Summary
Windows lets you choose how your default printer is selected. You can set a specific printer as the default or allow Windows to automatically use the last printer you used.
Select the desired mode from the following list:
Manually set the default printer
To manually choose a default printer:
Select Start
> Settings
> Bluetooth & devices
> Printers & scanners
.
Under Printer preferences, make sure Let Windows manage my default printer is turned Off.
In the list of installed printers, select the desired printer to be set as the default.
Next to the printer's name, select the Set as default button. The Printer status: under the printer's name changes to Default.
Note
If the Set as default button isn't visible next to the printer's name, make sure the setting Let Windows manage my default printer from one of the previous steps is switched Off.
Set the last printer used as the default printer
To set the last printer used as the default printer:
Select Start
> Settings
> Bluetooth & devices
> Printers & scanners
.
Under Printer preferences, make sure Let Windows manage my default printer is turned On.
Note
For mobile Windows devices, when the option Let Windows manage my default printer is switched On and the location of the Windows device changes, the default printer might change to the last printer used at the new location.
Note
- Support for Windows 10 has ended on October 14, 2025
- After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.
- Learn more
Summary
Windows lets you choose how your default printer is selected. You can set a specific printer as the default or allow Windows to automatically use the last printer you used.
Select the desired mode from the following list:
Manually set the default printer
To manually choose a default printer:
Select Start
> Settings
> Devices
> Printers & scanners
.
Make sure Let Windows manage my default printer isn't selected.
Under Printers & scanners, select the desired printer to be set as the default and then select the Manage button.
In the Manage your device window, under Printer status:, select the Set as default button. The Printer status: changes to Default.
Note
If the Set as default button isn't visible under Printer status:, make sure the setting Let Windows manage my default printer from one of the previous steps isn't selected.
Set the last printer used as the default printer
To set the last printer used as the default printer:
Select Start
> Settings
> Devices
> Printers & scanners
.
In the Printers & scanners window, make sure the option Let Windows manage my default printer is selected.
Note
For mobile Windows devices, when the option Let Windows manage my default printer is selected and the location of the Windows device changes, the default printer might change to the last printer used at the new location.
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Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows.
Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.
