How to Change Default Printer in Windows 11 and 10 (6 Methods in 2026)

To change default printer in Windows 11, in the quick fix guide:

• Open Settings: Open your Windows Settings app (or press the Win + I shortcut).
• Navigate to Printers: Click on Bluetooth & devices in the sidebar, then select Printers & scanners.
• Turn off Automatic Management: Toggle off the setting that says Let Windows manage my default printer.
• Note: If you skip this step, Windows will keep changing your default printer to whichever one you used most recently, and your manual selection button will be greyed out.
• Select Your Printer: Click on your preferred printer from the list of available devices.
• Set as Default: Click the Set as default button at the top of the page.
  Once completed, you will see a Default label appear immediately underneath your chosen printer’s name to confirm it’s locked in.

Now, if the above quick fix doesn’t work, and every time you try to print, the wrong printer fires up, it costs you time and paper again. This is because Windows 11 has a setting that silently takes control of your default printer and switches it to whatever you used most recently. That one toggle causes most default printer problems.

This Axeetech default printer guide shows six confirmed methods to change the default printer in Windows 11 and Windows 10, covers why the Set as default button sometimes goes grey, and includes a dedicated fix for the 0x00000709 error and the persistent resetting problem that survives restarts and Windows updates.

Also on Axeetech: Windows Prefetch RAM Usage | How to get Help in Windows |

Which Method Should You Use?

Find your situation in the table below before reading further. Each method serves a different user type. Picking the wrong one wastes time.

Your Situation	Best Method	Time Needed
Home or office user with one or two printers	Method 1: Settings	Under 2 minutes
Prefer keyboard and menus over the Settings app	Method 2: Control Panel (Windows 10 only; redirects to Settings in Windows 11)	Under 2 minutes
IT admin setting default without navigating menus	Method 3: Command Prompt or Method 4: PowerShell	Under 5 minutes
Default printer keeps resetting after every restart	Method 4: PowerShell plus Method 5: Registry LegacyDefaultPrinterMode	5 to 10 minutes
Managing default printer across 10 or more PCs	Method 6: Group Policy or Microsoft Intune	15 to 30 minutes
Remote Desktop worker with unexpected printer changes	Method 6: Group Policy RDP Printer Redirection fix	15 minutes

Also Read: How to Sync Clipboard Across Different Devices on Windows 11

Before You Change the Default Printer (6-Item Checklist)

Running through these six checks before starting prevents most setup failures.

1. Confirm the printer is installed and visible in Printers and Scanners.
2. Confirm the printer shows as online, not offline, in the device list.
3. Confirm the Print Spooler service is running. Restart it if you see any errors.
4. Run Windows Update so the latest IPP Class Driver loads automatically.
5. Disconnect and remove any temporary travel printers you no longer need.
6. Note the exact printer name, including correct spacing and capitalization. This is required for Method 3 and Method 4 commands.

For detailed printer configuration beyond the default setting, the AxeeTech guide on configuring default printer settings covers additional options, including paper size, print quality, and duplex defaults.

Also on Axeetech: Printer and Scanner near Me |

Method 1: Change Default Printer via Settings (Recommended)

Settings is the fastest and most reliable method for home users, office workers, and anyone without a reason to use the command line.

Windows 11:

1. Press Win+I to open Settings.
2. Click Bluetooth and devices in the left panel.
3. Click Printers and scanners on the right.
4. Scroll down to the Printer preferences section.
5. Toggle off “Let Windows manage my default printer.”
6. Scroll up to the printers list and click the printer you want to set as default.
7. Click Set as default.
8. Return to the Printers and scanners page and confirm the “Default” label appears directly under the printer name.

Windows 10:

1. Open Settings and go to Devices > Printers and Scanners.
2. Uncheck “Let Windows manage my default printer.”
3. Click the printer you want.
4. Click Manage.
5. Click Set as default.

Also Read: Change Default Apps for File Types in Windows 11

Warning: The Set as default button in Printers and scanners remains greyed out as long as the “Let Windows manage my default printer” toggle is on. Turn off the toggle before trying to click Set as default. This is the most common reason users cannot complete the change.

Warning: After major Windows 11 feature updates, the “Let Windows manage my default printer” toggle sometimes re-enables silently without notification. After any large Windows Update, open Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners and confirm the toggle is still off and your preferred printer still shows the Default label. If Windows Update itself is causing problems alongside this, the AxeeTech guide on how to fix Windows Update issues easily covers every repair step for stuck or failing update processes.

