How in the Tech

Setting different default printers depending on network in Windows 7

By Adam Myers ⋅ August 21, 2009 ⋅ Tags: Networking, Windows 7

If you keep up on all the latest technology news you are likely aware that Microsoft’s next iteration of Windows is coming in October, Windows 7. Those same journalists will also inform you that Windows 7 is nothing more than a refinement of the release Microsoft would quickly like us all to forget, Vista. In other words, Windows 7 is what Vista should have been. Are these pundits correct in their labeling? In my opinion yes, and that’s a great thing to me. Windows 7 may be the best version of Windows yet, but only time will tell.

So what type of refinements does Windows 7 bring over Vista? The spit and polish Vista has received to morph into 7 isn’t immediately apparent but rather reveals itself through increased usage of the new operating system. If you are a tech enthusiast you are likely to discover the subtleties of the release all over the place. Today I discovered one myself that I felt was worth sharing.

If you are a laptop user who frequents multiple networks, perhaps your office and your home, you’ve likely come across a few annoyances relating to your traveling situation. One of which is your default printer. While in the office, your default printer is just at the other end of the hall but what about when you are at home, on that same laptop? Sure you likely have your home printer installed and configured, but it requires explicit selection for each print job. That was then, this is now. Windows 7 affords you the ability to define default printers for each network you may work off of.

1. Launch the Devices and Printers dialog from off the Start Menu in Windows 7.
2. Single click one of your installed printers and then click the Manage default printers button from the left side panel.
3. Using the dialog shown below you are able to match up your existing installed printers with networks your laptop has previously connected to.

That is an example of attention to detail and is one reason Windows 7 is a winner.