Removing A Printer In Windows 10

Removing a printer from Windows 10 is a straightforward process that many users need to complete when replacing hardware or troubleshooting printing issues. To remove a printer in Windows 10, you can go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer you want to remove, and click “Remove device.” This simple method helps clear out old printer configurations that might be causing problems with your system.

Sometimes printers can be stubborn and refuse to be removed using the standard method. In these cases, you might need to cancel any pending print jobs first. Right-click on the printer, select “See what’s printing,” and delete any jobs in the queue before attempting to remove the device again.

Removing A Printer In Windows 10

If you have a printer that you no longer use or want to declutter your list of devices, Windows 10 makes it easy to remove it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove a printer from your Windows 10 computer.

1. Open the Settings Menu

1. Click the Start menu (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Select Settings (gear icon).

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2. Navigate to Devices

1. In the Settings window, click on Devices.
2. Select the Printers & scanners tab on the left-hand side.

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3. Select the Printer You Want to Remove

1. You’ll see a list of all installed printers and scanners on your computer.
2. Find the printer you want to remove and click on it.

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4. Remove the Printer

1. After selecting the printer, click the Remove device button.
2. Confirm the removal by clicking Yes when prompted.

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5. Uninstall Printer Drivers (Optional but Recommended)

Removing a printer doesn’t always uninstall its drivers. If you want to clean up completely:

Steps:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type printui.exe /s and hit Enter. This opens the Print Server Properties window.
3. Go to the Drivers tab.
4. Select the printer driver you want to remove.
5. Click Remove, then choose Remove driver and driver package for a full removal.

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6. Restart Your Computer (Optional)

Restarting your computer ensures all changes are applied and any remaining files are cleared.

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By following these steps, you can easily remove any unused or outdated printers from your Windows 10 system.

Key Takeaways

• Access printer removal options through Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners or Start > Devices and Printers.
• Always check and clear the print queue before attempting to remove a problematic printer.
• After removing a printer, you may need to manually delete printer drivers for a complete uninstallation.

Understanding Printer Configuration in Windows 10

Windows 10 offers a user-friendly interface for managing printers through the Settings app. Users can access printer settings by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

From this panel, users can view all installed printers and manage their configurations. The list shows both physical printers connected to the computer and virtual print services.

To set a default printer, users can right-click on the desired printer and select “Set as default.” Alternatively, Windows 10 can automatically set the last-used printer as the default.

Basic Printer Management Options:

• Add a new printer
• Remove a printer
• Set as default
• View print queue
• Access printer properties

When a printer isn’t functioning correctly, Windows 10 provides troubleshooting tools. These can be accessed by clicking on the printer name and selecting “Run the troubleshooter.”

Print jobs are stored in a queue that can be accessed by right-clicking on a printer and selecting “See what’s printing.” This interface allows users to pause, resume, or cancel print jobs.

For advanced users, printer drivers can be managed through the Device Manager. This provides options to update, roll back, or completely remove printer drivers when standard removal methods don’t work.

Understanding these configuration options helps users effectively manage their printing experience in Windows 10.

Accessing Printer Settings

Accessing printer settings is the first step to remove a printer in Windows 10. There are several ways to find these settings.

The easiest method is to use the Windows Settings app. Press the Windows key, then click on “Settings” (the gear icon). From there, select “Devices” and then “Printers & scanners” on the left menu.

Another approach is to use the search function. Click on the search box in the taskbar and type “printers” or “print”. Select “Devices and Printers” from the results.

For those who prefer keyboard shortcuts, pressing Windows key + I opens Settings directly. Then navigate to the Devices section.

Users can also access printer settings through the Control Panel. Type “control panel” in the search box, open it, and then select “View devices and printers” under the Hardware and Sound category.

The Print Management console offers advanced options for IT professionals. Press the Windows key and type “Print Management” to access this tool.

Once in the printer settings, users will see a list of all installed printers. This is where they can select the printer they wish to remove and proceed with the uninstallation process.

