I downloaded a freeware group of fonts and did the following:

Start>Control Panel>Fonts>File>INSTALL New Font

I went to the folder I stored the fonts in and clicked on the font I wanted to add to my OS.  When I clicked on OK, I get two boxes: 1) an Install Font Progress BOX and then over that 2) Window Fonts Folder box which says: "The True Type file is currently being used and cannot be replaced.  Wait until Windows is finished using the file, and then try again."

When I click on OK for the second dialogue, the first box immediately goes to 100% (installed) but it does not show up as a choice in Word or Photoshop (where I really want to use it).  Why am I getting the message saying Windows is using the font file?becuase you have a font with the same name already installed.So renamed the new font. Like if it was Tahoma, call it Tahoma2.I don't understand either of these responses.  If I already had the font, why would I download it again and not just use it? I don't already have the font. 

And I can open the font file when I right-click it and choose "open".  It is a True Type file that seems to WORK correctly.Where did these fonts come from ? ? Quote from: jonnyD on October 04, 2009, 09:40:14 AM

If I already had the font, why would I download it again and not just use it?

I found the solution when I was trawling around Google: the user on my computer did not have administrator rights.  As soon as I added administrator rights, voila!, the font was added to the fonts folder and I used it immediately in Photoshop.  

Thanks for your efforts