How to remove a Printer Driver from the Windows Registry.

How to remove a Printer Driver from the Windows Registry.

 Try the method described in this article first before attempting this advanced option. 

Editing the Windows Registry to remove a printer driver is a task that should be approached with caution as it involves making changes to the operating system's core settings. It's recommended to create a backup of the Registry or create a System Restore point before proceeding. Deleting the wrong entries in the Registry can potentially cause system instability or other issues.

To delete a printer driver using the Registry, follow these steps:

1. Open Registry Editor:
2. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
4. Navigate to the Printer Entries.
5. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64\Drivers\Version-3

Note: Replace Windows x64 with Windows x86 if you are using a 32-bit operating system.

6. Find the Printer Driver Entry:
      example: Color Label 900

7. Browse through the list of printer drivers under the Drivers key.
8. Identify the specific printer driver entry you want to delete.
9. Delete the Printer Driver Entry.
10. Right-click on the printer driver entry you want to remove.
11. Select "Delete" from the context menu.
12. Remove Related Registry Entries (if needed)

You may also need to delete additional related entries, such as keys under Printers or Print as well as any subkeys or entries associated with the particular printer driver.

13. Restart the Print Spooler Service:
14. After deleting the printer driver entries, restart the Print Spooler service to ensure that the changes take effect. You can do this by:
15. Press Windows Key + R.
16. Type services.msc and press Enter.
17. In the Services window, find the "Print Spooler" service.
18. Right-click on it and select "Restart."
It's important to note that manually modifying the Registry can have serious consequences if done incorrectly. Deleting the wrong entries may affect system stability or cause other issues. It's recommended to proceed with caution and consider seeking assistance from a knowledgeable person or a professional technician if you're unsure about making changes in the Registry.

Article ID: 121523