Windows 10: Printer defaults issue when using two printers

Hello, Microsoft pros


I hope I'm posting in the right place.


I'm experiencing a strange issue with printing, which goes way beyond my nearly-non-existent IT skills.

I hope I will find someone who can understand where the problem lies, and what can I do to permanently fix it !


Thanks by advance !


Context :

I'm working my small music shop with an associate who is a music instrument repair specialist.


We have three computers -

- mine, with Windows 10

- one for the point of sale (Windows 7)

- one for the repair workshop (Windows 7 too).

All of them are on the same network.


We have three printers :

- a label printer (Zebra ZD410), connected to my computer only,

- one laser printer (HP M15w), connected to the workshop computer only,

- one (Lexmark MS421dn), network shared between the POS computer and mine

The Lexmark is the default printer for both computers (POS and mine).


Issue :

When I try to print something on the Lexmark just after printing labels (with the Zebra), what I get is something with the same width as my labels, but printed on a letter paper. And, weird thing, it doesn't happen the other way around (Lexmark first, then Zebra).


Temporary (I hope...) workaround :

First time I want to print something just after printing labels, I have to go to the computer settings to get things working as expected. Easy, but a little bit time consuming.

:)

 

Setting Default Printer via Startup Script

I do it with VB logon scripts


"Dim ps0 [<------ our printer server the printers are added/managed on]
Dim printer

ps0 = "\\ps0\"
printer = "S14 - Oki ES4140" [<------- the name of the printer as it is shown on the server]

Set wshNetwork = CreateObject("WScript.Network")
on Error Resume Next

'Deletes all network printers
Set clPrinters = wshNetwork.EnumPrinterConnections
On Error Resume Next
For i = 0 to clPrinters.Count - 1 Step 2
wshNetwork.RemovePrinterConnection clPrinters.Item(i+1), true
Next

'Add Network printer
wshNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection ps0 & printer

'Set Default Printer
wshNetwork.SetDefaultPrinter ps0 & printer" [<------ this bit sets it as default (note: this must be applied as the first policy before any other printers policies, otherwise it deletes them)]

 

Setting Default Printer via Startup Script

This looks like a good solution, and similar to some of the VB scripts I tried.. but it is a logon script. I would need something that works as a startup script. We are not mapping printers to users as they move around too much, but rather mapping to each computer.

The Link that W1ZZARD posted is good information. Sadly however, I have tried utilizing most of the commands that are available. The /c command is indeed interesting, but we are trying to map them when a computer starts up (prior to logon screen) versus just mapping them remotely. The purpose would be if we had a lab that needed the default printer changed, sure we could just send the remote command to each machine, or even remote into them ourselves and manually do it, but I was looking for a smoother alternative.

It seems like its just something that will have to be done manually and with user education.

Thanks for all the suggestions though.

 

Default network printer randomly defaults to the adobe PDF printer

Start button > Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners >click at your printer > click Set as Default > click at Microsoft Print to PDF > click Remove device > click Yes to confirm >
I would suggest that you enable Let Windows manage my default printer option. That way, your default printer will be the last printer used.