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Application for Printing from a Computer (Windows Printer Driver)

The printer driver controls the printer according to the commands from an application. Making settings on the printer driver provides the best printing results. You can also check the status of the printer or keep it in top operating condition using the printer driver utility.

Note:

You can change the language of the printer driver. Select the language you want to use from the Language setting on the Maintenance tab.

Accessing the printer driver from applications

To make settings that apply only to the application you are using, access from that application.

Select Print or Print Setup from the File menu. Select your printer, and then click Preferences or Properties.

Note:

Operations differ depending on the application. See the application's help for details.

Accessing the printer driver from the control panel

To make settings that apply to all of the applications, access from the control panel.

  • Windows 11

    Click on the start button, and then select All apps > Windows Tools > Control Panel > View devices and printers in Hardware and Sound. Right-click on your printer, or press and hold it and then select Printing preferences.

  • Windows 10

    Click on the start button, and then select Windows System > Control Panel > View devices and printers in Hardware and Sound. Right-click on your printer, or press and hold it and then select Printing preferences.

  • Windows 8.1/Windows 8

    Select Desktop > Settings > Control Panel > View devices and printers in Hardware and Sound. Right-click on your printer, or press and hold it and then select Printing preferences.

  • Windows 7

    Click the start button, and select Control Panel > View devices and printers in Hardware and Sound. Right-click on your printer and select Printing preferences.

  • Windows Vista

    Click the start button, and select Control Panel > Printers in Hardware and Sound. Right-click on your printer and select Printing preferences.

  • Windows XP

    Click the start button, and select Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware > Printers and Faxes. Right-click on your printer and select Printing preferences.

Accessing the printer driver from the printer icon on the task bar

The printer icon on the desktop task bar is a shortcut icon allowing you to quickly access the printer driver.

If you click the printer icon and select Printer Settings, you can access the same printer settings window as the one displayed from the control panel. If you double-click this icon, you can check the status of the printer.

Note:

If the printer icon is not displayed on the task bar, access the printer driver window, click Monitoring Preferences on the Maintenance tab, and then select Register the shortcut icon to the taskbar.

Starting the utility

Access the printer driver window. Click the Maintenance tab.