How to Change Default System Font in Windows 11

Windows 11 uses “Segoe UI Variable” as its default system font for dialogue boxes, menus, and interface elements. While the Settings app allows you to install and manage fonts, it does not include a direct toggle to alter the system-wide interface font. This guide explains how to safely replace the default system dialogue font across Windows 11 by creating and applying a simple Windows Registry modification file, as well as how to restore the original font if needed.

Step 1: Find the Exact Name of Your New Font

Before modifying the registry, determine the exact system name of the font you wish to use.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Navigate to Personalization > Fonts.
  3. Browse the list and click on the font you want to set as the default.
  4. Note down the exact name listed under Font name (for example: Arial, Calibri, or Tahoma).

Step 2: Create the Registry Modification File

Windows 11 requires a registry script to remap default font substitutions.

  1. Open Notepad from the Start Menu.
  2. Paste the following text into the blank document:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Custom-delayed (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
"Segoe UI"="NEW_FONT_NAME"
  1. Replace NEW_FONT_NAME in the last line with the exact font name you identified in Step 1 (e.g., "Segoe UI"="Tahoma").
  2. Click File > Save As.
  3. Set Save as type to All Files (.).
  4. Name the file change-font.reg and save it to your Desktop.

Step 3: Apply the Registry Change

  1. Double-click the change-font.reg file on your Desktop.
  2. Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control (UAC).
  3. Click Yes when the Registry Editor prompts you to confirm adding the information, then click OK.
  4. Restart your computer to apply the changes across all system dialogue windows and menus.

How to Restore the Default Windows 11 Font

To revert back to the original Segoe UI system font at any time:

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Paste the following code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Segoe UI (TrueType)"="segoeui.ttf"
"Segoe UI Black (TrueType)"="seguibl.ttf"
"Segoe UI Black Italic (TrueType)"="seguibli.ttf"
"Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"="segoeuib.ttf"
"Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuiz.ttf"
"Segoe UI Emoji (TrueType)"="seguiemj.ttf"
"Segoe UI Historic (TrueType)"="seguihis.ttf"
"Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuii.ttf"
"Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"="segoeuil.ttf"
"Segoe UI Light Italic (TrueType)"="seguili.ttf"
"Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"="seguisb.ttf"
"Segoe UI Semibold Italic (TrueType)"="seguisbi.ttf"
"Segoe UI Semilight (TrueType)"="segoeuisl.ttf"
"Segoe UI Semilight Italic (TrueType)"="seguisli.ttf"
"Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"="seguisym.ttf"
"Segoe MDL2 Assets (TrueType)"="segmdl2.ttf"
"Segoe UI Variable (TrueType)"="SegUIVar.ttf"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
"Segoe UI"=-
  1. Save the file as restore-font.reg with Save as type set to All Files (.).
  2. Run the file, confirm the prompts, and restart your computer.