Windows 10 stores your default printer preference in the Settings app under Bluetooth and Devices. If you have ever sent a document to print only to realize it went to the wrong printer, you know why learning how to set default printer windows 10 is so important. This guide walks you through every method, from the simple Settings menu to advanced Command Prompt tricks.
Most people think setting a default printer is a one-time thing. But Windows 10 has a habit of changing your default printer automatically, especially after updates or when you connect to a new network. Dont worry—we will show you how to stop that from happening too.
Why Your Default Printer Keeps Changing
Before we jump into the steps, its helpful to understand why Windows 10 sometimes ignores your preference. By default, Windows 10 has a feature called “Let Windows manage my default printer.” When this is turned on, the system automatically sets the last printer you used as the default. This is great if you move between home and office printers, but annoying if you always want the same one.
Another reason is network printers. When you connect to a different WiFi network, Windows might not remember your previous default. Printer drivers can also cause issues, especially if they are outdated or corrupted.
How To Set Default Printer Windows 10
The most straightforward way to set your default printer is through the Windows Settings app. This method works on all versions of Windows 10, including Home, Pro, and Enterprise. Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Open The Settings App
Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen. It looks like a small Windows logo. Then click the gear icon to open Settings. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings directly.
Step 2: Navigate To Bluetooth And Devices
In the Settings window, click on “Bluetooth & devices.” This option is usually near the top of the list. If you are using an older version of Windows 10, you might see “Devices” instead. Both lead to the same printer settings.
Step 3: Click On Printers And Scanners
On the left sidebar, click “Printers & scanners.” This will show you a list of all printers installed on your computer. It includes both local printers connected via USB and network printers available on your WiFi.
Step 4: Choose Your Printer
Scroll through the list and find the printer you want to set as default. Click on its name to select it. You will see a few buttons appear below the printer name, including “Manage,” “Remove device,” and “Set as default.”
Step 5: Click Set As Default
Click the “Set as default” button. You should see a message or a checkmark appear next to the printer, confirming it is now your default. Thats it—you have successfully changed your default printer.
One thing to note: if the “Set as default” button is grayed out or missing, it means Windows is managing your default printer. We will show you how to disable that in the next section.
How To Stop Windows From Changing Your Default Printer
If you keep setting your default printer only to find it changed later, you need to turn off the automatic management feature. This is a common frustration, but the fix is simple.
Disable Let Windows Manage My Default Printer
Go back to “Printers & scanners” in Settings. Scroll down until you see a checkbox that says “Let Windows manage my default printer.” Uncheck this box. Once it is unchecked, Windows will no longer automatically change your default printer based on your last used printer.
After disabling this, you can manually set your default printer using the steps above, and it will stay that way until you change it again. This is the most reliable method for keeping your prefered printer as the default.
Using Control Panel To Set Default Printer
Some people prefer the classic Control Panel interface. It works just as well and is sometimes faster if you are used to older Windows versions. Here is how to do it.
Open Control Panel
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “control” and press Enter. This opens the Control Panel. You can also search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu.
Go To Devices And Printers
In Control Panel, click on “View devices and printers” under the Hardware and Sound section. If you are using icon view, look for “Devices and Printers” directly.
Right-Click Your Printer
Find the printer you want to set as default. Right-click on its icon. A context menu will appear. Select “Set as default printer.” You will see a green checkmark appear on the printer icon, indicating it is now the default.
This method is very similar to the Settings app, but some users find it more intuitive. Either way works fine.
Setting Default Printer Using Command Prompt
For advanced users, you can set your default printer using the Command Prompt. This is useful if you are writing scripts or need to change settings remotely. It is also a good fallback if the graphical interface is not working.
Open Command Prompt As Administrator
Search for “cmd” in the Start menu. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.” Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
List All Printers
Type the following command and press Enter: wmic printer get name. This will display a list of all installed printers. Note the exact name of the printer you want to set as default. The name must match exactly, including spaces and punctuation.
Set The Default Printer
Type this command: wmic printer where name="Printer Name" call setdefaultprinter. Replace “Printer Name” with the actual name of your printer. For example, if your printer is called “HP LaserJet Pro M404n,” the command would be: wmic printer where name="HP LaserJet Pro M404n" call setdefaultprinter.
