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How to install a font manager

These steps work for NexusFont, FontBase, MainType, FontExpert and Suitcase Fusion. Differences between the tools are noted along the way.

Before you start

  • Check your Windows version: press Win + R, type winver and press Enter. Compare the result with the supported versions table.
  • Check 32-bit or 64-bit: go to Settings > System > About > System type. Suitcase Fusion and current FontBase builds need 64-bit Windows.
  • Admin rights: some installers need an administrator account, especially if fonts will be installed for all users.
  • Back up your fonts: copy any custom fonts you care about to a separate folder before you reorganize anything.

Installation steps

  1. Get the installer from the official developer

    Type the developer's address from our Download page into your browser. Avoid download portals and ads that say "Download now". They often serve bundled installers.

  2. Run the setup file

    Open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file (usually .exe or .msi). If User Account Control asks "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?", check that the verified publisher matches the developer, then click Yes.

    If SmartScreen appears for a smaller freeware tool, click More info and check the file name and publisher. Only click Run anyway if you downloaded the file from the official site yourself.

  3. Follow the setup wizard

    Accept the license agreement and keep the default install folder (C:\Program Files\...) unless you have a reason to change it. Untick any optional extras you don't want.

  4. First launch and library setup

    Start the font manager. Most tools ask where your fonts live. Point it at a dedicated folder such as D:\Fonts or Documents\Fonts, not at C:\Windows\Fonts. The next page covers this in detail: Setup and configuration.

  5. Test it

    Activate one font in the manager, open WordPad, Word or your design app, and check that the font appears in the font list. If it doesn't, see Installation issues.

Portable versions

NexusFont is also offered as a portable ZIP that needs no installation, which is handy on a USB stick or on a PC where you can't install software.

  1. Right-click the downloaded ZIP > Properties. If you see an Unblock checkbox, tick it and click OK. This stops Windows from treating every extracted file as untrusted.
  2. Right-click > Extract All… to a folder you own, such as C:\Tools\NexusFont. Don't extract it into Program Files, because portable apps need to write their settings next to the executable.
  3. Run the .exe from that folder and optionally pin it to Start.

Installing with winget

Windows 10 and 11 include the Windows Package Manager. It installs apps from the command line, using the publisher's own installer. Open Terminal and search for the tool first:

# find the package and check its publisher winget search NexusFont # install it winget install xiles.NexusFont # later: update everything winget manages winget upgrade --all

Package IDs can change. Always check the Publisher column in the search results before you install.

Per-product notes

Font managerAdmin rightsThings to know
NexusFontInstaller: yes. Portable: no.Fonts loaded in NexusFont are only active while it runs, unless you install them.
FontBaseUsually noInstalls per user and updates itself. At first launch you choose a root folder for your fonts.
MainTypeYesChoose Free or enter a license key on first run. The first scan of a large library can take a while.
FontExpertYesTrial first, then register. Run a check for damaged fonts after the first scan.
Suitcase FusionYesNeeds an Extensis account sign-in. Install the plug-ins only for apps you actually use.

Installing fonts afterwards

You now have two ways to make a font usable:

  • Activate (temporary) in the font manager. The font is available until you deactivate it or close the manager. This keeps Windows fast and suits most project fonts.
  • Install (permanent) into Windows. The font is always available, including to Windows itself. Use this for fonts you use every day.
Tip

In Windows 10 (1809+) and 11, right-click a font file and choose Install to install it for your account only, or Install for all users (needs admin) to put it in C:\Windows\Fonts.

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