Renaming your printer in Windows 11 isn’t exactly a tough nut to crack, but it’s one of those things you might overlook easily. If you’ve got a few printers floating around, or just want to give your home office printer a friendlier name, doing this can save you some hassle later on. The steps are pretty straight-up, but here’s the catch — Windows likes to hide these settings in a few spots, and sometimes the menu labels aren’t exactly obvious.
How to Rename Your Printer in Windows 11
When you’re looking to rename a printer, it’s probably because the current name just doesn’t cut it — maybe it’s a bit too generic or you’ve got a few printers with similar names. Renaming them keeps things clear, especially if you print from multiple devices or have different jobs. It’s a pretty quick process that’ll give your printer a new identity in just a few clicks.
Method 1: Using the Settings Menu
First up, hit the Windows key and start typing “Settings,” then press Enter. This opens the Settings app. Yep, the same place where you tweak Wi-Fi or sound. Because of course, Windows has to make it a bit tricky sometimes.
Once you’re in, head over to Devices. This is where all the hardware magic happens — printers, Bluetooth devices, you name it. Scroll down or use the side menu, then click on Printers & Scanners.
Method 2: Managing Your Printer
Now, you’ll see a list of printers. Find the one you want to rename, click on it, and then select Manage. Here’s where it gets a tad fiddly — click on Printer Properties. It opens a window that looks a bit old-school, but it’s the real deal.
Under the General tab, you’ll see the current printer name — probably something like “HP LaserJet 12345” or whatever default it had. Just type in the new name you want in the text box, then hit OK.
This change is instant — no need to restart or refresh anything. Just keep in mind, if you’re on a network, other computers might still see the old name until they refresh or restart their print spooler.
Extra Tip: Using Command Line
If you’re into tech or want to make this faster with a script, you can do it via PowerShell or Command Prompt. It’s a bit more involved, but for example, you could run a command like Set-Printer -Name "OldName" -NewName "NewName". Sometimes Windows’ printer management doesn’t sync perfectly if you’re scripting or doing it remotely, so it’s worth a go if the GUI isn’t playing ball.
When’s a Good Time to Do This?
If your printer’s default name is something dull like “Printer1” or “CanonModelXYZ,” and you’ve got a few, it’s easy to grab the wrong one. Renaming it to “Garage Printer” or “Main Office HP” makes life a lot easier when you need to pick the right device quick smart. Plus, if you’re sharing the setup with others, keeping labels consistent helps too.
Tips for Renaming Your Printer in Windows 11
- Think about where it is or what it’s for — “Living Room Printer,” “DevLab Colour,” whatever makes sense.
- Keep the names short but clear enough to recognise at a glance.
- If you’ve got multiple identical printers, pop a suffix or number on the end to tell them apart.
- Don’t forget — after renaming, other users (if on a network) might need to refresh their device list.
- A quick restart or logging out/in often helps everything stay in sync after the change.
FAQ
Can I rename a network printer for everyone on the network?
Not really. Renaming it on your PC only changes how it appears on your end. If others are connected, they’ll still see the same old name unless they do the same trick.
Will changing the name break anything?
Nah, it’s just cosmetic. The printer’s actual function stays put. It just makes it easier to pick the right one.
What if I can’t find my printer in the list?
Make sure it’s turned on, properly connected, and showing in Windows. Sometimes a quick troubleshoot, or disconnecting and reconnecting, especially with wireless setups, does the trick.
Can I change it back later?
Absolutely. Just follow the same steps and swap the name. Easy as.
Will this work with wireless printers?
Yep, whether wired or wireless, if the printer shows up in Windows, you can rename it using these steps. Wireless models might be a bit more finicky due to network delays, but it works.
Quick Wrap-Up
- Open Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners
- Find your printer, hit Manage
- Go to Printer Properties and chuck in the new name
Hopefully this saves someone a bit of time. Because at the end of the day, tidying up device names is a small thing that can make a big difference, especially if you’ve got heaps of printers or share your setup with others. Just remember, Windows can chuck a wobbly sometimes, so if it doesn’t work straight away, a quick reboot or relogin often sorts it out.