Ubuntu Tips: 1 - Install Microsoft Windows Fonts
This article instructs the read how to install the Microsoft Core Fonts on their Ubuntu Linux computer
Author: Matthew Wittering | Published: 21st October 2009
When I first start browsing the Internet on a Linux computer I am disappointed with the initially available fonts. You can remedy this situation very quickly and install the core Microsoft fonts which include: Arial, Times New Roman, Trebuchet and Verdana.
Installing the new fonts is a very simple exercise. Below you can see the three steps required to complete the installation. Depending upon the speed of your system and the Internet connection you will be complete within a couple or three minutes. You do require the administrator password to complete this modification.
Step 1 - Installation
Open your terminal application and paste the following into the command prompt. This command uses the sudo function to temporary provide users administrative privileges. We uses the sudo function to user apt-get to install msttcorefonts. The -y parameter is used to automatically answer yes for any yes / no questions.
$ sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts -y
Once the command has finished and an empty command prompt is returned you will have successfully installed the Microsoft Windows fonts.
Step 2 - Reload the font cache
If you would like to make the fonts available with out logging out and then logging in again you can use the following command to reload the font cache.
$ sudo fc-cache -fv
Now you can enjoy open source applications with all the fonts and type faces you are familiar with on Microsoft Windows computer.
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence
I am a graduate of Lougborough University where I read Computing and Management BSc (Hons) earning a 2:1 classification.