Despite impressive advances in tech, printers remain some of the most annoying tools to use. They have difficulty connecting, printing properly, and doing what you need them to do. Here’s how to rename a printer using your Windows or Mac computer.
To rename your printer in Windows, you can go to either Settings or Control Panel. Then choose Printer Properties and rename your printer. To rename your printer on Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners. Under Options > General you’ll be able to rename your printer.
Renaming a printer is important if you have more than one on your network. Like a black laser printer and a full-color printer. Or if you replace one printer with the same brand printer. It’s good to know where you’re sending your documents.
It’s not as easy to rename a printer as you might expect. Here we will teach you how to rename a printer on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac.
Table of Contents
How to Rename a Printer in Windows 10
Windows 10 provides multiple ways to rename your printer. One way is not better than the other, but we will cover both methods.
The first option available to you is to modify your printer’s name in the settings. The second way is to go through the control panel.
1. Settings Option
The first thing you need to do is open the settings. You can find the settings with the search function on your computer. Once you are in the settings, click on Devices.
You should then find the Printers & Scanners button. Click on it and select the printer option. You can then click the Manage button. Clicking on that button will open a new window, and you will want to find the Printer Properties.
In the Printer Properties, direct yourself to the general tab. There you will see a line for you to rename your printer.
Name it whatever you want and click the Apply button. Finally, click OK, and you are good to go.
2. Control Panel Option
The second option is to rename your device in the control panel. Find the Control Panel with the search function on your computer.
Click on Hardware and Sound > followed by Devices and Printers.
You should then right-click the Printer Properties option.
Then, you can direct yourself to the general tab and give your printer a new name. Click Apply, followed by OK, and you are done.
How to Rename a Printer in Windows 11
While Windows 10 complicates the renaming process, Windows 11 makes things easier by only providing one location to rename your device.
Here is how to rename a printer on Windows 11.
- Start by opening the settings. You can find the settings with the computer search function next to the Windows symbol in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Once you open the settings, select the Bluetooth and Devices option, followed by Printers and Scanners. Here you can choose between all BlueTooth devices connected to your computer. Select the printer you want to rename.
- Find the Printer Properties option and click on it. Go to the general tab and enter a new name at the top of the window.
- Next, go to the Sharing tab and enter the new name again.
- Click OK, and your new name will display for all computers on your network.
Help! My iPhone Can’t Find My Printer: 6 Settings to Check
How to Rename a Printer on Mac
To rename your printer on Mac, follow these simple steps.
- Go to the Apple Menu.
- Select System Preferences, followed by Printers and Scanners. A list will appear on the left of your screen. Select the printer you want to rename.
- Next, select the Options & Supplies button, followed by General.
- You will then see a place to give a name to your printer. Enter any name you want. You can also fill in the printer’s location in this section.
- Once you do this, you can click OK, and your printer will display its new name until you change it again.
Issues That Can Arise When Renaming Your Printer
On some devices, you might have an error pop up when you try to rename your printer. The error will say something along the lines of, you do not have administrative permission to perform this function.
If this pops up, you need to open this function as an administrator and enter your password.
More reading: Here’s how to reset an HP and Canon Printer.
Your Turn
How did this process go for you? Please share your questions and tips to help other readers.
Bryan Haines is a co-founder and writer on PrintLikeThis. We troubleshoot printer problems to get you back to printing.
He also writes at Storyteller Tech and is a travel blogger at Storyteller.Travel. Bryan is co-founder of Storyteller Media, a company he started with his wife, Dena.