Putting a printer shortcut on your Windows 11 desktop can save you heaps of time if you print a lot, but surprisingly, it’s not as easy as you might think. Sometimes the usual methods are clunky or just don’t show up properly. If you want quicker access to your printer’s settings, queue, or just want to dodge digging through the Control Panel every time, this guide’s got your back. It’s not perfect — sometimes shortcuts don’t stick, or you get weird permission prompts — but with these tips, you’ll probably save a bit of hassle and frustration.
How to Fix or Create a Printer Shortcut on Your Desktop in Windows 11
Method 1: Manual Setup Using the ‘Devices and Printers’ Folder
This is a bit old-school, but it works reliably if your printer shows up properly. Basically, you’re telling Windows exactly where to put the shortcut, instead of relying on the “Create shortcut” option which sometimes glitches.
- First up, head over to Control Panel. To find it quick as a flash, type “Control Panel” into the search bar on the taskbar, hit enter — but fair warning, sometimes it doesn’t show immediately. If it’s playing hard to get, check under %windir%\System32\control.exe or right-click the Start button and choose Run, then type `control`. Easy enough.
- Next, go to Devices and Printers. You’ll find it under Hardware and Sound if your Control Panel view is set to Category, or just search for “Devices and Printers” if you’re in icon view.
- Look for your printer in the list. Sometimes it’s not obvious, especially if you’ve got a few printers, so double-check the name.
- Right-click on your printer, then select Create shortcut. A little notification might pop up saying “Windows can’t create a shortcut here — do you want to put it on the desktop instead?” — that’s your cue, it worked.
- If the shortcut doesn’t pop up right away, head to your desktop and see if it’s there. If not, try dragging the icon straight onto the desktop or right-click and pick Send to → Desktop (create shortcut). Sometimes that extra step does the trick.
If creating the shortcut directly doesn’t work because of permissions or missing options, no worries — you can also make a custom shortcut that takes you straight to your printer’s queue.
Method 2: Create a Custom Shortcut to Your Printer’s Queue
This is a bit of a workaround, but it does the job if you want quick access to a specific printer’s queue or settings. You make a shortcut that opens the printer’s page directly via a command.
- Right-click anywhere on your desktop, then choose New → Shortcut.
- In the location box, paste this command:
explorer shell:PrinterPorts. This opens your printer list, but it can be a bit cluttered, so if you want a shortcut to open just the print settings, try this instead: - Use the command:
control printers. This opens the Devices and Printers window directly, saving a few clicks. - Name the shortcut something like “Printer Settings,” then hit Finish.
- Right-click the new shortcut and select Rename to give it a label that makes sense for your setup, like your printer’s name.
Alternatively, if you want quicker access, you can create a shortcut that opens just your printer’s properties using this command:
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /p /n "Your Printer Name"This should take you straight to the printer’s settings, saving a few steps. Just swap out “Your Printer Name” with the exact name from your list, including quotes if there are spaces. Sometimes this can be a bit finicky — it might not work first go, or Windows might not recognize the DLL — but on some setups, it’s a real time-saver.
Tips to Keep Your Shortcuts Reliable
- Make sure your printer is set up and connected properly before creating shortcuts. If Windows doesn’t see it, the shortcuts won’t work anyway.
- Label your shortcuts clearly so you know which is which — avoids guessing later on.
- If shortcuts go missing or break after updates, delete and recreate them after your drivers update.
- Think about pinning the printer or its queue to the Start menu or Taskbar for even quicker access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find Devices and Printers in Control Panel anymore?
If it’s missing or hidden, you might be in the new Settings app. Try searching for “Printers & Scanners” in Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners. Sometimes, the classic panel isn’t showing everything, but that shouldn’t hold you back.
What if my printer isn’t listed in Devices and Printers?
Check your connections — USB cables, network, or Wi-Fi depending on how you connect. Also, verify your drivers are up to date. Windows can get confused if you’ve got multiple printer drivers or old software hanging around.
Can I create shortcuts for multiple printers at once?
Absolutely. Just do the process for each printer. For batch setups, scripting with PowerShell or batch files does the trick, but that’s a whole other ball game.
Is it possible to edit or delete these shortcuts later?
Yep. Just right-click and choose Delete. To update, right-click, pick Rename, or go into the shortcut properties to change the target.
Quick Summary
- Find your printer in Control Panel or ‘Devices and Printers.’
- Create shortcuts directly or with custom commands.
- Label them clearly so you know which is which.
- If they go missing, check your connections and drivers.
Final Word
All in all, setting up a printer shortcut isn’t always a walk in the park, but it’s worth the effort once it’s done. It makes printing way less of a hassle. Just find your printer in Windows’ maze of settings and craft a shortcut that sticks. Sometimes it takes a few goes or tweaks, especially with different printer models and Windows updates. But if it saves you from having to stuff around, it’s a good win, mate.