Print To File Problem in Windows 10

Hi Christine. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Guardian Moderator here to help you.

Reset Office at Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Microsoft Office > Advanced Options > Modify > Repair. This will usually solve problems caused by Updates and is easiest.

If that's not enough we need to consider the printer install since any install short of using the full manufacturer's software package is not long-lasting and stable. Rather than spending too much more time fiddling I'd simply Clean Install the printer which always works, lasts longer and actually saves time:

1) Power up the printer, if wired unplug it's USB cable from PC.

2) Go to Settings>Apps>Apps and Features to find and Uninstall any printer software.

3) Use one of these methods to remove all of the old printer drivers:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/101274-unin...

4) Now type Control Panel in Start Search, open CP, choose Icon View. In Control Panel open Devices and Printers, right click printer to delete Printer and any scanner or fax of the same name. Restart PC.

5) Go to the printer model’s Support Downloads webpage to download and install the latest full software package. Now is also the time to check for any newer printer firmware to install which matters a lot.

6) Extract Printer software, right click Setup file to Run as Administrator. Follow the setup screens closely as you install the software. For USB it should prompt when to plug in the printer.

Older software may need to be installed in Compatibility Mode to run correctly: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-non-...
If you have further problems reply back with results of each step.


I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Windows 10 update installed my HP Photosmart 8150 printer on a IEEE cable not USB and I deleted it from Device Manager and everywhere else still it reinstalles on a socket I do not have on my CPU. Can not get rid of it.  Ran find on Windows 10 drivers until last update of everything.  DO NOT UPDATE everything - it dumps good stuff.

Greg - you may be a 10 year MVP, and I guess you don't work for Windows so you have no input -- but the "upgrades" should not make us reinstall our printers -- The print to file option is archaic and probably has not been used by even the most pro print shops for a decade or more -- the fact that Windows will not make sure those problems don't exist simply reinforces the fact that Windows is not be test run enough to iron this out.  I waited until now to make the upgrade to give them time to work out bugs but they just say --"tough" --  And you and your MVP buddies only reinforce this  frustrating inefficiency.