How to Add or Remove Microsoft Print to PDF in Windows 11

What Is Microsoft Print to PDF?

This virtual printer eliminates the need for third-party software by letting applications export files directly to the Portable Document Format. Creating PDFs for sharing or archiving reduces reliance on paid document suites.

Files convert immediately into shareable documents upon completion.

Toggling the feature off and on resolves missing or broken PDF printer options.

How to Add or Remove Microsoft Print to PDF

Option 1Using Windows Features

1. Click the Start button, type Windows Features, and open Turn Windows features on or off. Requires admin privileges.
2. In the list, find Microsoft Print to PDF.
3. To add it, check the box. To remove it, uncheck the box.
4. Click OK to save your changes.
5. Restart your computer if prompted.

Press the Windows key, type Turn Windows features on or off, and select the matching result from the search menu. Locating the tool in this list and checking its box enables the functionality.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Windows Modules Installer in the list.
3. Double-click it and set the Startup type to Automatic.
4. Click Start if the service is stopped, then click OK.

Here is what the Windows Features window looks like:

Option 2Using Command Prompt (DISM)

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal (Admin). Requires admin privileges.
2. In the terminal window, type this command to add Microsoft Print to PDF and press Enter:
   
   dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:"Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features"
3. To remove it, type this command and press Enter:
   
   dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:"Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features"
4. Close the terminal when done.

Command Prompt with DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) offers another method for managing Microsoft Print to PDF. Run this command in the console window to install the feature:

Option 3Using PowerShell

1. Open Windows Terminal (Admin). Requires admin privileges.
2. Make sure you are in the PowerShell tab (or type powershell and press Enter).
3. To add Microsoft Print to PDF, type this command and press Enter:
   
   Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features"
4. To remove it, type this command and press Enter:
   
   Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features"
5. Close PowerShell when finished.

PowerShell provides a quick command-line approach for managing the printer utility. Opening Windows Terminal with administrator rights grants access to the specific commands needed for enabling or disabling the capability.

Summary

• Microsoft Print to PDF is a handy tool to save files as PDFs without extra software.
• You can add or remove it using Windows Features, Command Prompt, or PowerShell.
• Make sure you run these as an administrator.
• If you have trouble, check that the Windows Modules Installer service is running.
• Once restored, you can print to PDF from any app that supports printing.