How to Create a Printer Shortcut on Your Windows 11 Desktop: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Add a Printer Shortcut to Your Windows 11 Desktop
Setting up a desktop shortcut for your printer in Windows 11 can save you a lot of hassle if you print regularly. Honestly, navigating through menus every single time gets tedious. With a shortcut, you’re just a double-click away from accessing your printer’s settings or hitting that print button. It’s a small tweak, but it really cuts down on repetitive clicking. Here’s how to do it.
First Things First: Open the Control Panel
Start by opening the Control Panel — it’s like the command centre for managing devices on Windows. You can find it by clicking the Start menu and searching for “Control Panel,” or just type it into the search bar. If you prefer the newer layout, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.
Pro tip: Press Windows + I to open Settings quickly, then navigate to Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners if you’re feeling Streamlined.
Locating Your Printer
Once you’re in the Control Panel, look for Devices and Printers. That’s where all your connected devices hang out — including printers. Hopefully, you recognise the icon! If you’ve got a few devices plugged in, double-check you’re selecting the right one. Creating a shortcut for the wrong device can cause some confusion.
Alternatively, you can head straight to the modern settings as mentioned above — Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.
Creating the Shortcut
When you find your printer, right-click on it and select Create shortcut. You might get a warning that Windows can’t create the shortcut in the desired location, but it’ll ask if you want to put it on the desktop instead. Click Yes, and your shortcut will appear on the desktop — easy as!
Feeling a bit adventurous? You can also create this shortcut manually via the command line. Just get your printer’s network address or name, right-click on the desktop, choose New > Shortcut, then enter something like \\YOUR-PC\YourPrinterName.
Using Your New Shortcut
With the shortcut on your desktop, just double-click it to jump straight into your printer’s settings or to start printing. No more endless clicks through menus — check ink levels or send documents to print faster than ever. It’s a real time-saver, especially if you’re often printing multiple documents.
Extra tip: You can also pin the printer to Quick Access in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers or assign a custom keyboard shortcut if you want to get even snappier.
Tips to Keep Things Organised
- Ensure your printer drivers are up to date and the device is properly connected before setting up the shortcut — saves hassle later on.
- If you have multiple printers, rename each shortcut clearly. Right-click the shortcut and select Rename. Trust me, it makes life easier.
- Keep your printer’s software current. Regular updates can prevent issues with recognition or functionality.
- Use the shortcut to monitor ink levels or run maintenance tasks without wading through menus. Right-click and go to Properties for more options.
- If desktop clutter’s a concern, organise your shortcuts into folders or pin favourites to the taskbar for quick access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want to delete the shortcut?
Just right-click the shortcut and select Delete. This won’t remove the printer itself — it’s just tidying up your desktop.
Can I create shortcuts for multiple printers?
Absolutely. Just repeat the process for each printer, making sure to select the correct one each time.
What if the printer isn’t showing up?
If your printer doesn’t appear in Devices and Printers, check that it’s plugged in, powered on, and properly connected to your network. Sometimes a quick turn-off and turn-on can fix it. For network printers, ensure it’s connected to your Wi-Fi. Running the troubleshooter can help — head to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Printer, or run this command:
msdt.exe /id PrinterDiagnosticIf issues persist, reinstall the printer driver via Device Manager (right-click the Start button or press Windows + X) to clear up recognition issues.
Shortcut vs. Quick Access — What’s the difference?
A desktop shortcut takes you directly to your printer’s settings, while some printers come with their own quick access features for common tasks like printing or scanning. Both speed things up, but check your printer’s software for any extra customisable options.
Can I change the icon of the shortcut?
Windows doesn’t make it easy to change icons, but you can right-click the shortcut, select Properties > Shortcut > Change Icon, and pick from available options or browse for your own images to make it stand out.
For more advanced customisation, consider third-party tools like IconChanger or Resource Hacker to really personalise your shortcuts.
Final thoughts
Creating a printer shortcut on your Windows 11 desktop isn’t just a neat trick — it makes your printing tasks quicker and easier. This small change reduces unnecessary navigation, helping you get your print job done faster. Once set up, it’s a handy little shortcut that pays dividends in efficiency. No more fumbling through menus — just a click, and you’re away.
Ultimately, making these simple tweaks can streamline your workflow, especially if you print often. Keep your drivers up-to-date, stay organised, and don’t be afraid to customise further — you might discover even more handy shortcuts along the way. Here’s hoping it saves you some time down the track!