This tutorial will show you how to set a default printer for your account in Windows 11.
A default printer is the printer that all print jobs are sent to by default unless otherwise specified.
Reeference:
Set a default printer in Windows - Microsoft Support
Use the Settings app in Windows 10 to set a default printer and manage printer settings.

Contents
- Option One: Set Default Printer in Settings
- Option Two: Set Default Printer in Command Prompt
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Bluetooth & devices on the left side, and click/tap on Printers & scanners on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer to be able to manually set a default printer. (see screenshot below step 4)
4 Click/tap on a printer you want to set as default. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Set as default. (see screenshot below)
6 The Printer status will now change to show it as the Default. (see screenshot below)
7 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Open Windows Terminal, and select Command Prompt.
2 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal, and press Enter to see a list of all printers and their current status. (see screenshot below step 3)
wmic printer get default,name
3 Make note of the printer name (ex: "HP Color LaserJet MFP M477fdn (BD34EF)") you want to set as default. (see screenshot below)
The current default printer will have TRUE in the Default column left of the printer name.
4 Type the command below into Windows Terminal, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
wmic printer where name="printer name" call setdefaultprinter
Substitute printer name in the command above with the actual printer name (ex: "HP Color LaserJet MFP M477fdn (BD34EF)") from step 3.
For example: wmic printer where name="HP Color LaserJet MFP M477fdn (BD34EF)" call setdefaultprinter
5 You can now close Windows Terminal if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited: