How to Install the Same Printer Twice with Different Settings in Windows 11?

Question

How to Install the Same Printer Twice with Different Settings in Windows 11?

Christopher Terry 0

I have a new HP printer with two trays. I use one tray for sheet mailing labels and the second for plain paper. I have another older HP printer that I was able to set up two different printer names with different paper trays assigned to cut down on the number of manual steps when printing. I cannot recall how this was done but I believe it had something to do with PORTS (?). Such as HP LABELS and HP PAPER names. Can anyone help? I appreciate any help you can provide.

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cjstudioguy 0 Reputation points

2024-08-03T16:37:55.3733333+00:00

I also have this issue. I manually added the 2nd Epson printer (same driver, different USB port, different name), and when I unplug the USB from 1 printer they both show unavailable in the printers list...how is this possible if they have 2 different USB ports assigned?
Marcus Kenny 0 Reputation points

2025-10-29T00:12:54.8633333+00:00

You have to go to the old/classic Devices and Printers interface.

From the Start Menu click:

Settings>Bluetooth & Devices>Devices>More devices and printer settings

Then add your printer from here. I had to click "the printer I want isn't listed" then choose the "My printer is a little older. Help me find it" options and I was able to add the same printer again with different label paper options.

(My windows 11 version 10.0.26100 Build 26100)
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2 answers

cjstudioguy 0 Reputation points

2024-08-03T16:37:55.3733333+00:00

I also have this issue. I manually added the 2nd Epson printer (same driver, different USB port, different name), and when I unplug the USB from 1 printer they both show unavailable in the printers list...how is this possible if they have 2 different USB ports assigned?
Marcus Kenny 0 Reputation points

2025-10-29T00:12:54.8633333+00:00

You have to go to the old/classic Devices and Printers interface.

From the Start Menu click:

Settings>Bluetooth & Devices>Devices>More devices and printer settings

Then add your printer from here. I had to click "the printer I want isn't listed" then choose the "My printer is a little older. Help me find it" options and I was able to add the same printer again with different label paper options.

(My windows 11 version 10.0.26100 Build 26100)
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This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Answer 1

Art Thompson 0

I was able to get it to work, but not perfectly. What I did differently is when setting up the new printer, I created a new TCP/IP port for each printer instead of selecting an existing port. Although I have so far created 5 copies of the printer, only 4 show up in Settings. so it's important to get the default settings correct while setting up the printer, because you might not get to see it again.

But all 5 do show up in my various software apps that I print from.

However, most of them do not pick up whether the profile is landscape or portrait, so creating different printers for those options may be a moot point.

I've been playing with this for a couple of hours now, so I'm about ready to give up and considerate a partial success.

Art Thompson 0 Reputation points

2024-08-10T16:12:38.8266667+00:00

it just occurred to me that in order for all those TCP/IP ports to work all the time, you do need to have your printer on a static IP.
Art Thompson 0 Reputation points

2024-08-11T17:03:44.12+00:00

Update: Click on any printer. Click on "More devices and settings" down at the bottom. And Bob's your Uncle:
Pp rs 0 Reputation points

2025-01-01T11:38:46.7366667+00:00

I’ve found 2 ways of doing this and both require bringing up the classic printers and devices in windows 11. First is select the printer and under all the options of printing preferences etc is more printer options. This brings up all your devices. All the printers that share a port are grouped but if you right click on it and choose any option then it will bring the list of all the printers that share the port and you can amend each individually.

second way to get to this point is the control panel. Right click on drives and printers and create a shortcut on the desktop. Double clinking the shortcut will bring up the same classic style list of devices. You can also add this shortcut to the start menu for ease in the future.

Answer 2

AllenLiu-MSFT 49,441 Microsoft External Staff

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Q&A forum.

To install the same printer twice with different settings in Windows 11, you can follow these steps:

Open the Windows Settings app and go to "Devices" > "Printers & scanners".
Click on the "Add a printer or scanner" button.
Windows will search for available printers. If your printer is not found, click on the "The printer that I want isn't listed" link.
Select "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings" and click on "Next".
Choose the printer port that your printer is connected to. If you're not sure which port to choose, check the printer manual or contact the manufacturer.
Select the printer manufacturer and model from the list, or click on "Have Disk" if you have a driver disk or downloaded driver.
Give the printer a new name, such as "HP Labels" or "HP Paper".
Choose whether to set this printer as the default printer or not.
Click on "Next" and then "Finish".
Repeat the above steps to add the printer again with a different name and settings.

By giving each printer a unique name and different settings, you can easily select the appropriate printer and settings when printing.

If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Add comment".

AllenLiu-MSFT 49,441 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-03-19T06:38:35.2933333+00:00

Just checking if there's any progress or updates?
Alex S 10 Reputation points

2024-04-04T22:37:44.5666667+00:00

The answer is not current for Windows 11.

Whilst you can install a second instance the printer is not treated as a separate printer, annoyingly the second printer's name is used in the printers list instead of the original and the settings (limited options) are only visible from the Printer Properties screen (at the top there are 2 'Printer Settings').

The point of having two printers installed is so that they can have completely different settings !
kiosk manager 0 Reputation points

2024-06-26T23:12:39.43+00:00

have you found a solution? I'm struggling with the same problem and how can I restrict users from changing the setting and how can i set it shell not ask to print color bw it should be as administrator set the printer
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Marcus Kenny 0 Reputation points

2025-10-29T00:09:57.28+00:00

Actually, this set of instructions does work, but you have to go to the old/classic Devices and Printers interface.

From the Start Menu click:

settings>Bluetooth & Devices>Devices>More devices and printer settings

Then add your printer from here. I had to click "the printer I want isn't listed" then choose the "My printer is a little older. Help me find it" options and I was able to add the same printer again with different label paper options.

(My windows 11 version 10.0.26100 Build 26100)