How do I change printer drivers in Windows?

Overview

You will need to install printer drivers if your printer is not currently installed or if the installed driver you are using has problems. You might also wish to reinstall a printer driver if it had been working successfully but now does not print. There are two different procedures for installing a new printer driver and for reinstalling an existing printer driver. Both will require you to have the floppy disk containing the printer drivers available.

Before You Begin

• Make sure you have your Microsoft Windows install disks available OR the disk containing the printer drivers you wish to install.

Procedure I: Installing a New Printer Driver

Win 3.11:

1. From the Program Manager, double-click the Control Panel icon. This is usually located in the Main group.
2. From the Control Panel window, double-click the Printers icon.
3. In the Printers window, click the Add>> button.
4. A list of printers will appear at the bottom of the Printers window. Scroll through the list until you find the printer driver you wish to install.
5. Click on the printer driver then click the Install button.
6. After clicking install, one of the following will occur:
   • The base driver was already installed so the new printer driver simply appears in the Installed Printers list.
   • A window appears asking you to insert a specific Microsoft Windows install disk. Insert the requested disk in either the A:\ or B:\ drive. Make sure the correct drive is indicated and click OK. The new printer driver will now install from the floppy disks.
7. Confirm that the port assigned to the new printer driver is correct. If you need to change the port:
   • Click on the new printer driver in the Installed Printer list.
   • Click the Connect... button.
   • Scroll through the list of connections under Ports.
   • Click on the correct port then click OK.
8. The new printer driver is now successfully installed. Click Close to leave the Printers window and save the change.
9. Go into Quicken or QuickBooks for Windows and use the new printer driver for your printer setups (i.e. Invoice printer; Cheque printer; Report/List printer; etc.)

Win '95:

1. If you are using Win 95 go directly to Printers from the Settings option under Start and follow the Add Printer Wizard.
2. Go into Quicken or QuickBooks for Windows and use the new printer driver for your printer setups (i.e. Invoice printer; Cheque printer; Report/List printer; etc.)

Procedure II: Reinstalling a Printer Driver

1. From the Program Manager double-click on the Control Panel icon then the Printers icon.
2. In the Printers window click the Add>> button.
3. Under List of Printers click Install Unlisted or Updated Printer.
4. Click Install.
5. You will be asked to insert the disk containing your printer drivers. This is usually Microsoft for Windows disk #7. Insert the disk in drive A:\ or B:\. Make sure the correct drive is indicated and click OK.
6. The Add Unlisted or Updated Printer window will appear. A list of printer drivers from the floppy disk will be available. Scroll through the list and click the printer driver you wish to reinstall. Now click OK.
7. A window may appear asking if you wish to use the current port connection. Click Current.
8. Once the printer driver has been reinstalled you will be at the Printers window. Simply click the Close button.
9. Go into Quicken or QuickBooks for Windows and try printing with the reinstalled printer driver.

Additional Notes

At Intuit we highly recommend that you back up your data regularly to protect against loss due to unexpected power failure, disk damage, or other mishap. Please consult your Users Manual for additional information regarding backing up.