Microsoft fonts, such as Arial and Times New Roman, are widely used in documents, and other media created using Microsoft Office applications. However, these fonts are not included by default in most Linux distributions, including Linux Mint. This can be problematic for Linux users who need to view and edit Microsoft documents or use web pages that require these fonts.
The reason Microsoft fonts are not included in Linux distributions is due to licensing restrictions. Microsoft owns the rights to these fonts, which cannot be freely distributed. However, Microsoft has released a package of fonts for Linux users called ttf-mscorefonts-installer, which contains a collection of fonts that can be used on Linux systems.
This guide will walk you through installing the Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint 21 or 20 using the ttf-mscorefonts-installer package. Once installed, you can view and use these fonts in your applications, eliminating any compatibility issues you may have experienced.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Update Linux Mint
Before we start, it’s essential to ensure that your system is up to date. Open a terminal and run the following commands:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThis will update your package list and upgrade any packages that need updating.
Step 2: Install the Microsoft Core Fonts Package
The easiest way to install Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint is to use the ttf-mscorefonts-installer package. This package contains a collection of fonts that Microsoft has released for use on Linux. To install the package, open a terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installerDuring the installation process, you will be prompted to accept the Microsoft EULA (End User License Agreement). Use the Tab key to navigate to the “OK” button and press Enter to accept the agreement.
Example:
To proceed with the installation, press the TAB key to navigate to the “Ok” button and then press the ENTER key. This will prompt you to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). Once you’ve reviewed the agreement, press the ENTER key to accept and continue with the installation process.
Example:
Step 3: Verify Microsoft Fonts Installation
Once the installation is complete, the Microsoft fonts should be available in most applications on your Linux Mint system. To confirm that the fonts are installed and available, you can launch the fonts application by following this path:
Taskbar > Accessories > Fonts.
Example:
After launching the fonts application, you can use the search function to confirm that the Microsoft fonts are installed on your system. To check the most common fonts from Microsoft, you can search for them by name. For example, you can search for “Arial” to see if it’s immediately available, which would confirm that the fonts are installed and being used correctly. Additionally, you can use the search function to check for other popular Microsoft fonts such as Calibri, Times New Roman, and Verdana.
Example of the Arial font on Linux Mint:
Example of Times New Roman font on Linux Mint:
Additional Tips
Remove (Uninstall) Microsoft Fonts
If you no longer wish to have the Microsoft fonts installed on your system, you can remove them using the following command. This command will remove the fonts for all users who have them installed:
sudo apt remove ttf-mscorefonts-installerAfter running this command, the Microsoft fonts will be uninstalled from your system and will no longer be available.
Conclusion
Now that you have installed the Microsoft fonts on your Linux Mint system, you can view Microsoft documents without any issues. This simple process will save you a lot of time and hassle. If you encounter any problems during the installation process, don’t hesitate to consult the official Linux Mint documentation or seek help from the Linux Mint community.
FAQs on Microsoft Fonts with Linux Mint
Q: Can I install other Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint?
A: Yes, you can install other Microsoft fonts by downloading the font files and placing them in the /usr/share/fonts/truetype/ directory.
Q: Do I need to restart my computer after installing the fonts?
A: No, you do not need to restart your computer. The fonts should be available immediately after installation.
Q: Will installing the Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint violate copyright laws?
A: No, installing the fonts does not violate copyright laws, and Microsoft has released these fonts for use on Linux.
Q: Can I use this method to install Microsoft fonts on other Linux distributions?
A: Yes, you can use this method to install Microsoft fonts on other Linux distributions that use the APT package manager.
Q: How do I download and install specific Microsoft fonts not included in the ttf-mscorefonts-installer package?
A: To install specific Microsoft fonts, you can download the font files from the Microsoft website and place them in the /usr/share/fonts/truetype/ directory. Once the files are in the correct directory, you can use the fc-cache command to update the font cache and make the fonts available.
Q: What other methods can I use to install Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint?
A: There are other methods to install Microsoft fonts on Linux Mint, such as using third-party package managers like Snap or Flatpak. However, the ttf-mscorefonts-installer package is the most straightforward and official method recommended by Linux Mint.
Q: Can I use Microsoft fonts for commercial purposes?
A: Yes, you can use Microsoft fonts for commercial purposes as long as you have a valid license. Some Microsoft fonts may require a separate license, so check the license agreement for each font before using it for commercial purposes.