How do I Manage Printers in Windows 10?

Managing printers in Windows 10 is straightforward, primarily done through the Settings app.

To manage your printers in Windows 10, you typically start by navigating to the devices section within the system settings. The reference provided outlines the core path: Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > select a printer > Manage. This sequence takes you directly to the specific management options for a printer you've chosen from your installed list.

Accessing Printer Management Settings

Here's a step-by-step guide based on the standard Windows 10 interface:

1. Open Settings: Click the Start button (the Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Then, click on the Settings gear icon.
2. Navigate to Devices: In the Settings window, click on the Devices category.
3. Select Printers & scanners: In the left-hand menu of the Devices screen, click on Printers & scanners.
4. Choose a Printer: You will see a list of printers installed on your system. Click on the specific printer you wish to manage.
5. Click "Manage": Once you've selected a printer, several buttons will appear below its name. Click the Manage button.

This "Manage" page for a selected printer provides various options to configure and control that specific device.

Common Printer Management Tasks

Within the "Manage" section for a printer, you'll find several useful options:

• Open print queue: View documents waiting to be printed. You can pause, resume, restart, or cancel print jobs here.
• Set as default: Make this printer the default choice for applications when you print.
• Printer properties: Access detailed technical settings, including port configuration, driver information, and advanced options. This is often where you find printer-specific settings provided by the manufacturer.
• Printing preferences: Configure default print settings like paper size, orientation, print quality (draft, normal, best), and duplex printing. These settings can often be overridden when printing from specific applications.
• Run the troubleshooter: Windows can attempt to automatically detect and fix common printing problems.
• Remove device: Uninstall the printer from your computer.

Adding and Removing Printers

While managing a specific printer is done via the steps above, the "Printers & scanners" screen itself also allows you to:

• Add a printer or scanner: Click the + Add a printer or scanner button at the top of the list to search for and install new printers (network, Bluetooth, or local).
• Remove a printer: Select the printer from the list and click the Remove device button directly on the "Printers & scanners" page (without clicking "Manage" first).

Effectively managing your printers in Windows 10 ensures smoother printing operations and helps resolve common issues efficiently.