How to Delete Printer Drivers in Windows 11
Deleting printer drivers in Windows 11 cleans up your system and stops problems caused by old or broken driver files. A printer driver is special software that lets your computer talk to your printer.
These drivers can stay on your PC even after you remove the printer. For example, an old driver for an HP printer might cause trouble when you try to add a new Canon printer.
Keeping these leftover drivers can lead to your computer not seeing new printers correctly or making your system run poorly. Removing them helps keep Windows 11 running well.
Delete printer drivers in Windows 11 by first removing the printer in Settings. Then, open Print Server Properties by typing printui /s /t2, select the driver, and click Remove. Choose “Remove driver and driver package” for a complete deletion.
Why delete printer drivers?
When you uninstall a printer, Windows often leaves the driver files behind. These files take up space and can cause conflicts if they are corrupted. You should delete them to stop ‘ghost printers’ from appearing in apps like Word or Photoshop.
What happens when done?
Once finished, the driver package is completely removed from your system. You will need to download and install the driver again if you decide to use that printer in the future. This ensures a clean install without old, broken files interfering with your new setup.
Step 1Remove the printer
Before you delete the driver, you must remove the printer from your settings.
- Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
windows 11 settings button - Click Bluetooth & devices on the left.
- Select Printers & scanners on the right.
windows 11 add new scanners - Click on the name of the printer you want to delete.
windows 11 share a printer with others - Click the Remove button.
windows 11 share printer properties remove
Step 2Restart the Print Spooler Service
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Scroll down to find Print Spooler.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
Step 3Delete the driver using Print Server Properties
You can delete printer drivers in Windows 11 using the Print Server Properties tool. This tool helps you manage all the printer drivers installed on your computer. To open it, press the Windows key and R at the same time, then type printui /s /t2 and press Enter.
- Press Windows key + R, type printui /s /t2, and press Enter.
- A list of installed drivers will appear.
- Select the driver you want to remove and click Remove.
- Choose Remove driver and driver package to fully wipe it from C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore.
Step 4Advanced Cleanup with Command Line
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type pnputil /enum-drivers to see all installed drivers.
- Identify the Published Name (e.g., oem12.inf).
- Type pnputil /delete-driver oem12.inf /uninstall and press Enter.
Step 5Registry Cleanup
Note: This step requires administrator privileges. Sometimes registry keys keep printers alive.
- Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers.
- Delete the folder corresponding to your old printer.
Summary
Deleting old printer drivers in Windows 11 helps keep your computer running smoothly and saves disk space by removing unneeded files.
Why do printer drivers still appear in Word or Photoshop after removal?
Printer drivers might still show up in apps like Word or Photoshop after you've removed the printer because the driver files often stay in the Windows DriverStore.
How to perform a clean install of printer drivers in 🪟 Windows 11?
To perform a clean install, first remove the printer in Settings, then delete the driver package using the printui /s /t2 command. Restart your computer to clear the Print Spooler, then download the latest driver directly from the manufacturer's website and run the installer as an administrator.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
What does it mean if the “remove” button isn’t there when you open up the printer in settings?