What to do when Windows 10 Print Management is missing

December 23, 2024

The Windows 10 Print Management Utility, commonly referred to as the Print Management Console, has been an integral component of the Windows operating system for many years. Its accessibility is essential for desktop administrators who rely on it for various settings, including hardware preferences and default printer configurations. However, a growing number of IT professionals are reporting that this crucial utility is absent from their Windows deployments. As a desktop administrator, it is vital to ensure you can access the Print Management Console and understand the steps to take when it is not available.

How to access the Print Management Console

Historically, the Print Management Console was a default installation within Windows 10. To check for its presence on your system, right-click the Start button and select Run. Enter the command PrintManagement.msc in the Run prompt. If the console is installed, it will launch, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. The Print Management Console that has popped up after running the command.

What are the Print Management Console use cases?

For some users, the absence of the Print Management Console may not pose a significant issue. Windows 10 allows for printer installations and usage without needing to access this console. Nevertheless, the Print Management Console proves invaluable for Windows administrators, especially in office settings.

While many IT professionals may regard the Print Management Console as primarily beneficial for server operating systems, it holds substantial merit in desktop-centric environments. Consider the case of a specialized printer, such as one used for printing checks; the Print Management Console enables administrators to control who has permission to print, thereby enhancing security and operational efficiency.

For example, if you have a printer that is expensive to operate or used for a special purpose, such as printing checks, then you can use the Print Management Console to control who is allowed to print to the printer.

The Print Management Console streamlines the management of multiple printers. Instead of navigating through the Printers and Scanners settings or the legacy Control Panel—which Microsoft plans to phase out—the console provides a unified interface for overseeing all printers, including networked ones. It also facilitates updates to device drivers and configuration of various print settings.

Additionally, the console grants access to individual print queues, allowing administrators to monitor print jobs, delete stuck jobs, cancel ongoing tasks, or adjust the order of print jobs. Furthermore, it enables the application of access controls and security settings for specific printers, ensuring that only authorized personnel can manage sensitive print tasks.

Why is the Print Management Console missing?

There are two primary reasons the Print Management Console may not be present in your Windows 10 deployment. First, not every edition of Windows includes this utility. The Print Management Console is available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, but it is absent from Windows 10 Home.

Moreover, as of Windows 10 version 2004—the May 2020 update—the Print Management Console became an optional feature, meaning it is no longer installed by default. In certain instances, a Windows 10 system may still have the Print Management Console despite being on a newer build, typically if the PC was upgraded from an earlier version where the console was installed. However, if the original installation media used for deploying Windows 10 is build 2004 or higher, the console will not be included by default, necessitating a manual installation.

How to install the Print Management Console

If you discover that the Print Management Console is missing from your Windows 10 setup, there are two methods to install it. Both approaches require a supported edition of Windows 10, as the console is not compatible with Windows 10 Home Edition.

Install the Print Management Console with PowerShell

The first method involves using Windows PowerShell. Begin by launching an elevated PowerShell session and enter the following command:

Get-WindowsCapability -Name “Print.Management.Console*” -Online | Add-WindowsCapability -Online

This straightforward command will install the Print Management Console, as depicted in Figure 2.

Figure 2. The PowerShell command that will install the Print Management Console on Windows desktops that can support it.

Installing the Print Management Console via the Windows GUI

If you prefer a graphical interface over the command line, you can install the Print Management Console directly from the Windows desktop. Open Settings, navigate to System, and then click on the Optional Features tab. Scroll through the list of optional features until you find the Print Management Console. Check the box next to it and click the Add button, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. The option to add the Print Management Console via the Optional features settings menu.

Upon completing these steps, the Print Management Console will be successfully installed.

Brien Posey is a former 22-time Microsoft MVP and a commercial astronaut candidate. In his more than 30 years in IT, he has served as a lead network engineer for the U.S. Department of Defense and a network administrator for some of the largest insurance companies in America.

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