Having the correct default printer settings can save time and reduce printing mistakes. Instead of changing options like paper size, color mode, duplex printing, or print quality every time you print, Windows 11 and Windows 10 let you customize your printer’s default preferences.
When you change the default printer settings, Windows automatically applies those preferences to future print jobs unless you manually choose different settings for a specific document. This is especially useful if you frequently print in black and white, always use A4 or Letter paper, or prefer double-sided printing to save paper.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to change your printer’s default settings in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
What do the default printer settings include?
Your printer’s default settings are the preset printing preferences that Windows automatically uses every time you send a document to the printer. These settings remain in effect until you change them or manually select different options for a specific print job. Setting the right defaults helps ensure consistent print results and saves you from adjusting the same options repeatedly.
Depending on your printer model and installed driver, the default settings may include the following:
- Print Quality: Controls the print resolution and output quality. Most printers offer options such as Draft, Normal, High, or Best, allowing you to balance print speed, ink usage, and overall quality.
- Color Mode: Determines whether documents print in Color, Grayscale, or Black and White by default.
- Paper Size: Sets the standard paper size for all print jobs, such as Letter, Legal, A4, A5, or other supported sizes.
- Paper Type: Specifies the type of paper being used, including Plain Paper, Photo Paper, Glossy Paper, Matte Paper, or Envelope. Choosing the correct paper type helps optimize print quality.
- Page Orientation: Defines whether pages print in Portrait or Landscape mode.
- Double-Sided (Duplex) Printing: If your printer supports duplex printing, you can make single-sided or double-sided printing the default option.
- Paper Source or Tray Selection: Lets you choose which paper tray or feeder the printer should use automatically.
- Number of Copies: Some printers allow you to specify a default number of copies for each print job.
- Scaling and Layout: Controls how content fits on the page, including options like multiple pages per sheet, booklet printing, or page scaling.
- Advanced Printing Features: Depending on the printer manufacturer, you may also find options for toner saver mode, ink saving mode, borderless printing, watermarks, collation, secure printing, stapling, and other finishing features.
Now, let’s learn the steps to change these settings!
Change Printer Default Settings in Windows 11/10
Follow these steps to change printer default settings in Windows 11 or Windows 10:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select your printer.
- Open Printing preferences or Printer properties.
- Change settings such as paper size, print quality, orientation, color mode, or duplex printing.
- Click Apply, then select OK to save the changes.
- Print a test page to verify your new default settings.
Step 1: Open Printer Settings in Windows
The first step is accessing your installed printer.
Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners if you’re using Windows 11.
If you’re using Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
Windows displays every printer currently installed on your computer, including USB printers, WiFi printers, Bluetooth printers, and virtual printers such as Microsoft Print to PDF.
Locate the printer you want to configure and click its name.
You’ll now see several options related to your printer, including printer status, queue management, printing preferences, and device information.
Before changing any settings, make sure you’ve selected the correct printer, especially if multiple printers are installed on your PC.
Step 2: Open Printing Preferences
Once you’ve selected your printer, the next step is opening its default printing preferences.
Go to your printer page, then select Printing preferences. On some printer models, you may first need to choose Printer properties and then open the Preferences tab.
A new window opens containing all the default print settings supported by your printer driver.
You’ll usually find several tabs, such as:
- Main: This section typically includes print quality, color mode, copies, and orientation.
- Paper or Page Setup: Here you can choose the default paper size, paper source, margins, and paper type.
- Layout: This area controls duplex printing, multiple pages per sheet, and page ordering.
- Advanced: Some manufacturers place additional features here, including print resolution, toner saver mode, ink usage, image enhancements, and finishing options.
The layout varies depending on the printer manufacturer, but the purpose remains the same.
Take a moment to review all available options before making changes.
Step 3: Change Your Default Printing Preferences
Now it’s time to customize how your printer behaves by default.
Go to the appropriate tab based on the setting you want to change.
If you mostly print text documents, you might switch the printer from Color to Grayscale to reduce ink usage.
If you regularly print reports, you can enable Two-Sided Printing so pages automatically print on both sides.
If you often print photographs, you may increase the Print Quality to High or Best for sharper images.
You can also change the default Paper Size to match the paper you normally use, such as Letter or A4.
For business documents, many users keep Portrait as the default orientation, while presentations often work better in Landscape.
Some printers also let you choose:
- Plain Paper: Ideal for everyday printing.
- Photo Paper: Optimizes image quality.
- Glossy Paper: Improves color reproduction for photos.
- Envelope: Adjusts printing for mailing envelopes.
Selecting the appropriate paper type helps improve print quality and prevents paper feeding issues.
After making your preferred changes, review each setting carefully before saving them.
