Windows 10: "Microsoft Print to PDF" option is not available when trying to update the printer driver.

Hello,I am having a ton of trouble using the Microsoft Print to PDF feature - which I have NOT had a problem with in the past. I have used it before on this computer, which has Windows 11, and as far as I can tell, I am not doing anything differently from what I have done in the past. The original problem, that led me to my current problem, was that every file I tried to print using the Microsoft Print to PDF option, saves as a 0 Byte file and comes up with the error: "Can't open this file. Something went wrong."I have thoroughly searched through and attempted different options, all to no avai

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unable to select Microsoft Print to PDF, as the driver is not available

I have been unable to install/repair Microsoft Print to PDF. After working my way through several online suggestions, including:

SFC scan, DISM scan, making sure .NET framework was enabled, using the windows 10 update troubleshooter and resetting the windows update components I was finally able to activate Microsoft Print to PDF within the "Turn Windows features on and off" only after
I turned off the print spooler. Then and only then was I able to select the Microsoft Print to PDF in the windows features and then have it successfully load.

The problem now is that if I go into add device and then select printer not listed and try to add a new local printer, if I select Microsoft as the printer, the option of Print to PDF is not listed. In other words, the driver for Microsoft Print
to PDF is not listed as an option. Any help on how to reinstall/repair this?

thanks,

 

Print to PDF missing in Printer List

Hi William,

We suggest that you disable and re-enable the Print to PDF feature. Here are the steps:

• Click on the Start menu and type in Windows Features.
• Choose Turn Windows features on or off.
• On the next window, find Microsoft Print to PDF and disable it. Click
  OK to save changes.
• Restart your PC.
• Repeat the same steps to re-enable Microsoft Print to PDF.

If the issue persists, we suggest that you perform the troubleshooting steps suggested on the link below under
Advanced:

Fix printer problems

Regards.

 

Print to PDF missing in Printer List

Thanks for your help. I was browsing the web the other day and I found a page called FINAL DRAFT. They had a set of instructions for reinstalling the Microsoft Print to PDF utility that worked great for me. Problem solved.