How to Uninstall a Printer Driver in Windows

If you need to remove a printer driver in Windows, whether due to errors, printer replacement, or simply cleaning up unnecessary software, the process can seem daunting. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you safely and efficiently uninstall a printer driver in Windows.

Step 1: Disconnect the Printer from the Computer

Before starting, ensure the printer is disconnected from your computer. This helps prevent any conflicts or errors during the uninstallation process. Simply unplug the USB cable or disconnect the printer from the network.

Step 2: Open the “Devices and Printers” Menu

In Windows 10 or Windows 11, do the following:

  • Click “Start” and select “Settings”.
  • Go to the “Devices” section and choose “Printers & Scanners”.
  • Find your printer in the list and select it.
  • Click the “Remove Device” button to delete the printer from your system.

Step 3: Open “Print Management”

To fully remove the driver, you’ll need to use the built-in “Print Management” utility. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the “Run” dialog box.
  2. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter.

Note: In some versions of Windows, this utility may not be available. If that’s the case, use Command Prompt instead (see Step 4).

Step 4: Uninstall the Driver via Print Management

In the Print Management window, do the following:

  • Select the “All Drivers” section from the menu on the left.
  • Find the printer driver you wish to uninstall, right-click it, and select “Remove”.

Alternative Method: Removing the Driver via Command Prompt

If you don’t have access to Print Management, you can use the Command Prompt:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (type cmd in search, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”).
  2. Type the command printui.exe /s /t2 and press Enter.
  3. In the window that opens, select the printer driver you want to remove and click “Remove”.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

After uninstalling the driver, it’s recommended to restart your computer to ensure changes take effect and the system is completely cleared of all files associated with the printer driver.