Navigating to Devices and Printers

Finding your printer settings in Windows 10 is the first step to removing a printer. There are several ways to access the Devices and Printers section.

The quickest method is to use the Windows search bar. Simply type “printers” or “devices and printers” in the search box and select the matching result that appears.

Another approach is through the Settings app. Click on the Start menu, then select “Settings” (the gear icon). From there, click on “Devices” and then select “Printers & scanners” from the left sidebar.

For those who prefer the classic Control Panel, you can also access printer settings this way. Open Control Panel, switch to “Category” view if needed, and select “View devices and printers” under the Hardware and Sound category.

Windows 10 also offers a keyboard shortcut for quick access. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then navigate to Devices > Printers & scanners.

Once you’ve reached the Printers & scanners section, you’ll see a list of all installed printers on your system. This is where you can select the printer you wish to remove in the next steps.

Removing a Printer

Windows 10 offers several methods to remove a printer from your system. Each approach works well but may be more convenient depending on your situation and comfort level with different interfaces.

Using the Control Panel

The Control Panel provides a traditional way to remove printers in Windows 10. This method is familiar to long-time Windows users.

To begin, click on the Start menu and type “Control Panel.” Open it and navigate to “Devices and Printers.”

Find the printer you want to remove in the list of devices. Right-click on it and select “Remove device” from the menu that appears.

If you see a confirmation dialog, click “Yes” to confirm the removal. Before removing, make sure there are no pending print jobs. You can check this by right-clicking the printer and selecting “See what’s printing.” If jobs exist, delete them first.

For a thorough removal, you might also want to delete any remaining printer drivers after removing the device.

Using Settings App

The Settings app offers a more modern interface for printer management in Windows 10. This method is often quicker and simpler.

Open the Start menu and click on “Settings” (the gear icon). Alternatively, press Windows key + I to open Settings directly.

Click on “Devices” and then select the “Printers & scanners” tab from the left sidebar.

Find the printer you want to remove from the list. Click on it once to select it, then click the “Remove device” button that appears.

Confirm your choice by clicking “Yes” when prompted. The printer will be removed from your system immediately.

This method is ideal for users who prefer the modern Windows interface over the classic Control Panel.

Using Print Management

Print Management is a more advanced tool that lets you manage printers with additional options. It’s especially useful for network printers or in office environments.

To access it, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter.

In the Print Management window, expand “Print Servers” and then your computer name. Click on “Printers” to see all installed printers.

Right-click on the printer you want to remove and select “Delete” from the context menu.

Confirm the deletion when prompted. Print Management also allows you to view detailed printer properties and manage printer drivers more effectively.

This method is recommended for IT professionals or users who need more control over printer settings.

Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides a command-line approach to remove printers, which can be useful for automation or remote management.

Open PowerShell with administrator rights by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”

To view all printers, type the command:

Get-Printer

To remove a specific printer, use:

Remove-Printer -Name "PrinterName"

Replace “PrinterName” with the exact name of your printer. This method requires you to know the precise printer name but offers quick removal without navigating menus.

For network printers, you might need additional commands to completely remove all traces from your system.

Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt offers another text-based way to remove printers, useful for troubleshooting or when the graphical interface isn’t working properly.

Open Command Prompt as administrator by typing “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”

To list all printers, type:

wmic printer get name

To remove a printer, use the following command:

printui.exe /dl /n "PrinterName"

Replace “PrinterName” with your printer’s exact name. This command launches the printer removal dialog where you can confirm the deletion.

This method is helpful when other approaches fail or when you need to create batch files to remove printers on multiple computers.

Troubleshooting Common Removal Issues

When trying to remove a printer from Windows 10, users often encounter frustrating obstacles that prevent complete uninstallation. These issues typically stem from stuck print jobs, system processes, or driver-related complications.

