Autoselect default printer

Is it possible to make it so that if I connect a printer via cable, and it's the only printer, it automatically is recognized as default printer?

As long as the printer (drivers) are installed it should be recognised. Without drivers it will not be recognised.

To ensure that is the default printer double-click on its icon in the 'Printers and Devices' window so that a white tick in a green circle shows.

Paolo Holzl said:

Is it possible to make it so that if I connect a printer via cable, and it's the only printer, it automatically is recognized as default printer?

Click to expand...

Welcome to ELEVENForum!!

Yes it is -

1. Search for 'Devices & Printers'.
2. Right-click on the printer you want to make your default
3. Select 'Set as Default Printer'


You can use this method even if you more than one printer installed.

(In the image, my Epson printer is my default; if I continue, the PDF24 printer will become my default.)

Please take time to fill your 'My Computer' area of your account - it helps anyone who's offering advice to judge what your system is.

IanMosley said:

Welcome to ELEVENForum!!

Yes it is -

1. Search for 'Devices & Printers'.
2. Right-click on the printer you want to make your default
3. Select 'Set as Default Printer'

View attachment 51486
You can use this method even if you more than one printer installed.

(In the image, my Epson printer is my default; if I continue, the PDF24 printer will become my default.)

Please take time to fill your 'My Computer' area of your account - it helps anyone who's offering advice to judge what your system is.

Click to expand...

I seem to remember that using this function if you select a printer the system continue to use the same printer as default.

But I would like that if I have for example two printers and I remove a cable from printer 1 and connect printer 2 I would like that new printer is automatically defined as default printer.

Paolo Holzl said:

I seem to remember that using this function if you select a printer the system continue to use the same printer as default.

But I would like that if I have for example two printers and I remove a cable from printer 1 and connect printer 2 I would like that new printer is automatically defined as default printer.

Click to expand...

In this scenario, I would suggest that a reboot is necessary - Windows 11 is not intelligent enough to notice the change if you just swap the connected printer for another.

Please see Post #7

IanMosley said:

In this scenario, I would suggest that a reboot is necessary - Windows 11 is not intelligent enough to notice the change if you just swap the connected printer for another.

Click to expand...

But if the printer is the unique already connected when I boot with autoselect is changed automatically to default printer?

I have the problem of people who would like to easily move the default from one printer to another without going to the control panel. I answered by moving the printer management link to the Desktop, but with Win10 and Win11?

Paolo Holzl said:

But if the printer is the unique already connected when I boot with autoselect is changed automatically to default printer?

I have the problem of people who would like to easily move the default from one printer to another without going to the control panel. I answered by moving the printer management link to the Desktop, but with Win10 and Win11?

Click to expand...

First of all, please accept my appologies for giving you duff info in Post #5 - I mis-understood what you are trying to do.

If you just swap printers by unplugging one for another, in all probabilty the newly connected printer will not work.
Unless they are EXACTLY THE SAME SPECIFICATION just swapping the H/W will not work - the main stumbling block is that the drivers will - in all probability - be different.

Have you considered using a USB Hub? This will make your single USB port on your device support multi-USB devices, two of which can be configured to support each of your printers.

If you go down this route, you need a hub that is compatible with the port(s) on your device -

a 2.0 hub if your device port(s) are USB 2.0 compatible
a 3.0 hub if your device port(s) are USB 3.0 compatible
etc

There are a multitude of vendors and types available - in the UK, Amazon offer a wide choice - you should be able to find a vendor local to your location.

I don't know if the printer management link can be re-located to the desktop,

IanMosley said:

Have you considered using a USB Hub

Click to expand...

My was only an Example, printers ar not in the same location.

@Paolo Holzl - In Settings>Bluetooth and Devices>Printers & Scanners do you see "Allow Windows to manage my default printer"?

In my case I have this setting to 'Off' but you may want it 'On'. See photo: -