Press Enter. You should see a message saying “Method execution successful.” Your default printer is now set. This method is fast and works even if the Settings app is glitchy.
Using PowerShell To Set Default Printer
PowerShell is another powerful tool for setting your default printer. It is similar to Command Prompt but offers more flexibility. Here is how to do it.
Open PowerShell As Administrator
Search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu. Right-click on “Windows PowerShell” and select “Run as administrator.” Confirm any security prompts.
Get A List Of Printers
Type Get-Printer | Format-Table Name and press Enter. This shows all printers installed on your system. Note the exact name of your target printer.
Set The Default Printer
Type Set-Printer -Name "Printer Name" and press Enter. Replace “Printer Name” with your printer’s actual name. For example: Set-Printer -Name "Canon MG3600 series". This command sets the printer as default immediately.
PowerShell is especially useful if you need to set the default printer for multiple users or computers in a business environment. It is also a good skill to have if you work in IT.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes setting your default printer does not work as expected. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Printer Not Showing In List
If your printer is not appearing in the list, it might not be installed correctly. First, make sure the printer is turned on and connected to your computer or network. If it is a USB printer, try unplugging it and plugging it back in. For network printers, check that your computer is connected to the same WiFi network.
You can also try running the printer troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find “Printer” and run the troubleshooter. It will automatically detect and fix common issues.
Set As Default Button Grayed Out
This usually means Windows is managing your default printer. Go back to “Printers & scanners” and uncheck “Let Windows manage my default printer.” After that, the button should become active.
Default Printer Keeps Reverting
If your default printer keeps changing back to another printer, there might be a conflict with a network printer. Try removing the printer that keeps becoming default. Go to “Printers & scanners,” click on that printer, and select “Remove device.” Then set your desired printer as default again.
Another cause could be a corrupted printer driver. Uninstall the printer completely, restart your computer, and reinstall the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website.
How To Set Default Printer For Specific Apps
Did you know you can set a default printer for individual applications? This is useful if you want to print photos from one app on a photo printer and documents from another app on a laser printer.
Set Default Printer In Microsoft Word
Open Word and go to File > Print. In the printer dropdown, select the printer you want to use. Word will remember this choice for future print jobs. This setting overrides the system default for Word only.
Set Default Printer In Adobe Acrobat
Open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Go to File > Print. Choose your preferred printer from the dropdown. Click “Properties” if you want to save specific settings like paper size or orientation. Acrobat will use this printer by default for future prints.
Most applications remember your last used printer, so you only need to set it once. This is a handy workaround if you cannot change the system default for some reason.
Setting Default Printer For Network Users
If you are on a corporate network, your IT department might have set group policies that override your printer settings. In this case, you might not be able to change the default printer permanently. Contact your IT support for assistance.
However, you can still set a default printer for your user account using the methods above. The change will last until the next time group policies are applied. Some companies allow users to set their own default printer as long as it is on the approved list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Set My Default Printer In Windows 10?
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your printer and click “Set as default.” Make sure “Let Windows manage my default printer” is unchecked to keep your setting.
Why Does My Default Printer Keep Changing In Windows 10?
Windows 10 has a feature that automatically sets the last printer you used as the default. To stop this, uncheck “Let Windows manage my default printer” in the Printers & scanners settings.
Can I Set A Default Printer Using Command Prompt?
Yes. Open Command Prompt as administrator and use the command: wmic printer where name="Printer Name" call setdefaultprinter. Replace “Printer Name” with your printer’s exact name.
How Do I Remove A Printer From The Default List?
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Click on the printer you want to remove and select “Remove device.” This will uninstall the printer from your system.
What If My Printer Is Not Showing Up In The List?
Make sure the printer is turned on and connected. Run the printer troubleshooter in Settings > System > Troubleshoot. If it still does not appear, reinstall the printer driver from the manufacturer’s website.
Setting your default printer in Windows 10 is a simple task once you know where to look. Whether you use Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, the process takes less than a minute. The key is to disable automatic management if you want your choice to stick. Now you can print with confidence, knowing your documents will go to the right printer every time.