Method 2: Change Default Printer via Control Panel

Windows 10 still supports the classic Control Panel path:

1. Press Win+R, type control, and press Enter.
2. Click View devices and printers.
3. Right-click the printer you want as your default.
4. Select Set as default printer from the context menu.

Warning: In Windows 11, Control Panel > View devices and printers automatically redirects to Settings > Bluetooth and devices. The classic right-click “Set as default printer” option from Control Panel no longer exists in Windows 11. If a guide tells you to right-click in Control Panel on Windows 11, it is outdated. Use Method 1 instead.

Also read this guide: Connect a Wireless Printer Easily

Method 3: Change Default Printer via Command Prompt

Command Prompt is useful when you need to set a default printer without navigating Settings menus, or when you are scripting changes across multiple machines.

Step 1: List all printers to find the exact name.

In Windows 11 24H2 with the May 2026 Update, Microsoft deprecated and disabled WMIC by default. The old command returns “wmic is not recognized” on clean 24H2 installs. Use this 2026 replacement instead, which runs natively inside the standard Command Prompt:

powershell

powershell -Command "Get-Printer | Select-Object Name, IsDefault"

Step 2: Set the default printer using rundll32.

Copy the exact printer name from the output above. Replace PrinterName with that name:

cmd

rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /y /n "PrinterName"

Capitalization and spacing must match the output exactly or the command will fail silently.

Warning: In Windows 11 24H2 with the May 2026 Update, WMIC is deprecated and disabled by default. The old command wmic printer get name,default returns “wmic is not recognized” on updated systems. The replacement command shown above works inside standard Command Prompt without needing a separate PowerShell window.

Also Read: Privacy and Security Settings in Windows

Method 4: Change Default Printer via PowerShell

PowerShell gives direct control over printer objects and is the best method when the Settings toggle has not held the change after restarts or after Windows updates.

1. Right-click Start and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. List all installed printers and their current default status:

powershell

Get-Printer | Select Name

3. Set the default printer using the exact name from the output above:

powershell

Set-Printer -Name "Your Printer Name" -IsDefault $true

4. No confirmation message appears when the command succeeds. Verify the change with:

powershell

Get-Printer | Select Name, IsDefault

Alternatively, press Ctrl+P in any application and confirm the correct printer appears at the top of the print dialog.

Tip: Use Method 4 when Method 1 does not hold after restarts. Some network printer configurations require the PowerShell approach because the Settings UI change does not persist at the session level. Combine this with Method 5 (LegacyDefaultPrinterMode registry key) for a permanent fix that survives restarts and Windows updates.

When you set a new default printer using PowerShell and notice audio or other device defaults behave unexpectedly afterward, the AxeeTech guide on configuring your default playback device in Windows covers the audio output default settings that sometimes need resetting alongside printer changes on managed systems.

Method 5: Change Default Printer via Registry (Persistent Resetting Fix)

Use this method only when the default printer setting does not survive restarts or Windows updates. The LegacyDefaultPrinterMode DWORD is the most effective permanent fix for the resetting problem and is the single most missed solution in all competing guides.

Back up the registry before editing:

Press Win+R, type regedit, press Enter. Go to File > Export. Save the backup file before making any changes.

Navigate to the registry path:

1. Press Win+R, type regedit, press Enter.
2. Navigate to this exact path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

3. Look for the “Device” string value. Its data shows the current default printer name in the format shown.

Add LegacyDefaultPrinterMode to lock the default permanently:

Run this command in an elevated Command Prompt (not PowerShell) to add the DWORD value:

cmd

REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows" -v LegacyDefaultPrinterMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

LegacyDefaultPrinterMode set to 1 forces classic manual mode and prevents Windows from ever overriding your printer choice automatically. Setting it to 0 restores Windows automatic management.

After running this command, return to Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners and use Method 1 to confirm your preferred printer as the default. The LegacyDefaultPrinterMode value ensures that the choice stays locked.

Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system problems that require Windows repair. Back up the registry using File > Export before making any changes. If your system shows a recovery or repair screen after a registry edit, the AxeeTech guide on what to do when your system is repairing itself explains each step of the Windows repair process safely.

