Remove or Uninstall a Print Driver (Printer) From a Microsoft Windows 7 OS

CAUTION: All pending print jobs in the printer’s print queue need to be canceled before the print queue is removed; otherwise, the computer will need to be restarted so that the print queue is visible again and the print jobs can be deleted.

NOTE: If the printer is connected to the computer using a USB cable, unplug the USB cable from the printer only.  Leave the other end of the cable plugged into the computer.

To delete any existing print jobs in the printer’s printqueue:

1. Open the Control Panel. (Click on the [Start] button, and then click on [Control Panel].)

2. Depending on the "View By" option, perform one of the following options:

   • Click on [View Devices and Printers] under the Hardware and Sound category.

   • Double-click on [Devices and Printers] (if viewing by icons).

3. Double-click on the printer icon to open the print queue window so see what's printing.

4. In the print queue window, click on the [Printer] menu, and then click on [Cancel All Documents]. An "Are you sure you want to cancel all documents" message will be displayed.

5. Click on [Yes].

To remove only one print queue out of many that havebeen grouped together:

1. Open the Control Panel. (Click on the [Start] button, and then click on [Control Panel].)

2. Depending on the "View By" option, perform one of the following options:

   • Click on [View Devices and Printers] under the Hardware and Sound category.

   • Double-click on [Devices and Printers] (if viewing by icons).

3. Right-click on the printer icon or icon group, select [Delete print queue], and then click on the print queue that needs to be removed.
   
   
   
   

4. A pop-up window with an "Are you sure you want to delete the printer?" will be displayed. Click on [Yes] to delete the print queue.

5. Restart the computer.

To remove the print queue or all print queues groupedtogether:

1. Open the Control Panel. (Click on the [Start] button, and then click on [Control Panel].)

2. Depending on the "View By" option, perform one of the following options:

   • Click on [View Devices and Printers] under the Hardware and Sound category.

   • Double-click on [Devices and Printers] (if viewing by icons).

3. Right-click on the printer, and then select [Remove Device].
   
   
   
   

4. A pop-up window with an "Are you sure you want to remove this device?" message will be displayed. Click on [Yes] to delete the printer or printer group.

5. Restart the computer.

NOTE: For instructions on how to re-install the print driver, see the Related Content.

Related Content

• Install the Print Driver (Add a Printer) on a Microsoft Windows 7 OS for Ethernet (TCP/IP) Connections