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Quick Answer

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, turn OFF Let Windows manage my default printer, then click your preferred printer and select Set as default.

How to Manage Default Printers and Print Settings on Windows ​

Applies to: Windows 11, Windows 10
Article Type: How-To
Last Updated: 2026-06-17

Summary ​

This article shows you how to set a default printer, configure common print settings (double-sided, color vs. black-and-white, paper size), and prevent Windows from automatically switching your default printer when you move between locations.

Prerequisites ​

  • Windows 11 or Windows 10.
  • At least one printer already installed and visible in your printer list.
  • No admin rights required for any steps in this guide.

Instructions ​

1. Turn Off "Let Windows Manage My Default Printer" ​

By default, Windows automatically changes your default printer to the last one you used. This is the #1 reason people print to the wrong device. Turn this off first.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and find the toggle labeled Let Windows manage my default printer.
  4. Turn the toggle Off.

Why this matters: With this setting on, Windows changes your default printer every time you print to a different device. Turning it off ensures your chosen default stays locked in.

2. Set Your Default Printer ​

Once automatic management is off, set the printer you use most often as your default.

  1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, find the printer you want as your default.
  2. Click the printer name to open its settings page.
  3. Click Set as default.
  4. A label reading Default appears under the printer name.

Verification: Open any application (Word, a web browser, Notepad), press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog, and confirm your chosen printer appears as the selected device.

3. Set Up Double-Sided (Duplex) Printing ​

Save paper by configuring your printer to print on both sides by default.

  1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click the printer you want to configure.
  2. Click Printing preferences.
  3. Look for a setting labeled Print on Both Sides, Duplex Printing, or 2-Sided Printing. The exact name varies by printer model.
  4. Select Flip on Long Edge (standard for portrait documents) or Flip on Short Edge (for landscape documents or booklets).
  5. Click Apply, then OK.

Note: If you do not see a duplex option, your printer may not support automatic double-sided printing. Check the printer's documentation or ask IT to confirm.

4. Change Default Color Settings (Color vs. Black-and-White) ​

If your organization prefers black-and-white printing to save toner costs, set it as the default.

  1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click the printer you want to configure.
  2. Click Printing preferences.
  3. Look for a Color tab or a Color Mode dropdown.
  4. Select Black & White, Grayscale, or Monochrome (the label varies by manufacturer).
  5. Click Apply, then OK.

Tip: This sets the default. You can always override it for a specific print job by changing the color setting in the print dialog (Ctrl + P) before clicking Print.

5. Adjust Paper Size and Print Quality ​

Change the default paper size or print quality for a specific printer.

  1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click the printer.
  2. Click Printing preferences.
  3. On the Paper/Quality or Layout tab:
    • Paper Size: Select Letter, A4, Legal, or the size your organization uses.
    • Print Quality: Choose Draft (fastest, uses less ink), Normal (everyday use), or High/Best (presentations and final documents).
  4. Click Apply, then OK.

6. Print a Test Page ​

Confirm your settings are working correctly by printing a test page.

  1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click the printer.
  2. Click Print a test page.
  3. A standard Windows test page prints, showing the printer name, model, and driver information.
  4. If the page prints successfully, your settings are configured correctly.

7. Quickly Switch Printers When Printing ​

Even with a default set, you can choose a different printer for any individual print job.

  1. In any application, press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog.
  2. Click the Printer dropdown at the top.
  3. Select the printer you want to use for this job.
  4. Adjust any one-time settings (copies, pages, orientation).
  5. Click Print.

Note: This does not change your default. The next time you print, your default printer will be pre-selected again.

Troubleshooting ​

TIP

Most printing issues can be fixed without contacting IT. If your printer is not printing at all, see How to Fix Common Printer Issues (No Admin Required) for a comprehensive troubleshooting guide.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Default printer keeps changing on its own"Let Windows manage" is still onFollow Step 1 above to turn off automatic default printer management.
Printer does not appear in the listPrinter not installed or not on networkCheck that the printer is powered on and connected to the same network. Restart your computer and check again. If it still does not appear, ask IT to install it for you — give them the name or asset tag printed on the front of the device, since you cannot read it from Printers & scanners yet.
"Set as default" button is missing"Let Windows manage" is still onTurn off the toggle in Step 1 first — the "Set as default" button only appears when automatic management is disabled.
Double-sided option is greyed outPrinter does not support duplexNot all printers have duplex hardware. For manual double-sided printing, print odd pages first, flip the stack, and print even pages.
Prints come out in color despite setting B&WApp is overriding printer defaultsCheck the print dialog in the specific application (Ctrl + P) — some apps have their own color settings that override the printer default.
Wrong paper size is printingMismatch between app and printer settingsVerify the paper size in both the application's print dialog and the printer preferences (Step 5). Both must match.