TTFPurge On-line Help

What does TTFPurge do?

Checking for unused TrueType Font files

Removing unused TrueType font files

Registering your copy of TTFPurge

If you find TTFPurge useful, please register.  If you have problems, please phone (800) 366-3311, or use Compuserve 71542, 2217.


What Does TTFPurge Do?

It is relatively easy to install a large number of TrueType fonts into Windows.  Many users do this initially, then find that the performance of their applications is degraded by the large number of fonts.  Also many of the fonts installed in the initial burst of curiosity are never used.

As a result, weeding out of unwanted fonts is often done.  This will usually be done through the fonts applet of the control panel.  This allows the files to be purged when the fonts are removed from Windows' font table.  But it is tedious to use, particularly if several fonts are removed at the same time.  Also an "I may need this later" attitude may lead to the files being left where they are.

Sooner or later, disk space will become a consideration, and at that point it is difficult to identify which files are wasting disk space.  The file names dont necessarily correspond to font names, and in any case sorting through a lot of file names is an error prone purpose.  TTFPurge does this automatically.  Since TTFPurge is concerned with disk space, it is a tiny program which won't do more harm than good!

The Windows font table is maintained in WIN.INI, which has a list of the font names and their corresponding .FOT files.  With each .FOT file there is an associated .TTF file.

TTFPurge examines the WIN.INI file to build a list of the file names which are in use.  It then checks each .FOT file in the Windows system directory to see if it is in use (in the list).  It builds a list of the file names (without extension) which are not in use.

So when TTFPurge starts up what you see are two list boxes.  One contains the names of the fonts in your Windows font table - in alphabetical order.  The other contains file names of TrueType font files which are not used by your current set up.  If you just wanted to check, exit from TTFPurge when you have examined the lists.  To remove the unused files choose the Purge and Exit option from the File menu.


Checking for Unused TruType font files
Checking for Unused TrueType Font Files

Simply run TTFPurge.  You will see two list boxes.  The one on the left, titled Fonts in Use, shows the fonts in your Windows font table which are available to applications.  The list on the right, titled Files to Purge, shows the file names of .FOT and .TTF file pairs which are eligible for purging, that is not used in the font table.

You can traverse the lists in the usual way, using the scroll bars etc.

When you are content, exit from TTFPurge using either the Exit option from the File menu, or the Close option from the System menu.


Removing Unused TrueType Font Files

Simply run TTFPurge.  You will see two list boxes.  The one on the left, titled Fonts in Use, shows the fonts in your Windows font table which are available to applications.  The list on the right, titled Files to Purge, shows the file names of .FOT and .TTF file pairs which are eligible for purging, that is not used in the font table.

If there are files to purge listed in the right hand box, you can delete them from your Windows system directory by choosing the Purge and Exit option from the File Menu.

Please note that when you choose this option the files are deleted without any further warning.  Before you choose this option you should check that you have the fonts on floppy disk or somewhere else so that you can re-install them if they are needed.


Registering your copy of TTFPurge

The registration fee for TTFPurge is $5.

Please send your registration fee, name and address, telephone number, and if applicable your Compuserve number to:

SoftCentre Inc

30 Petersburg Road

Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Alternatively you can FAX us a VISA/Mastercard confirmation with your signature, card number and expiration date, or phone (908) 850-3311 to pay using your VISA/Mastercard.