How To Set Default Printer Windows 11 -

Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin) .

Press Windows + R , type control printers , and press Enter. This opens the Devices and Printers window directly. how to set default printer windows 11

Disable “Let Windows manage my default printer” only if you truly use one printer 99% of the time. Otherwise, let Windows 11 handle it intelligently per location. Now you can print confidently, knowing your documents will always go to the right device. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal

Optional: If you want a printer to be available but never used as default, click on it and select “Stop printing” to hide it from the main list. The old Control Panel still works and gives a different visual overview. Disable “Let Windows manage my default printer” only

This guide covers to set your default printer in Windows 11, along with troubleshooting tips for common issues. Before You Begin: Understanding Windows 11’s Default Printer Behavior By default, Windows 11 enables “Let Windows manage my default printer.” When active, this feature automatically sets your default printer to the last printer you used in the current location (e.g., work vs. home). If you want a fixed, unchanging default printer, you must disable this setting first. Method 1: Using Windows Settings (Easiest & Recommended) This is the standard method for most users.

To see all installed printers, type: