How to remove Print to PDF Printer in Windows 10

By default, Windows 10 comes with a nice print to PDF feature which allows you to create PDF files without using third party software. Windows 10 ships with the "Microsoft Print to PDF" virtual printer installed out-of-the-box so you can create PDF documents. If you find no use for this PDF printer and are not going to use it to create PDF files, here is how to to remove it quickly.

Probably the fastest way to remove the Microsoft Print to PDF printer is to use the command line. Once you execute a command, it will remove the printer without additional prompts, dialogs and confirmations.

Remove the Print to PDF printer from Windows 10 using the command line

To remove this printer, open a new command prompt instance, then type or paste the following command:

printui.exe /dl /n "Microsoft Print to PDF"

The same can be done using PowerShell. Open a new instance of PowerShell and use the following command:

Remove-Printer -Name "Microsoft Print to PDF"

Both commands above do not produce any output and remove the Print to PDF printer silently and quickly.

If you prefer the GUI way to remove this printer, you can do the following.

Remove the Print to PDF printer from Windows 10 using GUI

1. Open Settings.
   
2. Go to Devices - Printers & Scanners.
   
3. On the right, select the item named Microsoft Print to PDF:Once you have it selected, the option Remove device will appear under the printer's name. Use it to remove the XPS Document writer.

You are done.

Here is how to restore the removed PDF printer.

Restore the removed Microsoft Print to PDF printer in Windows 10

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers:
3. Click the "Add a printer" button on the toolbar:
4. In the dialog that appears, click the link "The printer that I want isn't listed":
5. In "Find a printer by other options", select "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings":
6. On the next page under the option "Use an existing port" you need to select "PORTPROMPT: (Local Port)" from the drop down list.
7. Select Microsoft in the Manufacturer list on the left and pick the item "Microsoft Print to PDF" in the right.
8. On the next page, tick the option "Use the driver that is currently installed" and click the Next button.
9. Click Next on the last two pages of the "Add Printer" wizard and you are done.

That's it.

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