Windows 7 – Automatic change of default printer

I found a nice little feature the other day, that I would like to share with you. A new great feature in Windows 7, is that you now can configure automatic default printer based on the network you are connected to (location-aware printing). It is very simple to configure.

How to change default printer automatically

If you have a laptop, that you use both at home and at work or at school, you can configure it to automatically change default printer, depending on which network you are on. Maybe you have tried to sit and work at home, being connected to the company network. You find something you want to print (maybe even something personally) and hit the print button like you always do. You look at your printer and nothing happens. You check that the printer is turned on and it is. Then suddenly it gets you. You have sent the print job to the office printer….!

To avoid this, you can configure automatic default printer, based on the network you are connected to (Need to be a laptop and Windows 7 professional, Ultimate or Enterprise edition).

Follow these steps to Manage Default Printers

Go to Device and Printers
Select your default printer and click on Manage default printers
Default printer

Select Change my default printer when I change networks and select a default printer for each network.

Manage default printers

That is all you need to do. Now you computer automatic change your default printer, to the one that match the network you are connected to. This is an awesome feature if you ask me.

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10 Thoughts to “Windows 7 – Automatic change of default printer”

    1. Thomas

      Glad you liked it Edwin.

  1. Dana

    The tip is simple but very useful. It save my time to have this automatic default printer change.

    1. Hi Dana
      Glad that you liked the tip. Sometimes the simple tips are just the best. Hope to see you back here soon.

  2. Allyson Stewart

    Another help tip, Thomas. I’ve used the first option, “Always use the same printer as my default printer,” before, but never the second option. Now, I know how to set it up should I need to. Thanks!

    1. Hi Allyson
      It really is a nice little feature in Windows 7. So many people have over the years tried sending a “private” print job at home to one of the company printers. Are you still not on twitter? I will love to help you if you have any questions about it. Just let me know 🙂

  3. ellen dtg

    Hi, Thomas, Thanks for the tips. I am agree with you that Sometimes the simple tips are just the best. I work with printer but this is the first time I know how to make windows7 automatic change of default printer.

  4. is there any other way if we use windows 7 starter and Home Premium? Thanks

    1. Not in Windows. Maybe you can find a 3th. party program that can do the same.

  5. Hamdani Saad

    Its nice trick.
    Simple way to change default printer. Thanks for sharing it.

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