Windows 10: Turn On or Off Let Windows 10 Manage Default Printer

Hello epsroaks, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

That would most likely be why.

When this setting is turned on, it makes your default printer the last printer you used.

 

hey Brink,

Well that makes sense. Why didn't i think of that? And thanks for explaining that, yeah i feel like a DUH *Redface

Alright, now the big mystery, I turned it off before but that caused a problem with one specific Excel 2003 Spreadsheet, it just would not print regardless of how i saved it as. Could it be something with the Program EXCEL 03 itself working with 10? But why, it's a Microsoft product, they should all get along, right? I was able to print off other spreadsheets and docs from Word and Publisher files also 2003 versions.

So it's corrupted maybe? No, it isn't, it worked after a few days out of the blue but only after I switched the OFF back to ON 'Let Windows Manage my Default Printer'. So i am a lot leary of turning it off you see. (What did I do that caused it to work again? *Shock)

This is what took place in the OFF position: for whatever reason, well I have an HP 8630 all in one printer, (and it isn't 4 months old yet), it just would not print after i turned that switch to the off position. We received and sent faxes from it and made copies, but it would not print from any of my PC programs. *Banghead (oh it print from cell phones, and yes it is also hard wired USB) I got a pop up saying there was a paper jam. But there wasn't a paper jam. there wasn't any paper where paper wasn't supposed to be. WHAT?!?!?!...Okay...well...i gave up. Next day, tried again, nope, would not print that spreadsheet just like before. A pop up telling me there was a paper jam. So i tried the following: I took the paper drawer out, took out the paper, re-stacked it, said a prayer, put it back in the drawer ensuring it was flat and positioned properly. Slid it back into place and low and behold it printed. ( this sounds like i'm making it up, i promise you i am not.)

I don't want to go through all of those steps if I don't need to. It's time consuming. Brink, what's the answer? (I never had trouble like this before the upgrade...no i can't go back, we are a nonprofit, small, funding just isn't there to spend that kind of money again.)

 

epsroaks,

As a test, you might set up the printer on the network using an Ethernet connection to see if it's recognized and prints properly.

 

thanks, i'll give that a shot

 

That would make too much sense if they created a GPO for this inconvenient default setting.

 

Well i am sorry i forgot all about this thread. I didn't do anything you suggested. It just started to work correctly on its own. So i didn't mess with it. Guess i will have to wait for Microsoft programs to bug again b4 u will see me again.

 

I'm glad to hear that it's working for you again. *Smile

 

Hy guys, here is a homemade .admx/.adml for getting a nice GPO for this.
The group policy will appear in :
User -> Strategies -> Administrative Templates -> Printers -> "Do not let Windows manage default printer"

I'm french so there is a fr-FR .adml included. Maybe some mistakes in the en-US translations file.

"WindowsLegacyPrinterMode.admx" to put in your PolicyDefinitions directory :
[XML] WindowsLegacyPrinterMode.admx - Pastebin.com

"WindowsLegacyPrinterMode.adml" to put in your PolicyDefinitions/en-US/ directory :
[XML] WindowsLegacyPrinterMode.adml - Pastebin.com

"WindowsLegacyPrinterMode.adml" to put in your PolicyDefinitions/fr-FR/ directory for french translations :
[XML] WindowsLegacyPrinterMode.adml - Pastebin.com


Hope it'll help !

 

Thanks for all the above but non of it relates to my version of win10 Pro 64bit a fully paid for virgin installation on a new computer. I can find absolutely no trace of the off button nor the on for that matter. My installation is the very latest fully updated. My Devices and Printers page looks nothing like the above. When I go into Device manage only one of my printers is shown. This auto change of default printer is costing me a fortune in headed paper. It even happens when I am in the same program typing invoices every other on gets printed on plain paper, when You are printing up to 100 invoice at a go it is very time consuming having to double check which printer it is going to use. So far I seem to have wasted half a forest!

Can you sort this or do I have to get on to Microsoft and let them access my computer to sort it?

 

Hello Jackhandle, *Smile

Yeah, this setting is only available starting with build 10565. What build of Windows 10 do you have installed? This will also be included in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update on August 2nd.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...mber-find.html

Usually, when you print something you are able to select which printer to use first with the default printer selected by default of course.

 

The Build number is 10586-494.
A very good morning to you

Are you saying that we will get the option of turning off and on in the Anniversary edition? If so then I only have a couple of weeks to go. A nice 70th Birthday present for me on 30th July.

If there is a relatively easy way to do it in the mean time I would appreciate it.

Many thanks for your help

 

Good morning Jack. *Smile

That's correct. This setting will be included in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update on Aug. 2nd.

I'm not aware of a way to stop it until then other than selecting the printer to use when printing for now.