
answered Dec 18 '12 at 15:54
Julian Knight
12.9k11535
12.9k11535
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The main performance hit is not the fonts on their own, but the extended load times for applications using them (Word, Excel, Corel etc.).
Graphics-Unleashed
SourceDaddy
If you're not actively using the fonts, then why load them and consume system resources?
– da4
Dec 18 '12 at 14:41
@da4 I'm not OT, I on my own have to develop and test software with different fonts, an since I've to use chinese for testing too, a few others won't harm me.
– bummi
Dec 18 '12 at 14:55
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The main performance hit is not the fonts on their own, but the extended load times for applications using them (Word, Excel, Corel etc.).
Graphics-Unleashed
SourceDaddy
If you're not actively using the fonts, then why load them and consume system resources?
– da4
Dec 18 '12 at 14:41
@da4 I'm not OT, I on my own have to develop and test software with different fonts, an since I've to use chinese for testing too, a few others won't harm me.
– bummi
Dec 18 '12 at 14:55
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The main performance hit is not the fonts on their own, but the extended load times for applications using them (Word, Excel, Corel etc.).
Graphics-Unleashed
SourceDaddy
The main performance hit is not the fonts on their own, but the extended load times for applications using them (Word, Excel, Corel etc.).
Graphics-Unleashed
SourceDaddy
edited Dec 18 '12 at 14:52
Dave M
12.7k92838
12.7k92838
answered Dec 18 '12 at 13:23
bummi
1,50531421
1,50531421
If you're not actively using the fonts, then why load them and consume system resources?
– da4
Dec 18 '12 at 14:41
@da4 I'm not OT, I on my own have to develop and test software with different fonts, an since I've to use chinese for testing too, a few others won't harm me.
– bummi
Dec 18 '12 at 14:55
add a comment |
If you're not actively using the fonts, then why load them and consume system resources?
– da4
Dec 18 '12 at 14:41
@da4 I'm not OT, I on my own have to develop and test software with different fonts, an since I've to use chinese for testing too, a few others won't harm me.
– bummi
Dec 18 '12 at 14:55
If you're not actively using the fonts, then why load them and consume system resources?
– da4
Dec 18 '12 at 14:41
If you're not actively using the fonts, then why load them and consume system resources?
– da4
Dec 18 '12 at 14:41
@da4 I'm not OT, I on my own have to develop and test software with different fonts, an since I've to use chinese for testing too, a few others won't harm me.
– bummi
Dec 18 '12 at 14:55
@da4 I'm not OT, I on my own have to develop and test software with different fonts, an since I've to use chinese for testing too, a few others won't harm me.
– bummi
Dec 18 '12 at 14:55
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
From my own experience, I have to say yes, installing many fonts will slow down a system. My own anecdotal evidence is as follows:
In early 2011, I wanted to see if there was any truth as to whether a lot of fonts slowed down a system. To test it out, I used FontFrenzy on a Windows 7 machine to unload all but the fonts installed with Windows 7 by default. In all, I disabled about 250 fonts I had accumulated. That being the only change I made, my boot time (from BIOS screen to useable Desktop screen) lowered by 6 seconds (from 50 seconds to 44 seconds). Programs like Word, Photoshop, etc. felt like they loaded faster (however, I didn't actually time them).
I don't recall the exact system specs, but it was an i5 machine running Win 7 Home Premium with 6GB RAM and a 750GB Caviar Green 5400RPM drive.
The problem with anecdotal evidence like this is that I'm sure that no one is going to have the exact software/hardware setup I had. However, for the one test I ran, it cut the boot time slightly by having less fonts.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
From my own experience, I have to say yes, installing many fonts will slow down a system. My own anecdotal evidence is as follows:
In early 2011, I wanted to see if there was any truth as to whether a lot of fonts slowed down a system. To test it out, I used FontFrenzy on a Windows 7 machine to unload all but the fonts installed with Windows 7 by default. In all, I disabled about 250 fonts I had accumulated. That being the only change I made, my boot time (from BIOS screen to useable Desktop screen) lowered by 6 seconds (from 50 seconds to 44 seconds). Programs like Word, Photoshop, etc. felt like they loaded faster (however, I didn't actually time them).
I don't recall the exact system specs, but it was an i5 machine running Win 7 Home Premium with 6GB RAM and a 750GB Caviar Green 5400RPM drive.