Step 4: Save the New Default Settings
Once you’ve finished customizing your preferences, save everything.
Go to the bottom of the window, then click Apply.
Next, click OK.
Windows stores these settings as the printer’s default configuration.
From this point forward, every new print job automatically uses these preferences unless you manually change them during printing.
Keep in mind that applications such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or web browsers may temporarily override certain settings if you choose different options inside the Print dialog.
However, once those print jobs finish, your saved defaults remain available for future printing.
Step 5: Print a Test Page
It’s always a good idea to verify your changes.
Go back to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, then open your printer.
- Select Printer properties.
- Go to the General tab.
- Then click Print Test Page.
The printer produces a sample page using your newly saved settings.
Check whether:
- The paper size is correct.
- The page orientation matches your preference.
- Color or grayscale printing works as expected.
- Double-sided printing functions correctly.
- The print quality looks satisfactory.
If something isn’t correct, return to Printing preferences, make the necessary adjustments, and save the settings again.
Step 6: Set the Correct Default Printer
Sometimes users think their printer settings aren’t saving when Windows is actually sending documents to another printer.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Locate the printer you use most frequently.
Select it, then choose Set as default.
If Windows automatically changes your default printer, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer before selecting your preferred printer.
This ensures Windows consistently uses the printer you’ve chosen.
Step 7: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver if Settings Are Missing
Occasionally, important printer options don’t appear.
This usually happens because Windows installed a generic printer driver instead of the manufacturer’s full driver package.
Go to Device Manager > Print queues.
Find your printer.
Right-click it, then choose Update driver.
If updating doesn’t help, uninstall the printer, restart your computer, and install the latest driver provided by your printer manufacturer.
A complete driver often unlocks advanced features such as secure printing, booklet printing, color calibration, borderless printing, and finishing options.
After reinstalling the driver, revisit Printing preferences to configure your default settings again.
Difference Between Changing Printer’s Default Settings and Default Printer
Many users assume that changing a printer’s default settings is the same as setting a default printer, but these are two different functions in Windows.
A default printer is simply the printer Windows automatically selects whenever you click Print. If you have multiple printers installed, such as an office printer, a home printer, or Microsoft Print to PDF, Windows uses the default printer unless you choose another one manually.
On the other hand, default printer settings control how that specific printer prints documents. These settings include options like paper size, print quality, color or grayscale printing, page orientation, double-sided printing, paper type, and other printing preferences. Once you save these settings, they become the standard configuration for that printer until you change them again.
For example, suppose you own both a color inkjet printer and a monochrome laser printer. You can set the laser printer as your default printer so Windows automatically selects it for everyday printing. At the same time, you can configure its default settings to always print in grayscale, use Letter paper, and enable double-sided printing. Meanwhile, your color inkjet printer can have completely different default settings, such as High Quality printing on Photo Paper.
Quick Comparison B/W Default Printer & Default Printer Settings
| Default Printer | Default Printer Settings |
| Selects which printer Windows uses automatically. | Controls how the selected printer prints documents. |
| Useful when multiple printers are installed. | Useful for customizing print preferences. |
| Changed from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. | Changed from Printing Preferences or Printer Properties. |
| Affects printer selection. | Affects print quality, paper size, color mode, duplex printing, orientation, and other printing options. |
| Can be changed at any time. | Can be customized independently for each printer. |
FAQs
Why aren’t my printer settings saving?
This usually happens because another printer is set as the default, Windows is managing your default printer automatically, or your printer driver needs updating.
Can I change the default paper size?
Yes. Open Printing preferences, locate the Paper Size option, select your preferred size, and save the changes.
Why do my settings change when I print from Microsoft Word?
Applications can temporarily override the printer’s default settings. The changes usually apply only to that print job unless you save them as new defaults.
Can I make black and white printing the default?
Yes. Open Printing preferences, change Color to Grayscale or Black and White, then save the settings.
Will these settings affect every user on the computer?
It depends on the printer driver and how Windows is configured. In many cases, the settings apply to the current user, while some administrative changes can affect all users.
Can I restore the original printer settings?
Yes. Most printer drivers include a Restore Defaults or Default Settings button inside the preferences window. You can also reinstall the printer driver if needed.
Summary
Changing the default printer settings in Windows 11 and Windows 10 makes printing faster, more consistent, and more convenient. Instead of adjusting the same options before every print job, you can configure your preferred paper size, orientation, print quality, color mode, duplex printing, and other settings once and let Windows use them automatically.
The process is straightforward. Open Settings, access Printers & scanners, select your printer, open Printing preferences, adjust the settings that best match your printing needs, and save your changes. Finish by printing a test page to confirm everything works correctly. If certain options are unavailable, updating or reinstalling the printer driver can restore advanced features and ensure your printer performs at its best.