How do I change default printer settings?

Answered by Ricardo McCardle

To change the default printer settings on your computer, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by clicking on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. This will open the Start menu.

2. From the Start menu, click on the Settings icon. It looks like a gear and is usually located above the power button.

3. In the Settings window, click on the “Bluetooth & devices” option. This will open the Bluetooth & devices settings.

4. Within the Bluetooth & devices settings, click on the “Printers & scanners” option. This will display a list of printers and scanners that are currently connected to your computer.

5. Find the printer that you want to set as the default printer. If you have multiple printers connected, you may need to scroll through the list to find the one you want.

6. Once you have located the printer, click on it to select it. You should see a few options appear beneath the printer’s name, such as “Manage” and “Remove device”.

7. Click on the “Manage” option. This will open the printer management window.

8. Within the printer management window, you should see an option to “Set as default”. Click on this option to set the selected printer as your default printer.

9. After clicking on “Set as default”, you should see a confirmation message indicating that the default printer has been changed successfully.

10. You can now close the printer management window and the Settings window. Your selected printer will now be the default printer for your computer.

It’s worth mentioning that the steps provided above may vary slightly depending on the version of Windows you are using. These steps are specifically for Windows 10, but the general process should be similar for other versions of Windows.

Changing default printer settings can be a useful task, especially if you frequently use different printers for different tasks. By setting a default printer, you can ensure that your computer automatically selects the correct printer whenever you print a document or file.

Additionally, if you have a printer that supports advanced features like double-sided printing or color settings, you can often customize these settings within the printer management window. This allows you to tailor your printing experience to your specific needs and preferences.

In my personal experience, I have had to change default printer settings on multiple occasions. For example, when I first set up my home office, I had two printers connected to my computer – one for everyday printing and one for high-quality photo printing. By setting my everyday printer as the default, I could easily print documents without having to manually select the printer each time. This saved me time and made my printing process more efficient.

Changing default printer settings is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your printing experience. Whether you have multiple printers or simply want to customize your printing options, taking the time to set a default printer can be a worthwhile endeavor.