-->
This article provides a solution to an issue where printers installed using the same driver and port on Windows are grouped as one when viewed within Devices and Printers.
However, when I installed my printer, instead of the printer icon appearing in Devices and Printers I get a generic yellow Windows folder icon. The Fax icon is OK, just the printer icon is wrong. If I double click on the icon, I get a mostly blank page with a message near the top saying: 'Updated information is available about your device. I go to 'Devices and Printers,' highlight the only Icon for my Canon MX922 printer, click on 'Open' then click on 'Display Printer/Fax Properties.' This brings up a dialog box with a dropdown list of the printers. None of them are greyed out. I'd like to eliminate any duplicates from this dropdown list.
Devices and Printers, Control Panel, manage, configure, remove In Windows 10, you can also use search. Inside Cortana’s search box from the taskbar, type the word “devices” and then click or tap on the Devices and Printers search result. Devices and Printers, Control Panel, manage, configure, remove. While there are lots of websites that offer custom made icon sets, you might, however, prefer to use icons that are already found on your Windows 10 computer or device. In this article, we show you where the icons are stored in Windows 10. If you want to find all the default Windows 10 icon files, read on. Adding Control Panel icons. Users can add a Windows Control Panel icon by installing the software program or hardware device related to the icon. If doing this does not install an icon into the Windows Control Panel that is either listed in the below chart or has been present in the past, follow the steps below.
Original product version: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Original KB number: 2015694
Symptoms
Consider this scenario:
- A computer running a version of Windows listed in the Applies To section
- Install two or more printers using the same printer driver and installed with the same printer port (that is, LPT1)
- View the installed printers within Devices and Printers
In this scenario, when viewing the installed printers within Devices and Printers, you may notice that some of the printers are grouped together and are associated with the same printer icon.
Cause
It's an expected behavior.
Resolution
To work around this issue, you can use the following steps to create a Printers desktop icon that will list the installed printers separately:
Open the Registry Editor (Select the Start button > type REGEDIT.EXE without the quotes and press the enter key) When prompted with User Account Control select Yes.
Expand to and selected the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerDesktopNameSpaceRight-click on the NameSpace registry key and choose New Key, enter the following GUID for the new registry key name (be sure to include the brackets)
{2227a280-3aea-1069-a2de-08002b30309d}In the right pane, right-click the registry value (Default) and choose Modify, for the Value data enter Printers without the quotes
Close Registry Editor
Right-click on the Desktop and select Refresh
Note
After selecting refresh of the desktop, a new desktop icon called Printers will appear. Double-clicking on the new Printers icon you will be able to see the installed printers separately. You can also Add, Remove, View, or Manage the print queues, change printer settings, and choose printer preferences from within this new Printers Desktop icon.
More information
There are several factors that contribute to the printer grouping, and the type of device as with the more common Multi-Function Printers. The way that printers are grouped or not depends on the following factors:
- Same driver.
- Same Port.
- Same HardwareID.
Typically it's identified that if the devices use the same HardwareID means same hardware printers, drivers may be different, PS, PCL, and so on. The determining factor is the port and the HardwareID.
For more information on Windows 7 Device Experience, see Windows 7 device experience.
If you find the Printer Icon is missing from Desktop or not showing in Devices and Printers screen, you will find below the steps to fix the problem of Printer Icon Not Showing in Windows 10.
Printer Icon Not Showing in Windows 10
The issue of Printer Icon missing from the Desktop and not showing up on Devices and Printers screen has been reported by users.
This problem is usually reported after upgrading the computer to Windows 10 from a previous version and also after installing a Windows 10 update.
While the problem of Printer Icon Missing from Desktop can be fixed by creating a New Shortcut, the issue of Printer Icon Not Showing in Devices and Printers screen will require more troubleshooting.
1. Fix Printer Icon Missing From Desktop
If the Printer Icon is missing from Desktop, you can easily create a New Shortcut to the printer.
1. Open Control Panel > click on View Devices and Printers link.
2. On the next screen, right-click on the Printer and select Create Shortcut option.
Note: If Printer Icon is Not Showing on this screen, follow other methods (2 to 5) as provided below.
3. On the pop-up, click on the Yes button to create a Desktop Shortcut.
The Printer Icon should now be visible on the Desktop of your computer.
2. Run Printer Troubleshooter
If the Printer Icon is not showing in Devices & Printers screen, try the Printer Troubleshooter.
1. Go to Settings > Update & Security.
Find Printer Icon Windows 10
2. On the next screen, select Troubleshoot in the left-pane. In the right-pane, scroll down and click on Printer > Run the Troubleshooter.
3. Allow Windows to find and fix the problems with the printer on your computer.
2. Update Printer Drivers
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manager.
2. On Device Manager screen, expand Printers entry > right-click on your Printer and click on Update Driver option.
Restart your computer and see if the Printer Icon is now visible.
4. Enable Bluetooth Support Service
The problem can also be caused due to Bluetooth Support service being disabled on your computer.
1. Right-click on Start button and click on Run.
2. In the Run Command window, type Services.msc and click on OK.
3. On the next screen, right-click on Bluetooth Support Service and click on Start.
Restart your computer and check the Devices & Printers screen.
4. Enable Device Install Service
In many cases, the problem is usually due to Device Install Service or other Device associated services being disabled.
1. Right-click on Start button and click on Run.
2. In the Run Command window, type Services.msc and click on OK. Hp laserjet 1018 basic driver download.
3. On the next screen, double-click on Device Install Service (if it is disabled).
4. On the pop-up, change the Startup Type to Manual > click on Apply & OK.
Next, make sure that the following Device related Services have Windows Default startup type.
- Device Association Service – Manual (Trigger Start)
- Device Management Enrollment Service – Manual
- Device Setup Manager – Manual (Trigger Start)
- DevQuery Background Discovery Broker – Manual (Trigger Start).
Open Printer Control Panel
5. Edit Registry
If above methods did not help, creating a New Registry Key for the Printer in Desktop and Control Panel Folders might help in fixing the problem.
Note: It is highly recommended that you Backup the Registry or create a System Restore Point before going ahead with this step.
1. Open the Registry Editor on your computer and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerDesktopNameSpace
2. Right click on NameSpace > select New > Key.
3. Name the New Key as: {2227a280-3aea-1069-a2de-08002b30309d}, which is the CLSID for the Printers Folder.
4. Select the New Key in the left pane. In the right pane, edit the value of Default key to Printers.
Update Printer Icon Windows 10
Close the Registry Editor and Restart your computer.