Buried in the windows directory is a program - Windows/System32/fontview.exe.
When I try to launch this program I get an error that says "This is not a valid font". Well that I know!!! Is there something special I have to do to launch this program or is it just sitting there useless.
Thanks for any help
Loopy
Welcome to TenForums @Loopygram
fontview.exe is not meant to be run on it's own, it expects to be called with a parameter specifying a font file. As you tried to run it with no name for a font file it's saying that a font with no name isn't a valid font file. It's normally called by the system when you click 'preview' in Fonts in the Control Panel.
Try opening a command prompt and type: fontview arial.ttf
Oh ok. well thats not what I want then. I want a viewer so I can see installed fonts as well as fonts I haven't installed. I will continue to look.
Thank you for your reply
Loopy
You've already got one - it's called File Explorer. Because the file association for all font types is to open with fontview.exe, all you have to do is right-click on a font file. The default action is 'Preview' using fontview.
Your installed fonts are in C:\Windows\Fonts. Look at that with File Explorer and it has a special view for that folder - the same one you see in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Fonts.
Yes I know file explorer does that but still not exactly what I'm wanting. I have downloaded Nexus Font and it seems to be more what I'm looking for. Thank you for your input and your help.
Gizmo's Freeware is a "usually reliable" source for free software (that means it's virus-free, adware-free, and usually does what it says it's supposed to do). They have a May, 2016 item entitled "Best Free Font Manager" that lists over half-a-dozen programs that will let you examine fonts already installed on your system, and also to preview fonts that you may wish to add to your collection. Since I believe that's the kind of tool you're seeking, you may find this of interest. That said, I've used none of these programs and can vouch for none of them based on direct personal experience. Tread carefully as you investigate these offerings, therefore.
Hope this helps!
--Ed--
I used to use the Windows "Charmap.exe" to view available character glyphs in fonts on my system, but with the increasing use of fonts as part of the Windows user interface, the display on Charmap is just too small to adequately view the character until you select it to give an enlargement, and then the enlarged popup of the character obscures several adjacent glyphs, annoyingly with no option to dismiss the enlargement.
Despite many freeware utilities that have attempted to offer alternatives to Charmap over the years, few come close to the simplicity and ease of use of the Windows applet.
However, on the Windows 10 Store, I found this:
This app is really clear and easy to view compared with the traditional Charmap:
Thanks everyone for your input. I downloaded Nexus Font from Gizmos and I think it will do the trick.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all
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