Windows Vista forum: Weird problem with fonts being italic or bold

I just found this thread that gives instructions for fixing the issue. I haven't tried it myself yet, hence the word "potential". Check it out:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-vista-support/233328-problem-italic-fonts-everywhere-arial.html

The problem is due to the fact that the font registry entries have got corrupted. The fonts affected are Arial, Courier, Times New Roman, Marlett, Terminal etc.

The programs like IE, Outlook (in mails) and Firefox fail when they try to locate these fonts. The beauty is that these fonts still exist in the <OS drive>\windows\fonts folder.

To fix this issue follow these steps:
1. Click Start -> Run. If you cannot locate the 'Run' item, then click 'Window Key' + 'R'.
2. In the run box, type: c:\windows\fonts (Replace c: with the drive letter where the OS is installed)
3. The fonts window will open. Click 'Alt' + 'F' to activate the menu. Click 'Install New Font' in the menu.
4. In the folders dialog, browse to c:\windows\fonts where c: is the OS drive letter.
5. All fonts would now appear under 'List all fonts'.
6. Click 'Select All' and then click 'Install'.
7. Confirm the windows permission dialog.
8. A replace file dialog would appear. Click on 'Yes' to each and every dialog that appears. This will ensure that fresh entries for fonts are written in the registry. To avoid clicking, press and hold 'Alt' key - then press 'Y' key for every dialog that appears.

Please let me know if this solution doesn't work for you

The default font is Times New Roman, 16 pts

Yes, this fix worked for many of my applications, including yahoo messenger, which used to be bolded all the time and youtube.

However, the wikipedia page has been drastically changed. The font is almost unreadable, and close together. I repeated your fix several times, but still no change. My yahoo mail font has changed, but i can bear with it, as the font is readable.

Please help me with my problem, I practically worship wikipedia, on a daily basis

No, it didn't work. The font settings were already like you said. There was nothing to be changed.

I tried selecting it again anyways, but there was still no change in the wikipedia font

No, it didnt work. I restarted my computer, checked Wikipedia, and its still faulty. I installed the fonts a second time, and it was still faulty.

I already tried installing the new font , weirdly enough, your post is gone. Anyway, installing the new arial unicode MS font still doesnt work. Is there another solution?

I have the exact same problem -- the only solution I have found appart from using another browser than IE is:
1. Open the "Tools" menu in IE then select the "General" tab.
2. Select "Fonts.." then change font from "Times New Roman" to "Arial".
3 Select "Accessability".
4. Mark "Ignore fonts..."
This will set all the fonts in the browser to "Arial" -- but when in Wikipedia it will at least look quite decent. When you have finished reading Wikipedia you may undo the changes above.
This solution is in the catagory of "Desperate problems need desperate solutions".

I had this exact problem, and was able to resolve it by using my original Windows install CD (Windows 7 in my case) and 7-Zip.

Here's how:
Put your CD in the CD-Drive, open it in Explorer and go to sources. Right-click on install.wim and select 7-Zip -> Open Archive (or just drag-and drop the file onto the 7-Zip file manager).
Now in the 7-Zip file manager find your way to the Windows\Fonts folder and extract it to a directory (or your desktop, it doesn't matter). Go to the extracted directory and select all files. Right-click and click Install, be sure to replace all fonts.
Another window should appear saying that the selected font is not valid, just click Close.

Restart your computer and all fonts should be restored.

Thanks a ton for sharing your idea. It really did work...love ya lots

Cheers,
Kaushik

It happened to me in IE9 and it works there too.

Thanks Vikram.

I couldn't get the options you listed on my windows 7. Can you do an update post to help me with this issue? I get all bold font for the internet. Well, it's either bold or italicized. I have an HP slimline PC running windows 7