Removing an unused or outdated printer from your Windows 10 device may seem like a straightforward task, but for many users, it can become confusing due to system settings, driver remnants, and hidden device listings. Whether you’re decluttering your list of printers, replacing an old device, or troubleshooting printer issues, properly uninstalling a printer ensures your system stays clean and optimized. 

Why Uninstalling a Printer May Be Necessary

There are several situations where Uninstall Printer on Windows 10 becomes essential:

You’ve replaced an old printer with a new one.

The printer is no longer in use and appears in the printer list unnecessarily.

Printer driver conflicts are causing system errors or print failures.

You are troubleshooting recurring printing issues or driver corruption.

The system is showing duplicate entries of the same printer.

Regardless of the reason, understanding the complete Uninstall Printer on Windows 10 process helps maintain a clean and smooth-running system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstall a Printer on Windows 10

Step 1: Disconnect the Printer (If Connected)

If your printer is connected via USB or network, it’s ideal to disconnect it before starting the uninstallation process.

For USB printers: Simply unplug the USB cable from your computer.

For network printers: Disconnect the printer from the network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), or disable it temporarily.

This step helps prevent Windows from automatically reinstalling the printer as a plug-and-play device during the uninstallation process.

Step 2: Remove the Printer from the Settings Menu

Open the Settings app by clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings (gear icon), or press Windows + I.

Navigate to Devices > Printers & scanners.

You’ll see a list of all installed printers. Locate the printer you want to remove.

To access the Remove device option, click on the printer’s name.

Click Remove device, and confirm when prompted.

Note: This step removes the printer from the list of active printers but does not always remove the associated drivers or software from the system.

Step 3: Uninstall Printer Software (If Applicable)

Some printers install utility software alongside drivers. To remove these:

Navigate to the Start menu and select Control Panel.

Click on Programs > Programs and Features.

Look for any software entries related to the printer brand (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.).

Select and uninstall them one by one by clicking Uninstall at the top of the list.

This step ensures that no unnecessary software is left running in the background or occupying system resources.

Step 4: Remove Printer Drivers via Print Management

Even after removing the device and software, printer drivers might still reside on the system.

Important: The Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions of Windows 10 all provide print management. If Windows 10 Home is installed, move on to the next step.

Here’s how to remove printer drivers using Print Management:

Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter after pressing Windows + R.

In the Print Management window, navigate to:

Print Servers > [Your Computer Name] > Drivers

Right-click the driver you want to remove, then select Remove Driver Package.

Confirm the removal when prompted.

Step 5: Use Device Manager for Driver Cleanup (Alternative Method)

If Print Management is not available (such as on Windows 10 Home), you can use Device Manager:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

Go to View > Show hidden devices.

Expand Print queues or Printers.

Right-click the printer you want to uninstall and select Uninstall device.

Restart your computer to complete the removal.

This helps eliminate driver remnants and hidden entries.

Step 6: Manually Delete Remaining Files and Registry Entries (Optional)

This step is optional and should only be performed by advanced users who are comfortable modifying system files and the registry.

Delete Printer Files:

Type %windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS and hit Enter after pressing Windows + R.

If prompted, click Continue for admin access.

Delete all files in this folder.

Remove Registry Entries (Advanced):

Warning: Incorrect registry editing might lead to system instability. Prior to making any changes, always save a registry backup.

Type regedit, hit Enter, and then press Windows + R.

Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers

Locate the subkey for the printer you took out.

Right-click and delete it.

Common Issues During Printer Uninstallation

Printer reappears after removal: This usually happens if the printer is still connected or Windows reinstalls it automatically.

Driver in use error: Try restarting the Print Spooler service and then attempt the removal again.

Access denied errors: Make sure you are logged in with administrative privileges.

   FAQs

Can I reinstall the same printer after uninstalling it?

Yes. Uninstall Printer on Windows 10 doesn’t prevent you from reinstalling it in the future. Windows will typically recognize and install the printer automatically if you just reconnect it.

What happens if I remove a printer that’s currently in use?

A print job will be aborted if a printer is removed while it is processing it. Ensure all print jobs are cleared before removal.

Is it necessary to remove printer drivers after deleting the printer?

Not always. However, if you’re troubleshooting or planning to install a different version of the driver, removing the old one is recommended to avoid conflicts.

I don’t see Print Management on my Windows 10. What should I do?

Print Management is not available on Windows 10 Home edition. Use Device Manager or command-line tools like printui.exe instead.

Will uninstalling the printer free up disk space?

Yes, removing drivers and software associated with the printer can free up a modest amount of disk space, especially if bundled utilities are large.

Conclusion

Uninstall Printer on Windows 10 involves more than just clicking “Remove device.” From clearing drivers to eliminating associated software, following a complete removal process helps ensure that your system stays efficient and free from potential driver conflicts. This task, while simple on the surfa