Steps to Uninstall or Remove Printer Driver on Windows 11
Key Notes
- Multiple methods are available: Settings, Print Management, CMD, and PowerShell.
- Regularly removing unused printer drivers enhances system performance.
- Always restart your PC after removing drivers to ensure changes take effect.
Uninstalling Printer Drivers on Windows 11: A Comprehensive Guide
In the age of technology, managing printer drivers on your system efficiently is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. This guide provides you with four effective methods to uninstall or remove printer drivers on Windows 11, ensuring your computer runs smoothly and efficiently.
Steps to Remove Printer Drivers on Windows 11
Step 1: Uninstall via Settings
To uninstall a printer and its driver through the Settings app, follow these steps:
- Press Win + I to open the Settings application.
- Navigate to Bluetooth & Devices on the left sidebar.
- Click on Printers & Scanners to see the list of installed printers.
- Select the printer you wish to remove and click on the Remove button.
- Confirm the action if prompted by selecting Yes.
- The printer driver will be uninstalled automatically.(Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.)
Pro Tip: Always verify that no print jobs are pending before removing a printer.
Step 2: Remove through Print Management
To uninstall a printer driver using Print Management:
- Press Win + S to open the search function.
- Type Print Management and double-click the first result.
- Expand Custom Filters and click on All Drivers.
- Locate the driver you want to uninstall, right-click it, and select Remove Driver Package.
- Confirm the removal by clicking Yes when prompted.
- The printer driver will be immediately uninstalled.
Pro Tip: You can manage all installed printer drivers from this section for easy access.
Step 3: Command Prompt Uninstallation
Follow these instructions to remove a printer driver via Command Prompt:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Once the User Account Control window appears, click Yes.
- In the command line, type the following command and press Enter :
- Next, to uninstall the printer, type:
- Your printer will be removed. Restart your PC after this step.
wmic printer get name
printui.exe /dl /n "YOUR-PRINTER-NAME"
(Replace YOUR-PRINTER-NAME
with the actual printer name).
Pro Tip: If you are unsure of the printer name, use the first command to list all installed printers.
Step 4: PowerShell Removal Commands
For those who prefer PowerShell, here’s how to uninstall a printer driver:
- Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
- Enter the cmdlet below and hit Enter :
- To remove the desired printer, type:
- Finally, restart your device to clean out any leftover files.
Get-Printer | Format-List Name
Remove-Printer -Name "YOUR-PRINTER-NAME"
(Again, replace YOUR-PRINTER-NAME
with your actual driver’s name).
Pro Tip: PowerShell provides powerful features for managing printers, making it a preferred choice for advanced users.
Extra Tips for Printer Driver Management
- Regularly check and uninstall unused printer drivers to enhance PC performance.
- Consider using Windows Update to ensure all drivers are current and functioning well.
- Always restart your computer after making changes to printer installations to ensure proper updates.
Summary
This guide has detailed four effective methods for uninstalling printer drivers on Windows 11, ranging from using the Settings app to more advanced approaches with Command Prompt and PowerShell. By following the steps outlined, users can easily maintain their system’s efficiency by managing and removing unnecessary printer drivers.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clutter-free environment regarding printer drivers is vital for a smoothly functioning computer. Using the methods highlighted in this guide, you can effectively uninstall old or unused printer drivers on Windows 11, ensuring your device runs at optimal performance levels. Implement these actions regularly as part of your routine system upkeep.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I know if I have printer drivers to uninstall?
You can view installed printer drivers by accessing the Printers & Scanners section in Settings or using the Print Management utility in Windows 11.
Can I remove multiple printer drivers at once?
Currently, Windows 11 does not support batch removal of printer drivers. Each driver must be uninstalled individually.
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