Last updated on March 13th, 2017
In several cases users may face printing problems, because of the existence of several installed printer drivers belonging to printers that they don't use anymore. This usually happens, because most users, when they change their old (useless) printer device, with a new one, doesn't also uninstall the corresponding driver/software of the old printer. As a result, user(s) cannot print, because the print spooler (queue) is full and stuck with print jobs to printers that do not exist anymore (not connected).
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This article shows the correct way to completely remove printer drivers in Windows in order to resolve printing problems. (Remove Unused or Damaged Printer Drivers)
How to Properly Uninstall Unwanted Printers in Windows (All Versions)
Step 1. Uninstall Old Printer Software.
Of course, the first step to remove an unused printing device from your system, is to uninstall the corresponding printer software from Programs and Features in Control Panel. To do that:
- Dibawah ini akan dijelaskan tutorial cara menginstal printer baik dengan dan tanpa CD di Windows 10, namun juga bisa di Windows lain. Kolom Gadget – Bagi kita yang bekerja di kantor, atau bekerja di percetakan, printer bukan lagi hal yang jarang kita temui.
- Ini Dia Cara menghapus Daftar Printer Yang Tidak Digunakan Di Windows 8 10. Setelah itu silahkan kawan buka Folder System32 di Drive C. Atau cara cepatnya ketikkan ini C: Windows System32 spool. Menghapus printer dari devices and printers yang sudah tidak digunakan. Kemudian kawan hapuslah seluruh file dalam folder PRINTERS ya 😀.
1. Simultaneously press the Win + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
3. In the program list, select the Printer software/driver that you want to remove and click Uninstall.
4. When the uninstall process is completed, restart your computer.*
* Note: If you have a multifunction (All In One) printer, then repeat the process and uninstall all the additional software regarding to it.
Step 2. Completely Remove Unused, Wrong or Damaged Printer Drivers.
After you have removed all the installed printer software, it's time to ensure that your system is clean from the useless printer driver(s).
Windows 7, 8 or 10 Home. *
* Note: If you use Windows 10, 8 or 7 Pro edition, click here.
– If you use Windows 10, 8 or 7 Home edition, navigate to Device and Printers in Control Panel. To do that:
1. Simultaneously press the Win + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type control panel and press Enter.
3. Change the View By (at the up right) to Small icons and then open Devices and Printers.
4. Now see in 'Printer and Faxes section', if the unused printer still exists on the list. If so, then right click on it and select Remove device.
5. After printer removal, highlight (select) any other printing device (e.g. 'Microsoft XPS Document Writer', Fax, etc.) under the 'Printers and Faxes' section and then click Print server properties.
6. At Print Server Properties window, select the Drivers tab.
7. Finally, select the printer driver that you want to completely delete from your system and select Remove.
8. When the removal is completed, restart your computer. *
* Note: If you face printing problems, then proceed and remove all Print Spooler jobs by following the instructions in this article: Fix Spoolsv.exe error and Printing Error problems
Windows 7, 8 or 10 Professional.
If you own a Windows 10, 8 or 7 PRO Operating System, then you can use the 'Print Management' console, to manage the installed printers (add or remove printers & drivers). To do that:
1. Simultaneously press the Win + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter, to launch the Print Management console.
3. In Print Management console, select All Printers on the left pane and see if the unused printer exist on the list. If so, right click on it and select Delete.
4. Then select All Drivers at the left.
5. Right click at the Printer driver that you want to completely remove from your system and select Remove Driver Package.
6. When the removal is completed, restart your computer. *
* Note: If you face printing problems, then proceed and remove all Print Spooler jobs by following the instructions in this article: Fix Spoolsv.exe error and Printing Error problems
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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The Registry contains information Microsoft Windows uses to determine how to configure the operating system, applications and connected hardware devices. For an installed printer, the Registry contains definitions that describe the location of the printer's driver, its version and date, its manufacturer and other critical information. Most of the time, businesses won't need to modify the information in the Registry, but if a printer stops working and reinstalling it via Devices and Printers doesn't work, you may need to delete the driver from the Registry and install the printer again. Keep in mind that making changes to the Registry can adversely affect your computer, so back up the Registry first.
1.Click 'Start,' type 'regedit' into the search box and then select 'regedit.exe' from the results or press 'Enter.'
2.Navigate through the folders, or keys, as follows: 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SYSTEM CurrentControlSet Control Print Environments Windows NT x86 Drivers Version-3.'
3.Right-click the printer from the left pane. Select 'Delete' from the context menu and then click 'Yes,' when prompted.
4.Return to the 'Print' key and then expand 'Printers.' Right-click the printer from the left pane.
5.Click 'Delete' and then 'Yes.' Click 'Start,' type 'services.msc' into the search field and then press 'Enter.'
6.Double-click 'Print Spooler.' Click 'Stop' and then 'Start' to restart the service.
Tips
- If you are running a 64-bit version of Windows, open 'Windows x64' instead of 'Windows NT x86' when in Registry Editor.
- If deleting a network printer, instead navigate through 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SYSTEM CurrentControlSet Control Print Providers LanMan Print Services Servers Printers' and 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER Printers Connections' and then delete the appropriate printer following the same instructions as above.
Warning
- Making changes to the Registry affects your operating system. Back up the Registry before making changes to it and make sure you know how to restore it in the event that you need to return it to its previous state.
References (3)
About the Author
Ruri Ranbe has been working as a writer since 2008. She received an A.A. in English literature from Valencia College and is completing a B.S. in computer science at the University of Central Florida. Ranbe also has more than six years of professional information-technology experience, specializing in computer architecture, operating systems, networking, server administration, virtualization and Web design.