Fix Windows 10 changing default printer

Fix Windows 10 changing default printer. Have you noticed your Default printer keeps changing on its own when you have multiple printers configured on your computer? This is because of a new Windows 10 feature called “Let Windows manage my default printer” to automatically set your most recently used printer as default. While this may be helpful for some users, many others may prefer to set the default printer manually. If you are looking to prevent windows from changing the default printer, You can do this from Windows settings or using Windows registry editor.

 

Fix Windows 10 changing default printer

When a device changes on its own, it’s usually because there’s a setting On Windows 10 PC that allows the device to be changed to the most appropriate device it deems worthy. Follow the steps below to Turn off Windows manage my default printer preferences.

  • Press Windows + I to open Settings .
  • Click Devices and then choose Printer & Scanners .
  • This interface allows you to select the printer and set it as the default, or remove the device.
  • Select your printer, Click Manage  and select Set as default.
    Now scroll down a bit until you see the setting Let Windows manage my default printer.
  • When this setting is On, the default printer is the most recently used printer.
  • Make sure this option is unchecked.

Note: This option is not available in Windows 8’s Devices app, it’s new to Windows 10.

 Let Windows manage my default printer.
Let Windows manage my default printer.

Set your default printer in Windows 10

Now set your default printer. You’ll see the entire list of printers slightly above this setting. Select the printer and click the Set as default button . It will show a green tick/check mark.

  • Windows 10 won’t change it again, even if you use another printer.
  • If it’s a wireless printer, make sure it’s connected to your wireless network.
  • The easiest way to do this is to do the wireless setup again.
  • If it’s wired via the USB Port, run the printer’s setup and add the printer again. (this will automatically) install the drivers.
  • Open Settings then go to Devices > Printers and Scanners Set “Let Windows manage my default printer” to Off

Check your Sync settings

If the above setting turns on automatically after a while or after a reboot, check your Sync settings. If the “ Other Windows settings ” option is enabled in the Sync settings page , Windows will synchronize your printer, mouse, keyboard, and other settings.

Open Settings  ( WinKey + i ), click Accounts , select Sync your settings then Disable Other Windows settings button .

Tweak the Windows Registry to set the default printer

If for some reason the above solution doesn’t work for you, here’s a tweak to the windows registry that prevents windows as the default printer from continuing to change.

  • Press Windows + R , type regedit and ok to open the registry editor.
  • Backup the Registry Database, then navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWindows
  • Change the value of LegacyDefaultPrinterMode from 0 to 1.
  • After doing this, Restart windows and reset your default printer.
registry that prevents windows as the default printer
registry that prevents windows as the default printer
Change the value of LegacyDefaultPrinterMode
Change the value of LegacyDefaultPrinterMode

If this doesn’t fix the issue then again open Registry Editor and navigate to the following path:

HKEY_USERS\USERS_SID\Printers\Connections
HKEY_USERS\USERS_SID\Printers\Settings

Delete all the entries in Connections and Settings under Printers

Delete all the entries present inside these keys and then navigate to:

HKEY_USERS\USERS_SID\Printers\Defaults

Delete the DWORD DisableDefault in the right-hand side window and again set your default Printer.

Reboot your PC to save the above settings.

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