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5 Quick Ways to Install Printer Drivers in Windows 7

Learn to install drivers for your new printer

4 min. read

Updated onMay 10, 2024

updated onMay 10, 2024

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Key notes

Windows 7 still has a big user count even though Microsoft no longer supports it. Although it’s an older platform, you can still install printer drivers in Windows 7 much the same as in Windows 10.

Although you can’t install a new printer driver with Settings in Windows 7, that platform still includes the Control Panel.

How can I install a printer driver in Windows 7?

Users need to both install drivers for new printers and update them for old ones. These are the various ways you can install drivers for newly purchased printers and install the latest drivers for printers within Windows 7.

We also have an article onhow to install printer drives in Windows 11that you can check out.

1. Use a reliable driver updater tool

If you want to check if there are newer drivers to install for your printer, run a driver updater software scan. A driver updater scan will show you what devices on your PC have outdated drivers. Then you can download and install the latest driver for your printer with the driver updater utility.

Using suchspecialized softwareis the best method to manage your missing drivers or just update the old ones from the official producers’ sources.

More so, you should take advantage of the following tool if you need the maximum capacity of your hardware components, including your printer device.

2. Take advantage of the Add Printer wizard

Most of the printers released over the last three years or so are probably USB ones. Drivers for USB printers get automatically installed when users plug the printers into PCs.

The method above is more applicable for installing drivers for older printers or wireless ones.

3. Install printer drivers in Windows 7 with Device Manager

A classic and easy method to download and install a printer driver on your Windows 7 device is via Device Manager. All you need to do is locate your printer in the devices list and configure Windows to automatically search a driver for it.

Open Run with theWindows+Rhotkey.

2.Type this command into Run:devmgmt.msc

ClickOKto open Device Manager.

4.Double-click thePrinterscategory.

Right-click your listed printer and select theUpdate driveroption.

6.Select theSearch automatically for driversoption in the window shown directly below.

Windows will then download and install a new driver for your printer.

4. Download printer drivers from manufacturer websites

5. Install Windows 7 drivers with a DVD that came with the printer

DVDs are in obsolescence, and most USB printers probably don’t come with driver discs these days. If your printer does happen to have a driver installation DVD, however, insert that disc into your PC’s CD/DVD drive.

When you insert it, an installation wizard will probably then automatically open. So, there are a few different ways you can install PC drivers in Windows 7.

For driver update purposes, you can utilize driver updater software and Device Manager or manually download and install new ones. Let us know your choice in the comments area below.

5 Quick Ways to Install Printer Drivers in Windows 7#

How can I install a printer driver in Windows 7?#

1. Use a reliable driver updater tool#

2. Take advantage of the Add Printer wizard#

3. Install printer drivers in Windows 7 with Device Manager#

4. Download printer drivers from manufacturer websites#

5. Install Windows 7 drivers with a DVD that came with the printer#