Stop Windows from Changing the Default Printer Automatically

On Windows 10 and 11, if you have multiple printers (including virtual printers, such as Microsoft Print to PDF and Foxit PDF) and set your preferred one as the default, the default printer changes automatically the next time you print to a non-default printer.

Stop Windows from Changing the Default Printer

Click Start, type printers, and select Printers & Scanners from the list. This opens the modern Printers and Scanners user interface.

This interface lets you select the printer and set it as the default, or remove the device. Select your printer and click Set as default. Then, to prevent Windows from setting the default printer to the last used one, uncheck Let Windows manage my default printer.

(When this is on, Windows will set your default printer to be the one you used most recently at your current location.)

Here’s how the setting appears in Windows 11.

Note that if the “Let Windows manage my default printer” option is enabled, the “Set as default” button disappears on the printer’s “Manage your device” page in the Settings app.

Check your Sync settings

If the above setting is automatically enabled after some time or after a restart, check your Sync settings. If the “Other Windows settings” option is enabled in the Sync settings page, Windows will sync your printer, mouse, keyboard, and other settings.

Open Settings (WinKey + i), click Accounts, and Sync your settings.

Turn off the Other Windows settings toggle button.

(On Windows 11, open Settings → Accounts → Windows Backup. Expand “Remember my preferences”. Turn off “Other Windows settings.”)