If you’re using Windows 10 or 11, there are a few things you can do to set the default printer. First, open the Control Panel and click on Printers and Printers. Then, under Printers and Scanners, select the printer you want to use as your default. Next, open the printer’s Properties dialog and set the following properties: Name: The name of the printer. This should be something like “HP LaserJet Pro M2020”. Location: The location of the printer on your computer. This should be something like “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\LpPrinters”. If this is not set, Windows will try to find it in “C:\Windows\System32\drivers” if it exists and if not, it will try to find it in “C:\Program Files (x86)\HP”. If this is not set, Windows will try to find it in “C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Hewlett-Packard”). You can also specify a network share if you want. This should be something like “\192.168.1.xxx”. If this is not set, Windows will try to find it in “\192.168.1.xxx\Hewlett-Packard”. You can also specify a specific folder if you want; for example, “\Hewlett-Packard” or “\Windows”. This should be something like “\DriverStore\FileRepository\Hewlett-Packard_10_31004_Win8_64bit_All Users”, where DriverStore is where HP stores its drivers and FileRepository is where you want to store your driver files (.inf files). Name: The name of the printer’s driver file (.inf) file location. This should be something like “\DriverStore.DEFAULT” or “\DriverStore.NTamd64” or whatever your system’s default
Set the Default Printer on Windows 10
To make a printer the default on Windows 10, first, open the Settings app. Do this by pressing Windows+i keys together.
In Settings, click “Devices.”
On the “Devices” page, in the left sidebar, click “Printers & Scanners.”
Scroll the “Printers & Scanners” page to the bottom. There, disable the “Let Windows Manage My Default Printer” option. If you keep this option enabled, Windows will not let you set the default printer.
You don’t have to do anything if that option is disabled already.
On the same page, in the “Printers & Scanners” section, click the printer you want to make the default.
In the menu that expands, click “Manage.”
Your printer’s page will open. Here, click the “Set as Default” button.
Next to “Printer Status,” you will see a “Default” message, which indicates your selected printer is now the default printer on your PC.
You’re all set.
If you use Dropbox on Windows 10, you might want to learn how to stop Dropbox from prompting you to import files.
Set the Default Printer on Windows 11
Like with Windows 10, on Windows 11, use the Settings app to make a printer the default.
Start by opening the Settings app using the Windows+i keyboard shortcut.
In Setting’s left sidebar, click “Bluetooth & Devices.”
On the right pane, click “Printers & Scanners” to view your installed printers.
Scroll down the “Printers & Scanners” page to the “Printer Preferences” section. Here, disable the “Let Windows Manage My Default Printer” option. If the option is already disabled, you don’t have to do anything.
Scroll up the page and select the printer you want to set as the default.
On the printer’s page, at the top, click the “Set as Default” button.
And that’s it. Your selected printer is now the default printer on your computer.
Going forward, all your apps will use your selected printer to print files by default. That’s one less annoyance in your digital life!
If you’re using InkJet printers, you should consider the advantages of getting a laser printer.
RELATED: Stop Buying Inkjet Printers and Buy a Laser Printer Instead
