Quick Guide: Create Printer Shortcut on Windows 10 Desktop

Having quick access to your printer can save you a lot of time and hassle. This guide will show you how to create various printer shortcuts on your Windows 10 desktop, making it easier to manage your printing tasks.

How Can I Create a Printer Shortcut from Control Panel?​

1. Open Control Panel​

• Click on the Start button.
• Type "Control Panel" in the search bar and press Enter.
• Click on the Control Panel application.

2. Navigate to Devices and Printers​

• Under "Hardware and Sound," choose "Devices and printers."
  

3. Create Shortcut​

• Right-click on your printer.
• Select "Create shortcut."
  
• A prompt will ask to create a desktop shortcut, select "Yes."

4. Rename the Shortcut (Optional)​

• Right-click the new printer shortcut on your desktop.
• Select "Rename."
• Enter your desired name and press Enter or click away.

Having a shortcut directly on your desktop allows quick access to your printer's settings and print queue, making it easier to manage your print jobs without navigating through multiple menus.

How Can I Add Printer Shortcut to the Taskbar?​

1. Right-Click Printer Shortcut​

• Right-click the printer shortcut you created.

2. Pin to Taskbar​

• Select "Pin to taskbar" from the context menu.

This method allows quick access to your printer directly from the taskbar, streamlining your workflow and saving you time.

How to Move Printer Shortcut to a Different Folder?​

1. Open File Explorer​

• Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.

2. Navigate to Desired Folder​

• Browse to the folder where you want to place your printer shortcut.

3. Move Printer Shortcut​

• Click and drag the printer shortcut from the desktop to the desired folder.
• Alternatively, you can copy and paste the shortcut:
  • Click once on the printer shortcut to select it.
  • Press Ctrl + C to copy.
  • Go to the desired folder in File Explorer.
  • Press Ctrl + V to paste.

This method keeps your desktop clutter-free while still providing easy access to your printer settings from another location.

How to Create a Shortcut for Adding a New Printer?​

1. Right-Click Desktop​

• Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
• Select "New," then click "Shortcut."

2. Enter Shortcut Location​

• In the location field, type: control.exe /name Microsoft.DevicesAndPrinters /page PrinterAddPrinter
• Click "Next."

3. Name the Shortcut​

• Enter a name for the shortcut (e.g., "Add Printer").
• Click "Finish."

This shortcut directly opens the "Add a printer" wizard, bypassing the initial search for known printers, making the process quicker and less cumbersome.

How Can I Create a Printers Folder Shortcut?​

1. Right-Click Desktop​

• Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
• Select "New," then click "Shortcut."

2. Enter One of the Following Commands​

• Type one of these paths:
  • explorer shellrintersFolder
  • explorer shell:::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
  • explorer shell:::{863aa9fd-42df-457b-8e4d-0de1b8015c60}
  • rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL PrintersFolder
• Click "Next."

3. Name the Shortcut​

• Give the shortcut a name (e.g., "Printers Folder").
• Click "Finish."

4. Change Shortcut Icon (Optional)​

• Right-click the new shortcut.
• Select "Properties," then click "Change Icon."
• Choose an icon from the available options or browse to select another file.

Creating this shortcut allows you to have a consolidated view of all printers in one place. You can quickly access printer settings, manage print queues, and perform other printer-related tasks efficiently.

How to Use Command Prompt for Advanced Printer Shortcut?​

1. Right-Click Desktop​

• Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
• Select "New," then click "Shortcut."

2. Enter Command​

• Type: rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /il
• Click "Next."

3. Name the Shortcut​

• Enter a name for the shortcut (e.g., "Add Printer Wizard").
• Click "Finish."

This command opens the "Add Printer Wizard" directly, making it quicker to add new printers without waiting for the system to search for existing ones.

By following these detailed steps, you can streamline printer-related tasks, making your workflow more efficient and less frustrating.