To delete unnecessary printers for good, you need to remove them from both the Windows Settings and the deeper system registries so they do not reappear.
Here is the step-by-step guide to clearing them out completely on Windows 10 and 11. Step 1: Remove via Windows Settings
This is the standard first step to remove the device from your visible list. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
Click on Bluetooth & devices (Windows 11) or Devices (Windows 10). Select Printers & scanners. Click on the printer you want to delete. Click the Remove or Remove device button. Step 2: Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job will prevent Windows from deleting a printer permanently. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Scroll down to find Print Spooler. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
Press Windows Key + R again, type C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, and hit Enter. Delete all files inside this folder to clear stuck jobs.
Return to the Services window, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start. Step 3: Remove the Driver via Print Management
If the driver remains installed, Windows may automatically reinstall the printer.
Press Windows Key + R, type printmanagement.msc, and press Enter. Expand Print Servers, then expand your computer’s name.
Click on Printers and delete the unwanted printer from the center pane. Click on Drivers in the left pane.
Right-click the printer’s driver and select Remove Driver Package. Choose Delete to completely erase the driver files. Step 4: Delete Residual Registry Keys
If the printer still keeps coming back, you must remove its lingering registry footprints. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers
Look through the folders for the name of your deleted printer. Right-click the printer’s folder and select Delete. Restart your computer to apply all changes.
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