How to Stop Microsoft 365 Apps from Changing the Default Printer
Question details
The user needs to prevent Microsoft 365 applications, such as Excel and Word, from automatically changing the default system printer.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Apps
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Printing documents from Office applications, particularly on terminal servers.
- Observed behavior
- Office applications appear to change the default printer automatically, even when the Windows option to manage the default printer is disabled.
Verify that the Windows setting 'Let Windows manage my default printer' is fully disabled in your system's Printers & Scanners settings before troubleshooting the Office applications.
Start Office in Safe Mode to Disable Add-ins
Running Office applications in Safe Mode helps determine if a third-party add-in or extension is causing the default printer to change.
Often, conflicting COM add-ins or startup components can alter system configurations when an Office app launches. Safe Mode bypasses these elements.
Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type 'winword /safe' to open Word or 'excel /safe' to open Excel, then press Enter or click OK.
Try printing a document. If the default printer does not change, an add-in is the likely cause. Go to File > Options > Add-ins to disable them one by one until you find the culprit.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
If Safe Mode does not resolve the behavior, a corrupted Office installation might be the root cause. An Online Repair replaces damaged application files.
Try WPS Office for Stable and Reliable Printing
If Microsoft 365 continues to override your system printer settings, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that respects your Windows system configurations without unexpected behavior.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the straightforward setup wizard to install the suite on your PC.
- 3. Open and Print Safely: Launch WPS Writer or Spreadsheets, open your documents, and print reliably using your actual Windows default printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Windows keep changing my default printer?
By default, Windows 10 and 11 have a feature called 'Let Windows manage my default printer' enabled, which automatically sets your default printer to the one you used most recently. You can turn this off in Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
Can terminal server configurations cause printer redirection issues?
Yes, on terminal servers, printer redirection settings deployed via Group Policy can override local settings, causing Office to select a different printer. Reviewing your Remote Desktop Services (RDS) policies can help resolve this.
Does WPS Office change the default Windows printer automatically?
No, WPS Office adheres to the default printer settings configured in your Windows operating system and will not change the active system printer without user permission.
