How to Use Apple Fonts on Windows 11

Why Replace Windows Fonts

Windows 11's Fluent Design has become increasingly closer to macOS in visual style, but the default font remains Microsoft YaHei. When you put them side by side, something still feels off. I've gone through a few rounds of font replacement myself, and I've put together the process for anyone else who wants to tinker with it.

Microsoft YaHei and Segoe UI aren't bad fonts by any measure, but on high‑DPI screens, they have a different character compared to Apple's PingFang SC or SF Pro. Apple fonts feel cleaner and more modern, which becomes especially noticeable on 4K displays.

PingFang is Apple's typeface designed specifically for Chinese users, maintaining consistency with the San Francisco style. SF Pro is primarily used for Latin characters. Applying both of these fonts to Windows gives the system interface a more refined look.

One thing to be clear about up front: SF Pro does not include Chinese characters. If you only install SF Pro without PingFang, the system will fall back to other fonts for Chinese text, which won't look good. So if you want a complete replacement, PingFang is essential.

Also, while PingFang is an excellent typeface on its own, it doesn't perform at its full potential on Windows. In some applications, you might notice blurry glyphs or distorted edges. We'll cover how to improve this with MacType later.

Before You Start

A few things to take care of before diving in:

• System version: Windows 11 or Windows 10 will both work.
• Font files: You'll need the .ttf or .otf files for PingFang SC and SF Pro.
• Back up the Registry: Press Win + R, type regedit, open the Registry Editor, and go to File → Export to back up the entire registry. This is important – you'll thank yourself later if something goes wrong.

Step 1: Install Apple Fonts

Download the PingFang and SF Pro font files. After extracting them, do not double‑click to install. Instead, select all the font files, right‑click, and choose "Install for all users".

This step is crucial – if you only install for the current user, the system may not be able to read the fonts during boot due to permission issues, which can cause garbled text or missing characters in the interface.

Once installed, open Windows Settings → Personalization → Fonts, search for "PingFang" to confirm the font is correctly installed, and note the exact display name (usually PingFang SC).

The PingFang font package typically includes six weights (Light, Regular, Medium, etc.). I'd recommend installing all of them so the system can use the appropriate weight for different contexts.

Step 2: Modify the Registry to Replace System Fonts

Windows 11 no longer provides a direct way to change system fonts through the Control Panel – you need to go through the Registry.

Create a new text file on your desktop and paste the following code into it:

 Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts] "Microsoft YaHei & Microsoft YaHei UI (TrueType)"="" "Microsoft YaHei Bold & Microsoft YaHei UI Bold (TrueType)"="" "Microsoft YaHei Light & Microsoft YaHei UI Light (TrueType)"="" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes] "Microsoft YaHei"="PingFang SC" "Microsoft YaHei UI"="PingFang SC"

Note: If the font name you installed isn't PingFang SC, replace the value after the equals sign in the last two lines with the actual font name.

Save the file and change its extension from .txt to .reg (for example, replace-with-apple-font.reg). Double‑click the file to run it, and click "Yes" on the warning prompt.

Restart your computer, and the system UI fonts – menus, context menus, File Explorer, and more – will be replaced with Apple fonts.

Step 3: Improve Font Rendering with MacType

After installing the font files, there's one often‑overlooked issue: Windows and macOS use completely different font rendering engines. Apple's fonts are designed for macOS's CoreText engine – when rendered directly with ClearType, the edges can sometimes look thin or slightly jagged.

If you're particular about UI typography, you can pair it with MacType, a free open‑source tool. It intercepts Windows GDI/DirectWrite rendering and applies anti‑aliasing similar to what you'd see on macOS.

MacType supports Windows 11. After installation, select "MacTray standalone loading" mode in the MacType wizard, then choose a suitable configuration profile. If you want MacType to handle all applications automatically, you can choose "Registry loading" mode.

Once MacType is installed with the "MacType Default" or "iOS Style" profile, the PingFang font will appear fuller and smoother.

Default Font vs Apple Font

How to Restore Default Fonts

If you decide the Apple fonts aren't right for you, or you run into compatibility issues, you can restore the defaults:

• Method 1: In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes and delete the Microsoft YaHei and Microsoft YaHei UI entries.
• Method 2: If you backed up the registry earlier, double‑click the backup file to restore it.
• Method 3: Change the two values under FontSubstitutes back to Microsoft YaHei and Microsoft YaHei UI.

Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

FAQ

Can I install PingFang SC on Windows 11?

Yes, but system‑wide replacement requires Registry modifications.

Which is better: SF Pro or PingFang SC?

SF Pro is optimised for Latin characters, while PingFang SC is designed specifically for Chinese. If you mainly use Chinese interface, PingFang is the better choice.

Will replacing fonts damage my system?

No, but backing up the Registry beforehand is highly recommended.

What if some applications display incorrectly?

Some applications may not fully support PingFang SC and could have display issues. You can try setting fonts individually within those apps, or use MacType to improve rendering.

What about web pages displaying incorrectly?

Some websites specify font priorities in their CSS. If PingFang SC is installed, browsers may use it by default, which could cause layout issues. You can adjust the default font in your browser settings or use extensions like Stylus to force specific fonts.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, tinkering with fonts is about making the text you stare at every day a little more comfortable to read. Apple fonts aren't perfect on their own, and they need MacType to perform at their best on Windows. But for those who enjoy customising their desktop experience, the visual improvement from these steps is well worth the effort.