Method 6: Change Default Printer via Group Policy (IT Admins)

Group Policy is the correct tool when you manage 10 or more PCs, need the default to survive user profile resets, or need to push a consistent printer configuration to domain-joined machines.

Block automatic printer management for all domain users:

1. Open gpedit.msc for local policy or Group Policy Management Console for domain.
2. Navigate to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Printers.
3. Enable “Turn off Windows default printer management.”
4. This setting blocks the “Let Windows manage my default printer” feature for every user in the policy scope.

Actively set a default printer via Group Policy Preferences:

1. Navigate to: User Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Printers.
2. Find or create the printer item for your target printer.
3. Enable “Set this printer as the default printer” inside the GPP item.

Fix RDP session default printer takeover (Remote Desktop workers):

When users connect via Remote Desktop Protocol, Windows redirects the client’s local printer and sometimes sets it as the default for the session. This silently overrides any default the user had set. Fix it with Group Policy:

1. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Printer Redirection.
2. Enable: “Do not set the default printer to be the same as the connected client’s default printer.”

For Microsoft Intune on cloud-managed devices, deploy a PowerShell script that combines Set-Printer -IsDefault $true with the LegacyDefaultPrinterMode registry key. This covers both the active assignment and the persistence lock in a single deployment.

Tip: Group Policy is the only method that survives user profile resets and roaming profile rebuilds. For a single Windows 11 Pro PC without a domain, gpedit.msc opens the Local Group Policy Editor with the same navigation path and options as domain Group Policy.

Virtual Printers as Your Default (Microsoft Print to PDF and Others)

Windows 11 includes virtual printers in the same Printers and scanners list as physical printers. Any of them can be set as the default using Method 1 with the exact same steps.

Virtual Printer	What It Does	Best For
Microsoft Print to PDF	Saves output as a PDF file instead of printing physically	Users who regularly send files as PDFs
Microsoft XPS Document Writer	Saves output as an XPS document	Archiving documents in XPS format
OneNote	Sends print output to OneNote (requires Office to be installed)	Capturing documents into notebooks
Fax	Sends output as a fax transmission (requires fax service enabled)	Fax-heavy business workflows

Setting Microsoft Print to PDF as the default printer is a practical choice for users who print to PDF more often than to a physical printer. Opening any print dialog defaults to PDF output without requiring a manual selection each time.

Why Does My Default Printer Keep Changing?

If your default printer reverts unexpectedly, one of six causes is responsible. Work through the table to find yours.

Cause	Explanation	Fix
“Let Windows manage” toggle is ON	Windows automatically promotes the last-used printer as the default	Toggle OFF in Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners
Windows Update re-enabled the toggle	Major feature updates silently re-enable the toggle	Check Settings after every major Windows update and re-disable the toggle
RDP session printer redirection	Remote Desktop redirects the client’s local printer and sets it as the session default	Group Policy: enable “Do not set default printer to be the same as the connected client’s default printer”
LegacyDefaultPrinterMode not set	Without this registry value, Windows can override the user’s choice	Add LegacyDefaultPrinterMode=1 using the REG ADD command in Method 5
Print Spooler service error	Spooler errors prevent the default printer setting from being saved or read	Run net stop spooler then net start spooler in Command Prompt as administrator
Error 0x00000709 registry permissions	Registry key permissions block the default printer value from being written	Fix HKEY_CURRENT_USER…\Windows key permissions: Full Control for SYSTEM and Administrators

Print Spooler restart commands (run in Command Prompt as administrator):

cmd

net stop spooler
net start spooler

If the Print Spooler restart does not resolve the issue and Windows enters a repair or recovery state, the AxeeTech guide on what to do when your system is repairing itself explains each recovery step safely.

Running built-in Windows diagnostics before manual registry work saves significant time. The AxeeTech Windows troubleshooter guide walks through every built-in diagnostic tool for identifying printer and system conflicts before they require advanced intervention.

Error 0x00000709: Operation Could Not Be Completed

Error 0x00000709 appears when Windows cannot write the default printer setting. Five causes produce this error:

Cause 1: “Let Windows manage” toggle is still ON (most common) Fix: Toggle off “Let Windows manage my default printer” in Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners, then try setting the default again.

Cause 2: Registry permissions on the Windows key The HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows key needs Full Control for SYSTEM and Administrators. Open Registry Editor, navigate to that key, right-click the Windows folder, select Permissions, and confirm both SYSTEM and Administrators have Full Control checked.