Printer Stuck in Queue

If a printer appears grayed out or won’t completely uninstall, print jobs may be stuck in the queue blocking removal. To resolve this:

1. Clear the print queue first:
   • Right-click on the printer and select “See what’s printing”
   • Select all documents in the queue
   • Click “Document” in the menu and choose “Cancel” or “Cancel All Documents”
   • Wait for all jobs to clear completely

Print spooler issues can also cause removal problems. Restarting the spooler service often helps:

1. Press Windows key + R, type “services.msc” and press Enter
2. Find “Print Spooler” in the list
3. Right-click and select “Restart”

Sometimes a complete system restart is necessary after clearing the queue before attempting printer removal again.

Unresponsive Removal Process

When the standard removal process through Settings or Control Panel becomes unresponsive, alternative methods can help. Using Print Management is often effective for stubborn printer installations.

To access Print Management:

1. Type “printmanagement.msc” in the search bar and run as administrator
2. Navigate to Print Servers > Your Computer > Printers
3. Right-click the problematic printer and select “Delete”

If that doesn’t work, PowerShell commands provide more direct control:

Get-Printer                   # Lists all printers
Remove-Printer -Name "PrinterName"   # Removes specific printer

For network printers specifically, disconnecting from the network temporarily before removal can prevent communication errors during the uninstallation process.

Driver Uninstallation Errors

Printer drivers often remain even after removing the device, causing conflicts when reinstalling or connecting different printers. Complete driver removal requires additional steps.

To properly remove printer drivers:

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > select Device Manager)
2. Expand “Print queues” category
3. Right-click your printer model and select “Uninstall device”
4. Check the box for “Delete the driver software for this device”

For more stubborn driver issues, the Print Server Properties tool helps:

1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
2. Click any printer, then select “Print server properties” from the toolbar
3. Navigate to the Drivers tab
4. Select problematic drivers and click “Remove”

Third-party driver removal tools may be necessary for particularly persistent driver issues when Windows tools fail.

Manual Removal of Printer Drivers

Sometimes printer drivers need to be completely removed from Windows 10 to solve problems or prepare for a fresh installation. The process requires accessing specific system settings and removing all associated driver files.

Accessing the Print Server Properties

To begin manual driver removal, users need to access the Print Server Properties dialog. First, open the Settings app by pressing Windows+I, then navigate to “Devices > Printers & scanners.”

Under “Related settings,” click on “Print Server Properties” to access the driver management interface. This opens a window with several tabs that control how the print server functions.

If the Print Server Properties option isn’t visible, users can alternatively type “printui /s /t2” in the Run dialog (Windows+R) to open it directly. This administrative tool provides access to all installed printer drivers on the system.

Removing Drivers and Packages

In the Print Server Properties dialog, select the “Drivers” tab to view all installed printer drivers. To remove a driver, select it from the list and click “Remove.”

Windows will present two options: “Remove driver only” or “Remove driver and driver package.” For complete removal, choose the second option which eliminates all associated files from the system.

If Windows indicates the driver is in use, users should first delete the printer from “Devices and Printers” by right-clicking it and selecting “Remove device.” For stubborn drivers, they may need to restart in Safe Mode to complete the removal.

For thorough cleanup, users should also check Device Manager. Press Windows+X and select “Device Manager,” then expand the “Print queues” section to remove any remaining driver instances.

Reinstalling or Updating Printer Drivers

After removing a printer driver, you’ll need to reinstall it to get your printer working again. Windows 10 offers several methods to install updated drivers.

The simplest approach is using Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. Windows often identifies and installs the correct printer drivers automatically.

For more reliable results, visit the printer manufacturer’s website. Companies like HP, Canon, and Epson maintain download sections where you can find the latest drivers for your specific printer model.

To install downloaded drivers:

1. Double-click the downloaded file
2. Follow the installation wizard
3. Restart your computer if prompted

If Windows doesn’t detect your printer after reinstalling drivers, try connecting it to a different USB port. Sometimes the physical connection needs refreshing.

For wireless printers, ensure both your computer and printer are connected to the same network before installation. This helps Windows discover the device properly during setup.

