Connecting multiple printers to the computer, but always printing to the one that is rarely used when working. This small trouble not only wastes paper, but also further disrupts the rhythm of work. Setting it as the default printer can solve this problem once and for all.
Quickly specify in Windows settings
Open the "Start" menu and click on the gear icon to enter the "Settings" interface. Then, find and select "Bluetooth and other devices" in the left sidebar, and then click the "Printers and Scanners" option on the right. This is the core area of managing printing devices in Windows 11.
When you enter this page, you will see a list of all printers that have been added. Then click on the name of the printer you want to set as the default. Among the expanded printer administrator options, there will be a very eye-catching "Set as Default" button. Click this button to complete the settings. Here you can also turn off the system's automatic management of default printers to gain complete control.
Manage via traditional control panel
For those users who are accustomed to the operation method of the old version, the control panel is still effective. First press the Win + R keys, then type "control" and press the Enter key to open the classic style control panel. In the control panel, find and click the "View devices and printers" option. .
In the new window, all installed printers and devices will be displayed in the form of icons. Use the right mouse button to click on the printer icon you want to set, and in the pop-up menu, select the "Set as Default Printer" option. There will be a green check mark above the printer icon that is set to the default state, which is clear and easy to identify.
Precise control using the command line
If you have the need to set up batches or write scripts, the command line tool is very efficient. Open a Windows terminal or command prompt as an administrator. First, enter the command wmic printer get name to get the exact names of all printers.
After confirming the name of the printer, use the setting command rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /y /n "打印机名称" . Please be sure to replace the "printer name" in the command with the actual complete device name. There will be no obvious prompt after execution, but the default printer has been switched.
Instant selection in print dialog
Adjustments can also be made quickly when the actual printing operation begins. When you press Ctrl + P in an application (such as Word or a browser) to bring up the print dialog box, the currently selected printer will be displayed in the dialog box.
In the drop-down printer list, select the device you want to make public by default this time and in the future. Generally, below or next to the list, you can find a checkbox or link for "Set as Default Printer". Check it and confirm. This change will take effect immediately and affect the entire system.
Flexible switching with third-party software
If you often switch between many printers, such as local, network-associated, virtual PDF format printers, etc., third-party tools can provide convenience. For example, you can look for tools like "Printer Shortcut" in the Microsoft App Store. These guys can create shortcut menus on the taskbar.
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /y /n printer name
After installing this type of software and running it, a printer icon will usually be generated in the system tray area. Right-click this icon, and a list of all available printers will pop up directly. You can directly select one of them as the new default device, which is faster than the system's native method.
Check and manage the print spooler
At some point, settings appear to have no effect, which may be related to the state of the print service. At the same time, press the Win key and the R key together, type "services.msc" to open the service manager. Find the "Print Spooler" service in the service list and ensure that its status is "Running".
If you encounter problems while setting the default printer, you can try right-clicking on the service and selecting "Restart". Doing this can clear possible remaining print tasks and refresh the printer connection status, which often solves the problem of setup failure caused by service lags.
wmic printer get name
Which printer do you use most frequently in your daily work? Is it a real physical printer, or is it a virtual device like "print to PDF"? You are welcome to share the reasons for your choice in the comment area. If you find this article helpful, please like it and support it.
