Solved Firefox: How to always use the system print dialog?

spapakons · Feb 21, 2022

Hello!

In previous versions of Firefox there was a flag to show the system print dialog by default, rather than go through the Firefox print dialog first. However this flag doesn't work in latest Firefox versions (such as 97). Does anyone knows how to restore this feature? I frequently have to select a different paper type or paper source and it is not convenient having to go through the Firefox print dialog first, scroll down and then click to use the system print dialog. I would prefer opening the system print dialog when clicking the print icon.

Thank you in advance.

The-Hive · Feb 21, 2022

Just had a look, don't think there is a way now the flag has gone, I will keep looking maybe it is moved from flags to settings

Not Myself · Feb 21, 2022

A quick on-line search using the title of this thread turns up several answers; the first is from mozillZine:

Set Print

Berton · Feb 21, 2022

I find Firefox tends to use the last printer used, right now my File, Print goes to saving as Microsoft Print to PDF since that's what I've been using lately. There is no printer set as Default in Devices and Printers.

Edwin · Feb 21, 2022

Just curious...
I thought having Print Spooler enabled was a huge vulnerability?

Berton · Feb 21, 2022

Edwin said:
Just curious...
I thought having Print Spooler enabled was a huge vulnerability?

There were issues with some Win10 updates and mentioned USB-connected printers, didn't affect mine as they are Ethernet connected to my Router.

spapakons · Feb 21, 2022

Not Myself said:
A quick on-line search using the title of this thread turns up several answers; the first is from mozillZine:

Set Print

Yes, this worked on previous versions of Firefox. Now either if it is false or true makes no difference. Firefox will display its own useless print dialog and you have to scroll to the bottom and click the option to see the system print dialog. I have read that in new installations the flag is not available (mine is an update from previous version, hence the flag is there but not functional). Any other hack? Maybe some Registry hack? Thanks.

Regarding the default printer, Windows 10 and 11 always use the last printer used before, unless you explicitly set a default printer from Devices and Printers. If you don't like the printer changed every time you want to print to PDF or anything else, set the default printer permanently in Devices and Printers (right-click on the desired printer, set as default).

Not Myself · Feb 21, 2022

spapakons said:
Yes, this worked on previous versions of Firefox. Now either if it is false or true makes no difference. Firefox will display its own useless print dialog and you have to scroll to the bottom and click the option to see the system print dialog. I have read that in new installations the flag is not available (mine is an update from previous version, hence the flag is there but not functional). Any other hack? Maybe some Registry hack? Thanks.

I wondered if it actually worked, but was not willing to try it. I have posted a message in mozillaZine to ask if there is now a newer way to accomplish this change; if so, I just might remember to post that here.

Not Myself · Feb 21, 2022

As earlier threatened, I remembered....
I am sorry to report that the very code itself is obsolete and should have been removed some time ago. That is based on my taking a look at the Bugzilla report about the code not working. (BUgzilla is the location where bugs with Mozilla and related products are reported.) The code in question was reported, and is marked as closed on the grounds that, for whatever the reason might have been, the action of the code was removed, but removing the link to it has remained for several Firefox updates.

Ghot · Feb 21, 2022

spapakons said:
Hello!

In previous versions of Firefox there was a flag to show the system print dialog by default, rather than go through the Firefox print dialog first. However this flag doesn't work in latest Firefox versions (such as 97). Does anyone knows how to restore this feature? I frequently have to select a different paper type or paper source and it is not convenient having to go through the Firefox print dialog first, scroll down and then click to use the system print dialog. I would prefer opening the system print dialog when clicking the print icon.

Thank you in advance.

Mozilla removed the classic Print Preview from Firefox (there is still one option) - gHacks Tech News

Firefox users who upgraded the web browser to version 97 may have noticed that Mozilla removed the classic Print Preview option from the browser.

www.ghacks.net

spapakons · Feb 22, 2022

Yes I found this site too.

Berton · Feb 22, 2022

I always get a Preview after clicking File, Print, just small.

Not Myself · Feb 22, 2022

Further information from mozillaZine: "there are bugs on file to add (1) a new user preference and (2) a new keyboard shortcut to bypass the preview and immediately display the system dialog. These have not gone into testing yet, so I am starting to doubt they will make it into Firefox 98 (scheduled to release on March 8, 2022"

Try3 · Feb 22, 2022

Why do people keep discussing Print preview when that is not the subject about which spakakons asked?
The subject is enabling the System print dialog instead of a proprietary Firefox dialog.

Denis

Berton · Feb 22, 2022

Try3 said:
Why do people keep discussing Print preview when that is not the subject about which spakakons asked?
The subject is enabling the System print dialog instead of a proprietary Firefox dialog.
View attachment 22644

Denis

I was just showing what Firefox 97 on Windows 11 shows when bringing up the Print function with no default printer set in Control Panel's Device and Printers.

Edwin · Feb 22, 2022

You can set Firefox to Always Print Silent but I'm not sure if it will always use the default printer!

Furthermore, it again defeats the purpose of choosing a paper or source, which @spapakons also spoke of!

spapakons · Feb 22, 2022

Yes, I frequently print courier vouchers on special labels, so I need to change the paper setting from auto to manual, so I can insert the label sheet from the manual front tray. Silent print would just print with the default printer without any chance to adjust settings.

Edwin · Feb 22, 2022

Sonofabeotch!
Ctrl/Shift/P doesn't work in FF either!
You better move over to Chrome, chief!

spapakons · Feb 23, 2022

I would prefer to move to Microsoft Edge. Again it has its own print dialog. Any trick to use the system print dialog instead? I didn't have time to Google it.

Found it: How to Enable System Print Dialog in Microsoft Edge

To Enable System Print Dialog in Microsoft Edge

Open the Registry Editor app.
Go to the following Registry key. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge.
If the Edge folder is missing, then create it manually.
To the right of the Edge folder, modify or create a new 32-Bit DWORD value UseSystemPrintDialog. Note: Even if you are running 64-bit Windows you must still create a 32-bit DWORD value.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-34984" src="https://winaero.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Create-new-32-bit-dword.png" alt="Create New 32 Bit Dword" width="324" height="167"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;
Set its value to 1.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-36348" src="https://winaero.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Edge-Enable-System-Print-dialog-1.png" alt="Edge Enable System Print Dialog" width="702" height="522"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;
Now, close Edge if you have it running, and open again. You will have the system Print dialog.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-36349" src="https://winaero.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Edge-with-System-Print-dialog-enabled.png" alt="Edge With System Print Dialog Enabled" width="659" height="529"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

You are done!

Edwin · Feb 23, 2022

Ctrl/Shift/P

Solved Firefox: How to always use the system print dialog?

Well-known member

My Computers

The First Three Star Guru

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Ret. ATC

My Computers

♦ ♦

My Computers

Ret. ATC

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Ret. ATC

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Ret. ATC

My Computers

♦ ♦

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

♦ ♦

My Computers

Well-known member

To Enable System Print Dialog in Microsoft Edge​

My Computers

♦ ♦

My Computers

To Enable System Print Dialog in Microsoft Edge