Remember that newer drivers often fix bugs and improve performance. Regular updates can solve printing problems and enhance your printing experience.

Verifying Printer Removal

After attempting to remove a printer from Windows 10, it’s important to verify that the printer has been completely removed from the system. This ensures no leftover files or settings remain that could cause problems later.

The simplest way to check if a printer was successfully removed is to open the Printers & Scanners settings. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then select Devices and Printers & Scanners. Look through the list to confirm the printer no longer appears.

For a more thorough verification, check these additional locations:

• Print Management console: Type printmanagement.msc in the search box and check if the printer is listed
• Control Panel: Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers
• Print Server Properties: Right-click any printer and select “Printer server properties” to check for remaining drivers

Using PowerShell can provide confirmation as well. Open PowerShell as administrator and type:

Get-Printer

This command displays all installed printers. If the removed printer doesn’t appear in the results, it has likely been successfully uninstalled.

Check the system’s print spooler folder for any remaining files related to the removed printer. Navigate to:

C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Restart the computer after printer removal. This helps clear any temporary files and ensures Windows properly recognizes the changes made to the printer configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Windows 10 offers several methods to remove printers from your system. The following questions address common removal challenges and specialized situations that users encounter when trying to uninstall printers.

How can I uninstall a printer from Windows 10 using command line tools?

To remove a printer using command line tools, open Command Prompt as administrator. Type wmic printer get name to list all installed printers. Then use the command printui /dl /n "Printer Name" replacing “Printer Name” with your actual printer name to remove it.

You can also use PowerShell as an alternative. Open PowerShell as administrator and type Get-Printer to list all printers. Then type Remove-Printer -Name "Printer Name" to uninstall the specific printer.

What are the steps to manually delete a printer from the Windows 10 registry?

Before editing the registry, create a backup by exporting it. Open Registry Editor by typing “regedit” in the search bar. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers.

Find your printer’s folder in the list and right-click it. Select Delete and confirm the deletion. Also check HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Devices for any remaining entries.

Restart your computer after making these changes for them to take effect fully.

What solutions are available when there’s no remove option for a printer in Windows 10?

When the remove option is missing, try accessing Device Manager. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager. Expand “Print queues,” right-click your printer, and select “Uninstall device.”

Another approach is using Print Management. Type “printmanagement.msc” in the search bar and press Enter. Under “Print Servers,” find your computer, expand “Printers,” right-click the problem printer, and select “Delete.”

You can also try showing hidden devices. In Device Manager, click the “View” menu and select “Show hidden devices.” This often reveals printers that aren’t displaying properly.

How can ghost printers be removed from Windows 10 systems?

Ghost printers are remnants of previously installed printers. To remove them, open Command Prompt as administrator and type printui /s /t2 to open the Print Server Properties dialog.

Check the “Show all devices” box to display ghost printers. Select the ghost printer and click “Remove.” You may need to restart the Print Spooler service afterward.

Another effective method is clearing the printer spool folder. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in this folder after stopping the Print Spooler service.

What procedure should be followed to remove a printer that is not listed in the Devices and Printers section?

Start by checking Print Management by typing “printmanagement.msc” in the search bar. This tool often shows printers not visible in the regular interface. Right-click any hidden printers and select Delete.

If that doesn’t work, run the printer troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Printer, and follow the prompts to identify and fix printer issues.

You might also need to delete printer driver packages. Open an elevated Command Prompt and type pnputil -e to list all drivers. Then use pnputil -d oem##.inf to remove the specific printer driver package.

How can I completely uninstall an HP printer from my Windows 10 computer?

First, uninstall the printer from Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Select the HP printer and click “Remove device.” Next, uninstall all HP software from Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program.

Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool from HP’s official website. This utility can help remove stubborn printer files and registry entries that manual uninstallation might miss.

After removal, clear any remaining driver files by going to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Print Server Properties > Drivers tab. Select any HP drivers and click “Remove” to complete the uninstallation.