How to Set or Change the Default Printer in Windows 10
How to Set or Change the Default Printer in Windows 10
Setting or changing the default printer in Windows 10 is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through the steps to configure and manage your default printer for all applications, including Microsoft Word.
What is a Default Printer?
A default printer is the printer that gets used by default when printing a document or file. You can change the default printer in Windows so that it is automatically used for printing by all applications.
Setting the Default Printer
To set or change the default printer in Windows 10, follow these detailed steps:
Open Settings: Press the Windows key, then type "Printers scanners" and select Printers scanners. This will open the Printers scanners settings. Manage Printers: On the left-hand side of the Printers scanners settings, click on Printer settings. Select Your Printer: In the list of printers, locate the one you want to set as the default and click on it. Set as Default: At the top of the printer settings page, you will see a section called Printer defaults. Here, you can click the Set as default button to set the printer as the default.Managing Printer Preferences
The Manage your device section allows you to set default printing preferences for most printers. From here, you can specify:
Paper type Print quality Paper sourceThese settings will be applied automatically each time you print, saving you the trouble of setting them individually every time.
Changing the Default Printer for a Specific Application
While the default printer set in Windows will be used by applications like Microsoft Word, you can also change the printer used by a specific application. Here's how:
Open Microsoft Word and go to the File menu. Choose Print: Select Print from the menu. Select Printer: In the print dialog box, you can change the printer to your preferred one. Set as Default: If you want this printer to be the default for Word, choose Settings, then select the printer you just chose and set it as the default here.Conclusion
Setting or changing the default printer in Windows 10 involves a few straightforward steps that can be done through the Settings app. This can significantly streamline the printing process, ensuring that your preferred printer is always used by default. Remember, while the system default printer affects all applications, you can also manage printer settings on an application-by-application basis for more control.