Backup and Restore Printers in Windows 10

In Windows 10, it is possible to backup and restore your printers, including their queues, configured ports, and drivers. The operating system includes a special wizard which allows exporting and importing of printers to special file.

Windows 10 comes with the Printer Migration app which allows the user to export and import the installed printers. The app can be opened using its executable file, PrintBrmUi.exe. Here is how to use it.

Before proceeding, please keep in mind the following. If you are running a 32-bit Windows 10 version, you will only be able to import your exported printers to a 32-bit Windows 10 PC. The same is for 64-bit Windows 10 version. You won't be able to restore your 32-bit backup file to a 64-bit Windows 10 and vice versa.

To backup printers in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Press the Win + R keys on the keyboard and type PrintBrmUi.exe into the Run box.
2. In the Printer Migration dialog, select the option Export printer queues and printer drivers to a file.
3. On the next page, select This print server and click on the Next button.
4. On the next page, review the changes, and click on the Next button.
5. Now, specify the file location where you want to save the exported file to.
6. Click on the Next button. Your printers is now exported.

You are done. The Printer Management can also be used to restore your printers.

To restore printers in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Press the Win + R keys on the keyboard and type PrintBrmUi.exe into the Run box.
2. In the Printer Migration dialog, select the option Import printer queues and printer drivers from a file.
3. Browse for your backup file and select it. Then, click on the Next button.
4. Review the list of items to be imported and click on the Next button.
5. On the next page, select This print server to import printers to the current PC.
6. On the next page, you will get the options Keep existing printers and Overwrite existing printers. By choosing the second option, you will replace the installed printers that exist on your PC with printers from the backup file. If your backup file contains a printer that is already installed, it will replaced by the printer from the file. 

You are done.

Alternatively, you can use the Printer Management MMC span-in to backup and restore your printer data.

Printer Management MMC span-in

This span-in offers extended options to manage your local and network printers. It can be used to export and import your printer data.

1. Press the Win + R keys on the keyboard and type printmanagement.msc into the Run box.
2. On the left side of Printer Management, select Printer Servers and expand it to the local print server item.
3. Right-click on that item and select the commands Import printers from a file and Export printers to a file from the context menu. 
4. This will launch the Printer Migration wizard.

That's it.

Related articles:

• Open Printer Queue With a Shortcut in Windows 10
• Set Default Printer in Windows 10
• How to stop Windows 10 from changing the default printer
• Open Printer Queue in Windows 10
• Create Printers Folder Shortcut in Windows 10
• Clear Stuck Jobs from Printer Queue in Windows 10
• Create Devices and Printers Shortcut in Windows 10
• Add Devices and Printers Context Menu in Windows 10
• Add Devices and Printers To This PC in Windows 10

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