The problem with anecdotal evidence like this is that I'm sure that no one is going to have the exact software/hardware setup I had. However, for the one test I ran, it cut the boot time slightly by having less fonts.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
From my own experience, I have to say yes, installing many fonts will slow down a system. My own anecdotal evidence is as follows:
In early 2011, I wanted to see if there was any truth as to whether a lot of fonts slowed down a system. To test it out, I used FontFrenzy on a Windows 7 machine to unload all but the fonts installed with Windows 7 by default. In all, I disabled about 250 fonts I had accumulated. That being the only change I made, my boot time (from BIOS screen to useable Desktop screen) lowered by 6 seconds (from 50 seconds to 44 seconds). Programs like Word, Photoshop, etc. felt like they loaded faster (however, I didn't actually time them).
I don't recall the exact system specs, but it was an i5 machine running Win 7 Home Premium with 6GB RAM and a 750GB Caviar Green 5400RPM drive.
The problem with anecdotal evidence like this is that I'm sure that no one is going to have the exact software/hardware setup I had. However, for the one test I ran, it cut the boot time slightly by having less fonts.
From my own experience, I have to say yes, installing many fonts will slow down a system. My own anecdotal evidence is as follows:
In early 2011, I wanted to see if there was any truth as to whether a lot of fonts slowed down a system. To test it out, I used FontFrenzy on a Windows 7 machine to unload all but the fonts installed with Windows 7 by default. In all, I disabled about 250 fonts I had accumulated. That being the only change I made, my boot time (from BIOS screen to useable Desktop screen) lowered by 6 seconds (from 50 seconds to 44 seconds). Programs like Word, Photoshop, etc. felt like they loaded faster (however, I didn't actually time them).
I don't recall the exact system specs, but it was an i5 machine running Win 7 Home Premium with 6GB RAM and a 750GB Caviar Green 5400RPM drive.
The problem with anecdotal evidence like this is that I'm sure that no one is going to have the exact software/hardware setup I had. However, for the one test I ran, it cut the boot time slightly by having less fonts.
answered Dec 18 '12 at 14:56
Trav
788520
788520
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Yes it does, as windows reads all fonts on start up and must validate all fonts in:
C:windowsfonts
before resuming start up.
If you install new fonts in windows, you will experience slower boot by windows.
That is why it is recommended that you only keep the main fonts in windows listed in this link and keep also fonts you are using in special editing software like Photoshop or CorelDraw, or installed software or games on your system that require special fonts.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Yes it does, as windows reads all fonts on start up and must validate all fonts in:
C:windowsfonts
before resuming start up.
If you install new fonts in windows, you will experience slower boot by windows.
That is why it is recommended that you only keep the main fonts in windows listed in this link and keep also fonts you are using in special editing software like Photoshop or CorelDraw, or installed software or games on your system that require special fonts.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Yes it does, as windows reads all fonts on start up and must validate all fonts in:
C:windowsfonts
before resuming start up.
If you install new fonts in windows, you will experience slower boot by windows.
That is why it is recommended that you only keep the main fonts in windows listed in this link and keep also fonts you are using in special editing software like Photoshop or CorelDraw, or installed software or games on your system that require special fonts.
Yes it does, as windows reads all fonts on start up and must validate all fonts in:
C:windowsfonts
before resuming start up.
If you install new fonts in windows, you will experience slower boot by windows.
That is why it is recommended that you only keep the main fonts in windows listed in this link and keep also fonts you are using in special editing software like Photoshop or CorelDraw, or installed software or games on your system that require special fonts.
answered Feb 28 '15 at 9:45
Ashraf Abusada
18916
18916
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Just an idea:
If you need many fonts sometimes, then you'd better to have those fonts in external folder (like C:my_fonts1
) and make a symlink of those files in c:windowsfonts
, and when you close Photoshop/etc
, then you can just rename to C:my_fonts2
and then all files in windowsfonts
directory will become unusable.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Just an idea:
If you need many fonts sometimes, then you'd better to have those fonts in external folder (like C:my_fonts1
) and make a symlink of those files in c:windowsfonts
, and when you close Photoshop/etc
, then you can just rename to C:my_fonts2
and then all files in windowsfonts
directory will become unusable.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Just an idea:
If you need many fonts sometimes, then you'd better to have those fonts in external folder (like C:my_fonts1
) and make a symlink of those files in c:windowsfonts
, and when you close Photoshop/etc
, then you can just rename to C:my_fonts2
and then all files in windowsfonts
directory will become unusable.
Just an idea:
If you need many fonts sometimes, then you'd better to have those fonts in external folder (like C:my_fonts1
) and make a symlink of those files in c:windowsfonts
, and when you close Photoshop/etc
, then you can just rename to C:my_fonts2
and then all files in windowsfonts
directory will become unusable.
answered Dec 7 at 22:31
T.Todua
1,40731628
1,40731628
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Why is it these blogs suggest moving the fonts? That'd be a helpful point.
– cutrightjm
Dec 18 '12 at 13:10