'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Remove PDF Complete and Fix Word Printing Issues
Question details
The user wants to stop PDF Complete from intercepting document print jobs and resume printing natively to a physical hardware printer.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a Word document to a physical printer.
- Observed behavior
- PDF Complete launches and hijacks the print process instead of the document being sent to the physical printer, typically because its free license has expired.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows computer so you can successfully uninstall programs and manage printer settings.
Uninstall PDF Complete from Windows Settings
Completely remove the PDF Complete application and its associated virtual printer from your system to prevent it from hijacking print jobs.
Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings, then navigate to the 'Apps' or 'Apps & features' section.
Scroll down the list of installed applications, locate 'PDF Complete', click on it, and select 'Uninstall'.
Go back to the main Settings menu, select 'Devices' (or 'Bluetooth & devices'), then click 'Printers & scanners'. If PDF Complete is still listed as a printer, click it and select 'Remove device'.
Manually Select the Correct Physical Printer in Word
Change the active printer in the Word print menu to bypass any virtual PDF printers and send the job to your physical hardware.
Save as PDF Natively in Word
Use Word's built-in file saving features to generate a PDF document without relying on external virtual printer software.
Use WPS Office for Hassle-Free Printing and Native PDF Export
Avoid third-party software conflicts and expired add-on licenses by switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring built-in PDF conversion and straightforward printing controls that work seamlessly without external virtual printers.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite on your computer.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document without losing any formatting.
- 3. Print or Export Natively: Go to the Menu and select 'Export to PDF' to create a PDF directly, or choose 'Print' to send the file straight to your physical printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PDF Complete keep popping up when I try to print?
PDF Complete pops up because it has set itself as your system's default printer. When you issue a print command, it intercepts the job to create a PDF instead of routing it to your physical hardware. This is common when its free trial has expired and it prompts you for a license.
How do I change my default printer in Windows?
To change your default printer, navigate to Windows Settings > Devices (or Bluetooth & devices) > Printers & scanners. Click on your preferred physical printer and select 'Set as default'. In Windows 10, you may need to uncheck 'Let Windows manage my default printer' first.
Do I need PDF Complete to make PDFs in Word?
No, you do not need third-party virtual printers like PDF Complete. Modern word processors, including Microsoft Word and WPS Office, have built-in capabilities to save or export documents directly as PDFs via the 'Save As' or 'Export' menus.
Can I remove a virtual printer without uninstalling the main app?
Yes. You can remove just the printer by going to Windows Settings > Printers & scanners, selecting the virtual printer, and clicking 'Remove device'. However, some software may automatically reinstall its virtual printer during an update or system reboot, so fully uninstalling the app is often the permanent fix.
