Should I install printer specific drivers or not?


tjsuominen

tjsuominen

New member
Local time
3:35 PM
Posts
4
OS
Windows 11
Hi all!

I have taken Epson ET-2870 inkjet printer into use just by adding that as Windows 11 printer via my wifi network (= printer uses generic Windows printer drivers). Printer works and prints 'ok'.

However, it seems that the printing / printer options are quite limited with standard Windows printing drivers.


The question goes: Should I install the Epson drivers from the manufacturer?


If yes, why?
If not, why not?


Lastly, can I use 3rd party inks if I install Epson specific drivers?


Appreciated!
 
Windows Build/Version
11

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T14s
You only need to install drivers to enable device features or fix buggy driver.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
How about printing quality and using 3rd party inks?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T14s
tjsuominen said:
However, it seems that the printing / printer options are quite limited with standard Windows printing drivers.
Click to expand...
If you want the extra print options then it's a no brainer. Install the Epson drivers.

I use Epson drivers for my Epson XP-3100 printer and I use 3rd party inks.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP EliteDesk 705 G5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE
    Memory
    8GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Hard Drives
    256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Inspiron 15-3576
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8250U
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 - 2400 SODIMM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK Hynix SC311 SATA SSD
wiganken said:
If you want the extra print options then it's a no brainer. Install the Epson drivers.

I use Epson drivers for my Epson XP-3100 printer and I use 3rd party inks.
Click to expand...

Thx @wiganken ! Would you mind taking a screenshot of extra printing options avaibale? E.g. from a PDF file.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T14s
The initial print options vary depending upon where I am printing from. I see a different print UI if I print from a pdf file open in my pdf app than if I print from a pdf in my web browser.
However, if I go into Devices & Printers and select Printing Preferences for my Epson printer there are 3 tabs where one can make choices or carry out printer maintenance. See 3 photos. One for each tab: -

E1.webp

E2.webp

E3.webp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP EliteDesk 705 G5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE
    Memory
    8GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Hard Drives
    256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Inspiron 15-3576
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8250U
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 - 2400 SODIMM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK Hynix SC311 SATA SSD
Hugely appreciated, thx. Gave a good impression what (more or less) could be achieved / altered. Seems basically no-brainer to install the drivers. Thx once more for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T14s
I have an HP LaserJet Pro and an HP OfficeJet Pro connected to my Router, on my LAN. Any computer I connect to the Router can get the basics but if I want scanning and anything else I install the software for them. For mine it's called HP Smart but the instructions that accompanied them gave a location on HP's site as where/how to get the additional software, no charge, should be similar for other brands.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
tjsuominen said:
Hi all!

I have taken Epson ET-2870 inkjet printer into use just by adding that as Windows 11 printer via my wifi network (= printer uses generic Windows printer drivers). Printer works and prints 'ok'.

However, it seems that the printing / printer options are quite limited with standard Windows printing drivers.


The question goes: Should I install the Epson drivers from the manufacturer?


If yes, why?
If not, why not?


Lastly, can I use 3rd party inks if I install Epson specific drivers?


Appreciated!
Click to expand...
I use an Epson ET8550 EcoTank printer. You need the Epson drivers if you are serious about good quality printing. You also have an EcoTank printer for which the OEM inks work out far cheaper than standard low ink capacity printers. It's a false economy to use lower quality third party inks and you will invalidate your warranty by using them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self build
    CPU
    Core i7-13700K
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Plus WiFi Z790
    Memory
    64 GB Kingston Fury Beast DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 Super Gaming OC 8G
    Sound Card
    Realtek S1200A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VP2770
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Kingston KC3000 2TB NVME SSD & SATA HDDs & SSD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNova G2 850W
    Case
    Nanoxia Deep Silence 1
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Digital Media Pro
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    50 Mb / s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Which drivers updates should I install?
Replies
4
Views
269
Helmut
H
Solved Should I install pro or home for gaming PC?
Replies
3
Views
431
Winuser
Winuser

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom