How to Rename Printer in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of seeing confusing or duplicate printer names on your Windows 11 device? Maybe your printer shows up as “HP1234XYZ_01,” and you’d prefer something easier like “Office Printer” or “Home HP LaserJet.” You’re not alone!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to rename a printer in Windows 11 — step by step. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned Windows user, this comprehensive guide will show you multiple methods to rename your printer easily and effectively.

---

🧭 Quick Summary

Key takeaway: You can rename your printer in Windows 11 using Settings, Control Panel, Devices and Printers, PowerShell, or CMD. The Settings method is the easiest for most users.

---

What Does Renaming a Printer Mean?

Renaming a printer simply means changing its display name in Windows 11. This doesn’t affect the printer’s functionality or driver — it only changes how it appears in your list of devices.

For example, instead of seeing “HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28-M31,” you can rename it to “Office Printer” or “Main LaserJet” to make it easier to identify, especially when you have multiple printers installed.

---

Why You Might Want to Rename a Printer

You might be wondering — why bother renaming a printer at all? Here are some common reasons:

• 🏷️ Easier identification: Helps you quickly find the right printer when you have several connected.

• 🖨️ Avoid confusion: Especially useful in offices where multiple printers have similar models.

• 🧩 Network management: Simplifies printer sharing across devices.

• 💡 Personal preference: Give it a custom, friendly name like “Living Room Printer” or “Invoice Printer.”

---

Before You Start: Prerequisites

Before renaming your printer, make sure:

1. You’re logged in as an administrator (or have admin privileges).

2. The printer is connected and installed properly.

3. There are no pending print jobs, as renaming may cause temporary issues if printing is active.

---

Method 1: How to Rename a Printer Using Settings (Easiest Way)

This is the most straightforward method in Windows 11.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Settings
   Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

2. Go to Bluetooth & Devices
   From the left-hand sidebar, select Bluetooth & Devices.

3. Select Printers & Scanners
   Click on Printers & Scanners to view a list of all connected printers.

4. Choose the Printer You Want to Rename
   Find the printer you want to rename and click on it.

5. Click Printer Properties
   Scroll down and select Printer properties (under Related Settings).

6. Rename the Printer
   In the General tab, you’ll see the current printer name.
   Replace it with your new name (e.g., “Office HP LaserJet”).

7. Apply and Save Changes
   Click Apply, then OK.

That’s it! Your printer’s name will now be updated across Windows.

---

Method 2: Rename Printer via Control Panel

Although the Control Panel is slowly being replaced by the Settings app, it’s still available and offers another reliable way to rename your printer.

Steps:

1. Open Control Panel
   Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter.

2. Go to Hardware and Sound → Devices and Printers
   Select Devices and Printers under Hardware and Sound.

3. Find and Right-Click Your Printer
   Locate the printer you wish to rename, right-click it, and select Printer properties.

4. Rename It
   Under the General tab, edit the printer’s name field.

5. Click Apply → OK
   Once done, save your changes.

✅ Pro Tip: This method is especially useful for users upgrading from Windows 7, 8, or 10 — the interface is familiar.

---

Method 3: Rename Printer from Devices and Printers Window

If you like the old-school Windows layout, this method will feel familiar.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R and type:

   control printers


   Hit Enter.

2. Right-click the printer you want to rename.

3. Select Printer properties.

4. In the General tab, rename your printer.

5. Click Apply → OK.

---

Method 4: Rename Printer Using PowerShell

For power users and IT admins, PowerShell provides a quick command-line way to rename printers — perfect for automation or managing multiple devices.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

   • Press Windows + X, select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).

2. List All Installed Printers
   Run:

   Get-Printer


   This shows all printers installed on your system.

3. Rename the Printer
   Use:

   Rename-Printer -Name "Old Printer Name" -NewName "New Printer Name"


   Example:

   Rename-Printer -Name "HP LaserJet 1200" -NewName "Office Printer"


4. Verify the Change
   Run Get-Printer again to confirm the rename.

✅ Tip: You can rename multiple printers at once using a PowerShell script — ideal for IT environments.

---

Method 5: Rename Printer Using Command Prompt (CMD)

If you’re more comfortable with Command Prompt, this method also works well.

