WD: Can't Set Default Printer (Word 7.0 and Later)

 Last reviewed: January 29, 1998
Article ID: Q134933
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

You can not set the default printer from the Print dialog box. This functionality has changed from Word version 6.x which allowed you to set a default printer.

CAUSE

This is a design feature of Word versions 7.0 and later. Word no longer sets the default printer driver. In Word 6.x when you set the default printer driver, it remained the default even when you exited Word.

RESOLUTION

To set the a default printer, use any of the following methods.

Method 1

To set a default printer, modify the properties of the printer. For more information about how to perform this task in Windows, see your Windows printed documentation or open the Windows Help Topics Index, and see the "default printer, setting" topic.

Method 2

You can create a macro using the FilePrintSetup command to set the default printer, as in the following example: 

   FilePrintSetup .Printer = "HP LaserJet IIISi PostScript on
   \\NCPRINT\3SI@4079", .DoNotSetAsSysDefault = 1
The .donotsetAsSysdefault flag can be set to 0 to force the default printer change.

Additional query words: set default printer setting
Keywords : kbprint
Version : 7.0
Platform : WINDOWS

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: January 29, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.