Cause 3: Invalid printer name in a command or script Any mismatch in capitalization or spacing causes the command to fail. Verify the exact name with:

powershell

Get-Printer | Select Name

Cause 4: PrintNightmare-related Windows Update changed communication protocols Restart the Print Spooler service and update printer drivers through Device Manager or the manufacturer’s website.

Cause 5: Network printer DNS resolution failure If the printer is shared on a network and the hostname fails to resolve, the connection cannot be established. Try connecting using the printer’s direct IP address instead of its hostname.

After working through the 0x00000709 fixes, if permissions or device access issues persist on the same system across other hardware like microphones or audio inputs, the AxeeTech guide on troubleshooting microphone privacy settings covers the Windows permission checks that commonly affect multiple devices simultaneously after security updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the default printer in Windows 11?

Open Settings, click Bluetooth and devices, then Printers and scanners. Scroll down to Printer preferences and toggle off “Let Windows manage my default printer.” Scroll back up, click the printer you want, and click Set as default. The word Default appears under the printer name to confirm the change. The entire process takes under two minutes on any Windows 11 PC.

Why is the Set as default button greyed out?

The Set as default button is greyed out because the “Let Windows manage my default printer” toggle is still on. Windows blocks manual selection while this toggle is active. Scroll down on the Printers and scanners page to find the Printer preferences section and toggle it off. The Set as default button becomes active immediately after you do this.

Why does my default printer keep changing after a restart?

The most common cause is the “Let Windows manage” toggle being on, which promotes the last-used printer as the default after every session. If the toggle is already off and the default still reverts, add the LegacyDefaultPrinterMode DWORD value set to 1 at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. This locks the setting at the registry level and prevents Windows from overriding it.

How do I fix error 0x00000709 when changing the default printer?

First, confirm the “Let Windows manage my default printer” toggle is off. This alone resolves the error for most users. If it persists, open Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows, right-click the Windows folder, select Permissions, and confirm SYSTEM and Administrators have Full Control. If the error appears in a script, verify the exact printer name using Get-Printer in PowerShell.

Can I set Microsoft Print to PDF as my default printer?

Yes. Microsoft Print to PDF appears in the Printers and scanners list alongside physical printers. Toggle off “Let Windows manage my default printer,” click Microsoft Print to PDF, and click Set as default. Every print action then outputs to a PDF file by default. This is useful for users who convert documents to PDF more often than printing physically.

Does the default printer sync across devices with my Microsoft account?

No. Default printer settings are stored locally on each device and do not sync through a Microsoft account. Setting a default printer on your home laptop has no effect on your office desktop PC, even if both devices are signed in with the same Microsoft account. Each user account on each device maintains its own independent default printer setting.

How do I change the default printer for all users on a PC?

The Settings GUI only changes the default printer for the currently signed-in user account. To set a default printer for all users on a PC, use Group Policy by opening gpedit.msc and navigating to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Printers. Enable “Turn off Windows default printer management” and configure the default through Group Policy Preferences. On domain-joined PCs, use Group Policy Management Console from a domain controller.

Why does Windows keep switching my default printer after a Windows update?

Major Windows 11 feature updates sometimes silently re-enable the “Let Windows manage my default printer” toggle, overriding the setting you configured. After every major Windows update, open Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners and confirm the toggle is still off and your printer still shows the Default label. Adding the LegacyDefaultPrinterMode=1 registry value through Method 5 provides an additional layer of protection against update-triggered resets.

How do I change the default printer using PowerShell?

Open PowerShell as administrator by right-clicking Start and selecting Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin). Run Get-Printer | Select Name to list all installed printers with exact names. Then run Set-Printer -Name “Your Printer Name” -IsDefault $true replacing the name with the one copied from the list. Verify with Get-Printer | Select Name, IsDefault or by pressing Ctrl+P in any application.

What is LegacyDefaultPrinterMode and how does it fix default printer resetting?

LegacyDefaultPrinterMode is a REG_DWORD registry value stored at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. When set to 1, it instructs Windows to use classic manual printer management behavior and prevents the operating system from automatically overriding the user’s default printer choice. Setting it to 1 is the most reliable fix when the default printer reverts after restarts or Windows updates, because it locks the behavior at the registry level rather than relying on the Settings toggle alone.