Why you might need to delete a printer driver
You delete a printer driver when you no longer use that printer, when a driver is causing problems, or when you want to switch to a different version. Removing the driver frees up disk space (usually a small amount), stops the printer from appearing in your print menu, and can resolve conflicts if two versions of the same driver are installed.
The process differs slightly between Windows and Mac, and the steps depend on whether the printer is still physically connected to your computer. A driver left behind after you've already unplugged the printer is harmless but clutters your system — removing it is optional but clean.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, use Settings > Devices > Printers to remove most drivers, or Device Manager for drivers that won't uninstall the normal way.
- On Mac, delete the printer from System Settings > Printers & Scanners, then remove leftover files from the Library folder if they remain.
- Disconnect the printer from your computer before uninstalling the driver, or Windows will reinstall it automatically.
- If a driver won't delete, restart your computer first — Windows sometimes locks driver files while they're in use.
- Manufacturer uninstall programs (if you have the original installation disc or downloaded them) remove drivers more completely than the built-in tools.
Removing a printer driver on Windows 10 and 11
The simplest path is through Settings. First, unplug the printer from your computer or disconnect it from your network — this prevents Windows from automatically reinstalling the driver. Then open Settings, go to Devices, select Printers & scanners, find the printer in the list, click it, and select Remove device. Windows will delete the driver files.
If the printer does not appear in that list, or if clicking Remove does nothing, the driver files may still be on your system. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it, or search for it). Look for Print queues or Universal Serial Bus controllers depending on how the printer connects. Right-click the printer name and select Uninstall device. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device before confirming.
Restart your computer after deletion. If the printer reappears in Device Manager, Windows found and reinstalled the driver — this means the printer is still connected or Windows has a copy stored elsewhere. Disconnect it completely and try again, or use the manufacturer's uninstall program if you have it.
Removing a printer driver on Mac
Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions), select Printers & Scanners, find the printer in the list on the left, and click the minus sign below it. The printer disappears from the menu when ready.
Mac usually removes the driver files automatically, but sometimes leftover files remain. To check, open Finder, press Command+Shift+G to open the Go to Folder dialog, and type /Library/Printers. Look for a folder with the printer manufacturer's name (like HP, Canon, or Epson). If it exists and you no longer use any printers from that brand, you can delete it. Do the same for /Library/Caches — search for folders containing the printer brand name and delete them if they appear.
If you cannot delete a folder because it says you do not have permission, the printer driver is still in use. Restart your Mac and try again.
Using the manufacturer's uninstall program
HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and other printer makers often provide their own uninstall programs that remove drivers more thoroughly than the built-in Windows or Mac tools. If you have the original installation disc, it usually includes an uninstall option. If you downloaded the driver, check the manufacturer's website — many provide a separate uninstall utility in the same section where you downloaded the driver.
On Windows, run the uninstall program and follow its prompts. It will remove not just the driver but also any companion software (like printer status monitors or scanning utilities). On Mac, look for an Uninstaller process in the downloaded folder or in Applications, and run it.
This method is slower but catches files that the system tools miss. Use it if a driver keeps reappearing after you delete it through Settings or Device Manager, or if you want to remove all traces of a printer brand before installing a new one.
What to do if the driver will not delete
If you see an error message or the delete button does nothing, the driver files are probably locked because Windows or Mac is still using them. Restart your computer completely — do not just log out — and try again when ready after startup, before opening other programs.
On Windows, if the driver still will not delete, try Safe Mode. Restart your computer, and as it starts, press F8 repeatedly (or Shift+F8 on some machines) until you see the boot menu. Select Safe Mode, log in, and try deleting the driver through Device Manager again. Safe Mode loads fewer drivers and services, so Windows is less likely to lock the files you want to remove.
If the manufacturer provides an uninstall program, try that instead — it sometimes has permission to remove files that the system tools cannot touch. As a last resort, you can leave the driver on your system. An unused driver takes up minimal space and causes no harm if the printer is not connected.
Preventing automatic reinstallation
Windows sometimes automatically downloads and installs printer drivers when you plug in a new printer, even if you do not want it to. To stop this, go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions, scroll down, and turn off Get notifications about tips and recommendations. This does not fully disable automatic driver installation, but it reduces it.
A more complete solution is to disable Windows Update for drivers. Open Group Policy Editor (search for gpedit.msc), navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation, and set Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings to Enabled. This requires Windows Pro or higher — Home edition does not have Group Policy Editor.
On Mac, this is not an issue — the system does not automatically install printer drivers without your action.
When to leave a driver alone
If a printer driver is not causing problems and you are not running low on disk space, there is no strong reason to delete it. Unused drivers do not slow down your computer or create security risks. They sit quietly in the background taking up a few megabytes.
Delete a driver if you want a clean system, if you are troubleshooting a printing problem, or if you are preparing to sell or give away your computer. Otherwise, leaving it in place is harmless and saves you the time of dealing with reinstallation later if you ever use that printer again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting a printer driver affect other printers I use?
No. Each printer has its own driver. Deleting one printer's driver does not touch the drivers for other printers on your system. You can safely remove one without affecting the others.
Can I delete a driver while the printer is still plugged in?
You can try, but Windows will usually reinstall it automatically. Disconnect the printer first — unplug the USB cable or remove it from your network — then delete the driver. This prevents Windows from detecting the printer and redownloading the driver.
What if I delete a driver and then want to use that printer again later?
Windows and Mac will automatically find and install the driver the next time you connect the printer. You do not need to manually reinstall it. If automatic installation fails, visit the printer manufacturer's website and read the driver again.
Does deleting a printer driver free up a lot of disk space?
No. Most printer drivers take up between 50 megabytes and 500 megabytes — a small fraction of modern hard drives. Delete drivers for cleanliness or troubleshooting, not to reclaim significant storage space.
Why does Device Manager show my printer even after I deleted it?
Windows sometimes caches driver information. Restart your computer and check again. If it still appears, the printer may still be connected to your system — check USB cables and network connections. If it is truly disconnected and still appears, use the manufacturer's uninstall program or try deleting it in Safe Mode.