How to See All of the Printer Drivers Installed in Windows 11

To see all of the printer drivers installed in Windows 11, select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Scroll down to Related settings and select Print server properties, then select the Drivers tab. It lists every printer driver on your PC, with its name, processor type and driver type.

Applies to: Windows 11. No downloads or administrator rights needed to view the list. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 30, 2026.

Printers and printer drivers aren’t the same thing

Printers & scanners in Settings shows your printers. A printer driver is the software Windows uses to talk to a printer. The two lists often don’t match:

• One driver can be used by several printers, such as two printers of the same model.
• A driver stays on your PC after you remove the printer that used it.
• Built-in “printers” like Microsoft Print to PDF use drivers too.

So if you want to know exactly which drivers are installed, use the Drivers tab described below.

Method 1: Use Print server properties (all printer drivers)

1. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Scroll down to Related settings and select Print server properties.

3. In the Print Server Properties window, select the Drivers tab.

The list shows:

• Name, the driver’s name, which usually includes the printer brand and model.
• Processor, such as x64 or ARM64, the type of PC the driver is for.
• Type, such as Type 3 – User Mode or Type 4 – User Mode. Type 4 drivers are the newer style of Windows printer driver.

To see more about a driver, select it and then select Properties. You’ll see details such as the driver’s files and where they’re stored.

You can look at this list without administrator rights. The Add, Remove and Change Driver Settings buttons, which change drivers, need administrator rights.

Method 2: Find which driver a printer uses

To see the driver for one printer:

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select the printer.
2. Select Printer properties.
3. Select the Advanced tab. The driver name appears next to Driver.

If two printers show the same driver name, they share one driver. If a printer shows a general name like Microsoft IPP Class Driver, Windows is using its own built-in driver rather than one from the printer maker.

Method 3: Check a printer driver’s version

The Drivers tab doesn’t show version numbers. The easiest place to find one is the printer’s own settings:

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select the printer.
2. Select Printing preferences.
3. Look for a tab called About, Support or Maintenance. Many printer makers show the driver version there.

Compare it with the version on the printer maker’s support page for your model. If the maker’s number is higher, there’s a newer driver. If the printer uses a built-in Microsoft driver, Windows Update keeps it up to date for you.

Method 4: List printer drivers with a command

If you’re comfortable with commands, this gives you a list you can copy:

1. Right-click Start and select Terminal.
2. Type Get-PrinterDriver and press Enter.

The list shows each driver’s name and the type of PC it’s for. To see only the names, type Get-PrinterDriver | Select-Object Name instead.

What to do with the list

• Remove drivers you no longer need. Old drivers can sometimes cause printing problems. First remove the printer, then remove its driver on the Drivers tab. This needs administrator rights, so on a work or school PC, ask your IT department. See how to remove a printer in Windows 11.
• Update a printer driver. Microsoft recommends Windows Update first, then the printer maker’s website. See how to check if drivers are up to date in Windows 11.
• Fix a printer that stopped working. Microsoft suggests removing the printer and adding it again, which can make Windows download the latest driver. See how to add a printer in Windows 11.

If you can’t see the drivers

• Print server properties is missing. Scroll to the very bottom of the Printers & scanners page. It’s under Related settings.
• Your printer’s driver isn’t listed. The printer may be using a built-in Microsoft driver, which appears under a Microsoft name. Check the printer’s Advanced tab (Method 2).
• A removed printer’s driver is still listed. That’s normal. Windows keeps the driver until you remove it on the Drivers tab.
• The Remove button does nothing or shows an error. The driver may still be in use by a printer, or you need administrator rights. Remove the printer first and restart your PC.
• You’re on a work PC. Your organization may install printer drivers for you and stop you changing them.

Frequently asked questions

Where are printer drivers stored in Windows 11?

Windows keeps installed printer drivers in its driver store, inside the Windows folder. You don’t need to open these folders. Use the Drivers tab to see and manage them.

Can I see printer drivers in Device Manager?

Device Manager lists printers under Print queues, but those entries show the Windows print queue rather than the printer’s own driver. For a list of printer drivers, use the Drivers tab in Print server properties.

Why are there drivers for printers I’ve never used?

Windows includes drivers for built-in features like Microsoft Print to PDF, and apps can add their own virtual printers. You may also have added a printer once and removed it later.

Does Print Management show printer drivers?

Yes, but it’s only in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise and Education, and it’s meant for IT administrators. Print server properties works in every edition.

How do I set a printer as the default?

See how to set a default printer in Windows 11.

Next steps

If print jobs get stuck, see how to clear the printer queue in Windows 11. Using Windows 10? See how to install or update printer drivers in Windows 10. Microsoft explains your options in Download and install the latest printer drivers.