Steps:

1. Open CMD as Administrator

   • Search “cmd” in the Start menu.

   • Right-click and choose Run as administrator.

2. List All Printers

   wmic printer get name


3. Rename the Printer

   wmic printer where name="Old Printer Name" call rename "New Printer Name"


   Example:

   wmic printer where name="HP LaserJet 1200" call rename "Office Printer"


4. Verify the Change

   wmic printer get name


---

Alternative Method: Rename Printer via Registry Editor (Advanced)

⚠️ Caution: This method is for advanced users only. Incorrectly editing the Registry can cause system issues. Always create a backup first.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers


3. Find the folder corresponding to your printer.

4. Double-click Name or PrinterName and change it to your desired name.

5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

---

What If You Can’t Rename Your Printer? (Troubleshooting)

Sometimes Windows won’t let you rename a printer due to permission or system conflicts. Here’s what to do:

1. Check Administrative Privileges

Ensure you’re logged in as an administrator.

2. Remove and Reinstall the Printer

Go to Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners, remove the printer, and add it again.

3. Restart the Print Spooler Service

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Find Print Spooler, right-click, and choose Restart.

4. Update Printer Drivers

Outdated drivers may prevent renaming. Visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the latest version.

5. Check Group Policy (for Office Networks)

If you’re on a company network, IT administrators might restrict renaming. Contact your system admin.

---

Best Practices When Naming Printers

To keep things simple and organized, follow these naming tips:

✅ Use underscores (_) or hyphens (-) instead of spaces for clarity.
✅ Avoid special characters like @, #, $, or %.

---

Benefits of Renaming Your Printer

Renaming your printer might seem minor, but it offers several practical benefits:

• Simplifies multi-printer management

• Improves print job tracking

• Prevents printing to the wrong device

• Enhances productivity in office networks

• Makes troubleshooting easier

---

When to Rename Your Printer

You should rename your printer if:

• You’ve installed multiple printers with confusing names.

• You moved your printer to a new location.

• You share printers across a network.

• You replaced or updated printer drivers.

• You’re reorganizing office devices.

---

How to Verify Your Printer’s New Name

After renaming, verify it to ensure changes took effect:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners.

2. Check your printer list.

3. Confirm the new name appears correctly.

4. Try printing a test page to ensure everything works as expected.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Renaming while printing jobs are active.

• ❌ Using restricted characters.

• ❌ Forgetting to apply or save changes.

• ❌ Not having administrative rights.

• ❌ Renaming from multiple devices simultaneously (on a network).

---

Conclusion: Simplify Your Printing with a Clear Printer Name

Renaming your printer in Windows 11 is a simple yet effective way to stay organized and avoid confusion. Whether you use the Settings app, Control Panel, PowerShell, or Command Prompt, you now have multiple ways to customize how your printer appears.

A clear, descriptive printer name helps you save time, print to the right device, and maintain a tidy workflow — especially in shared environments.

---

Key Takeaways

• 🖨️ You can rename a printer in Windows 11 using Settings, Control Panel, CMD, PowerShell, or Registry Editor.

• 🧑‍💻 Use Settings if you want the easiest method.

• ⚙️ Always ensure you have administrator privileges.

• 🧾 Choose a clear and descriptive name for easy identification.

---

FAQs About Renaming Printers in Windows 11

1. Can I rename a network printer in Windows 11?

Yes, but only if you have permission. If it’s managed by your IT department, you may need admin rights.

2. Will renaming a printer affect my print jobs or driver?

No, renaming does not affect the printer’s functionality, driver, or existing print queue.

3. Why can’t I rename my printer?

You might lack administrative privileges or the printer is in use. Stop the print spooler or restart your PC and try again.

4. How do I rename a shared printer for all users?

Rename it from the host computer (the one it’s shared from). The new name will appear for all connected users.

5. Can I rename a printer remotely?

Yes, using PowerShell Remote or network management tools, you can rename printers on other devices — provided you have the necessary permissions.

---

✅ Final Thought:
A well-named printer makes your digital workspace cleaner, faster, and easier to manage. Spend a minute renaming your printer today — your future self (and your coworkers) will thank you!