How to Uninstall Printer on Windows 10?

Printers, like any other hardware connected to a computer, occasionally require management—especially when they become outdated, stop functioning properly, or need to be replaced. In such scenarios, removing the printer from the system is often the first logical step. This guide provides a clear and complete explanation of how to uninstall a printer from a Windows 10 computer.

Why Uninstalling a Printer Matters

Before diving into the how-to steps, it helps to understand why one might want to uninstall a printer:

The printer is no longer in use or physically available.

A new printer is replacing the old one.

Printer drivers are causing errors or conflicts.

You’re reorganizing or decluttering the list of installed devices.

Troubleshooting requires a fresh installation.

Removing a printer not only frees up space on the device list but also clears associated drivers and settings, which can prevent recurring configuration issues in the future.

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

Here is a detailed walkthrough for properly uninstalling a printer.

Step 1: Open Settings

Start by launching the Windows Settings panel:

Click on the Start Menu

Select the gear icon (⚙️) labeled Settings

Alternatively, press Windows + I on your keyboard

Step 2: Go to Devices

Inside the Settings panel:

Click on Devices

This will open a menu for Bluetooth, printers, mouse settings, etc.

Step 3: Access the ‘Printers & Scanners’ Section

On the left-hand menu, select ‘Printers & Scanners’

A list of all the printers and scanners that have been installed on the device will be displayed to you.

Step 4: Choose the Printer You Want to Remove

Scroll through the list and click on the printer you wish to uninstall

Once selected, a new button will appear labeled ‘Remove device’

Step 5: Click ‘Remove Device’

Click the ‘Remove device’ button

A confirmation prompt will appear; confirm that you want to remove the printer

Windows will remove the gadget from the list once it has been verified.

At this point, the printer is removed from your list of devices, but it may still have associated drivers stored on the system.

Removing Printer Drivers (Optional but Recommended)

Even after a printer is removed from the device list, its driver files may remain installed. Removing these drivers is useful for clearing space or avoiding driver conflicts in the future.

Step 6: Open Print Server Properties

Follow these steps:

In the Printers & Scanners section, scroll down and click on ‘Print Server Properties’ (this link may appear on the right side under "Related Settings").

The Print Server Properties box will pop up.

Step 7: Go to the Drivers Tab

Select the Drivers tab in the Print Server Properties box.

This section lists all the installed printer drivers

Step 8: Select and Remove the Driver

Click on the driver that corresponds to the printer you’ve uninstalled

Click the ‘Remove’ button

You’ll be prompted with two options:

Remove driver only

Remove driver and driver package

For a clean uninstall, choose ‘Remove driver and driver package’

Removing a Printer Using Control Panel (Alternative Method)

For those who prefer the classic Windows interface, the Control Panel also allows users to uninstall a printer.

Step 1: Open Control Panel

Type control and hit Enter after pressing Windows + R.

Or use the Start Menu to look for the Control Panel.

Step 2: Go to ‘Devices and Printers’

Click "Devices and Printers" in the Control Panel.

This view shows all connected hardware, including printers

Step 3: Right-Click and Remove

Find the printer you want to uninstall

Right-click on it and select ‘Remove device’

Confirm the action when prompted

This method performs similarly to the Settings method but may feel more familiar for long-time Windows users.

Extra Steps for Network or Wireless Printers

Sometimes, network printers require a few extra steps if they’re linked to a shared system or local IP address.

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers

Right-click on the network printer you want to remove

Choose ‘Remove device’

If the printer keeps reappearing, navigate to:

Settings > Accounts > Access work or school

Disconnect from any associated network policies that may be re-adding devices automatically

What to Do if the Printer Won’t Uninstall

Occasionally, a printer may resist removal due to driver lock-in or background services.

Here are some troubleshooting actions:

Restart the computer and try again

Stop the Print Spooler service via services.msc

FAQs

Why is my printer still showing up after I removed it?

Network policies or printer drivers may occasionally re-add printers automatically. Try removing the driver through the Print Server Properties and disconnecting any network profiles.

How can I remove a printer that won’t be deleted?

You can stop the Print Spooler service temporarily and then delete the printer. Go to services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click to stop it, then try removing the printer again.

After removing a printer, do I have to restart?

While not always required, restarting your system ensures that any cached settings or background services linked to the printer are fully reset.

How do I remove a wireless or network printer?

Treat it the same as a local printer, but make sure to remove it from the network settings or disconnect from the organization’s shared devices if it keeps reappearing.

Will uninstalling the printer affect my other devices?

No, uninstalling a printer only removes the selected printer and its associated drivers from the current system. Other connected hardware or devices will remain unaffected.

Conclusion

Uninstalling a printer from a Windows 10 system is not a complicated task, but it does benefit from a complete understanding of both device removal and driver management. Taking the time to fully remove printers ensures a cleaner system, avoids potential conflicts, and makes room for new hardware or updated software configurations.