When using more than one printer, Windows 10 will select the one you most recently used. It’s possible, though, that you’ll eventually wish to alter the system’s predetermined printer. In this manual, we will explain the various approaches you might take to reach your goal.
Understanding “Set Default Printer”
The Role of Default Printers
In Windows 10, the default printer is the selected printer that your operating system and applications will use by default for printing tasks. When you send a print job without specifying a printer, it will automatically be sent to the default printer.
Setting a default printer streamlines the printing process and eliminates the need to select a printer each time you print a document.
Importance of Choosing the Right Default Printer
Selecting the appropriate default printer is crucial for optimizing your workflow. For example, if you have multiple printers connected to your computer, you can set the one you use most frequently as the default to avoid unnecessary selection steps.
Additionally, setting a default printer ensures that your documents are sent to the intended printer, reducing the risk of printing sensitive or confidential information on the wrong device.
Read Also:
Windows 10: How to Make One Printer Your Primary Machine
Take a look at these many options:
- Applying the System Preferences Program
- Dialogue for printing
- Utilizing the Admin Menu
- Through the use of a Super Command Prompt
If you want to Alter the Default Printer, you can do so via the Settings app.
To make this printer your default, please follow these steps:
- To access the configuration menu, use the Windows key plus I. Alternative methods include accessing the Settings menu via the Start menu.
- Proceed to the Devices tab.
- In the left menu, select the option labelled Printers and Scanners.
- Use the switch to disable “Let Windows manage my default printer” in the right pane. After doing so, Windows will no longer automatically select a printer as the default. Before you may alter your default printer, you must do this.
- Click the printer you want to use most often in the section labelled Printers & scanners. After that, you’ll be able to peruse its available configurations. Select the Administration tab.
- In the new window that just opened, look for the “Set as default” option. Do so by clicking on the link.
When you go to print a document after completing the preceding procedures, the preferred printer will be the default option. The printer status will be displayed as “Default” on the list.
Set a New Default Printer from the Settings Menu.
One more thing you can do in the Control Panel is manage your devices and printers. How to get in touch with it is as follows:
- By hitting the Windows logo button and the letter R simultaneously, you may bring up the Run dialogue.
- To access the Control Panel, type “Control Panel” into the box and then press OK or Enter.
The Control Panel can also be accessed by typing “Control Panel” into the Start menu search field and selecting the resulting item.
- To view only small icons, you should click the cogwheel in the upper right corner of the Control Panel window (where it says “View: by”) and select “Small icons.”
- Select “Devices and Printers” from the drop-down menu.
- When the new page opens, scroll down to where it says “Printers,” then right-click on the printer you want to use. Then, select “Set as default printer” from the drop-down menu.
It’s Possible to Alter the Default Printer by Using The Print Settings Dialogue.
So, here’s what you have to do:
- To access the File menu in Notepad, open the programme.
- To bring up the Print dialogue, select Print.
- To make a specific printer the system default, right-click on it and select “Set as Default Printer” from the resulting menu.
- When you select this printer as your default, Windows will alert you that it will no longer manage your default printer. To continue, please select the “OK” button. The printer you chose becomes the system’s default printer.
“Command Line Interface (CMD): How Do I Alter the Default Printer?”
It’s simple to accomplish this. Here are the measures to take:
- If you hit the Windows logo key plus the letter X, you’ll access the menu reserved for power users.
- Follow the prompts by selecting the Command Prompt button (Admin).
- When the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, select “Yes” to continue.
- To execute this command, open a new command prompt as an administrator and paste the following line into the text box.
RUNDLL32 PRINTUI.DLL,PrintUIEntry /y /n “Printer name”
How to Automatically Change Your Default Printer to Reflect Where You Are
As was previously noted, Windows 10 allows you to automate the management of your default printer. The OS will automatically select a nearby printer as your default, which is a huge time saver.
So, while you’re at work, the default printer is the one at the office, and when you’re at home, it’s the one in the living room. Simply open the Settings app (Windows icon + I shortcut) and navigate to Devices > Printers & Scanners to activate this feature.
To accomplish this, select “Let Windows manage my default printer” and click “OK.” Once you let Windows handle your default printer, it will always utilise whichever printer has been used most recently at a given location.
At home, the default printer will be the one you most recently used. And while at work, your default printer will be the one you most recently used.
“Windows 10: Why Is It Changing My Default Printer?”
There are two possible causes if Windows keeps switching your default printer:
As a first cause, you may have selected the option to have it handle your printers automatically. If you frequently print to a printer that isn’t the default, Windows will eventually infer that you like that printer and make it the default.
Due to a malfunction, the operating system has switched to using a different printer. Some examples of these problems are broken printer wires, incompatible software, invalid entries in the registry, and other system flaws.
Read Also:
- How To Get Rid of Activate Windows
- How To Play Windows Games on Mac
- Log File C Windows System32 Logfiles SRT Srttrail TXT
Conclusion
Setting a default printer in Windows 10 is a straightforward yet essential task that can greatly improve your printing experience.
Whether you have a single printer or multiple devices, designating a default printer streamlines the printing process, reduces the likelihood of errors, and ensures that your documents are printed where they should be.
By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can easily set your preferred default printer in Windows 10, enhancing your productivity and convenience when it comes to printing tasks.
