Windows 10: Devices and Printers - Attack of the Clones

Every few months for the last couple of years I open Devices and Printers in Control Panel to find many clones of the same item under Multimedia Devices. There is an obvious glitch in how Windows handles these devices, as they are not recognised as the same device and another is created. The only solution available on the internet is to sit there and manually delete these clones one at a time, it can not be done in one go, which is completely ridiculous when there are so many. I've already done this several times and I've decided I'm over it and have better things to spend my time on. Either windows needs to fix the cloning of devices, or implement an easier way for the user to delete multiple devices.

:)

 

Printer

Hi Brenda,

Thank you for using Windows 10.

I suggest you to use these steps and check:

• Press Windows/Start key.
• Type Devices and Printers and then tap or click Devices and Printers.
• Press and hold or right-click the printer you want to use, and then tap or click
  Set as default printer.

Let us know if you need more information and we'll be glad to assist.

 

Printer not printing after installing the device on the PC on Windows 10.

Hi Yitzchak,

I suggest you to uninstall and re-install the printer as a work around and check if it helps.

Step 1: Uninstall the printer:

• 
  Press “Windows + X” keys on the keyboard.
  
• 
  Click on “Device Manager” from that list.
  
• 
  Search for the “Printer” device from the device list, right click on it and then select “Uninstall”. On the un-installation window, if you have an option: “Delete the driver software for
  this device” you may select that and then remove its drivers from the computer.
  
• 
  Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it and the restart the computer if prompted.
  

You may also uninstall any related software provided by the printer manufacturer from the computer from “Programs and Features”. For this, you may follow these steps:

• 
  Press “Windows + X” keys on the keyboard and select “Programs and Features” from that list.
  
• 
  Search for any software provided by the printer manufacturer in the program list and if available, you may select it and click on “Uninstall” to remove it from the computer.
  
• 
  Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it and the restart the computer if prompted.
  

Step 2: Install a Printer

Refer to the below link about: Install a printer

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/install-printer#install-printer=windows-8

Hope this helps.

 

Missing Devices & Printers

Hi Tony,

Thank for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concerned. Let me help you to fix the issue.

To assist you better, please provide us more information.

• 
  What is the make and model of the printer?
  
• 
  What is the exact issue are you facing?
  
• 
  When you say ‘’ Most of my devices’’ what are device that is missing?
  

Let’s try simple troubleshooting steps and check if this helps in resolving the issue. Follow the below methods.

Method 1.

I suggest you to run Printer troubleshooter and check if it this helps.

• 
  Type troubleshooting on the search bar and click on
  Troubleshooting.
  
• 
  Click on Troubleshooting and click on print on
  printer Hardware and Sound.
  
• 
  Click on Advanced on the Printer troubleshooter dialog box and click on Run as administrator (Enter the credentials if required).
  
• 
  Click on Next and follow onscreen instruction complete the Printer troubleshooter.
  

If the issue still persist try the method.

Method 2.

I recommend you to update the printer driver and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

• 
  Press Windows Key + X and click on
  Device Manager.
  
• 
  Locate for the Print Queues and expand it.
  
• 
  Right click on the printer and click on
  uninstall.
  
• 
  Once you are uninstalling the driver, restart the computer.
  

If that does not help fix the issue, I suggest you to go to the printer manufacturer website, download the latest printer driver and install the same.

Hope this helps. Post us with status we will be glad to help you.