Windows
Default printer resets after remote sign-in
The default printer did not stay set when signing into the remote server. Printer sharing was turned off in the Remote Desktop shortcut on the laptop so the server kept the intended default printer and the local printer no longer appeared there.
Killed once by someone from XL.net, on 2026-10-30.
Affects
Versions
- Windows
Apps
- Remote Desktop shortcut
Hardware
- laptop
What you see
- The default printer changes or resets after signing in to the remote server.
- The local printer appears in the remote session instead of staying only on the laptop.
Why it happens
Likely Printer sharing was enabled in the Remote Desktop shortcut, so printer redirection affected the remote session.
When it shows up
A user says their default printer does not stay set after logging into a remote server from a Windows laptop.
You are in this case if:
- The Remote Desktop shortcut has printer sharing enabled.
- The local printer shows up in the remote session when the user signs in.
1 fix below
The steps that killed it
The steps are behind a quick check
There are two ways in and both take a few seconds. Signing in opens the steps on every bug page; so does reading the picture.
Or answer this
Drawing a picture for you.
Can't read it? Sign in instead.
Someone from XL.net killed this on a Windows computer on 2026-10-30. It is written up from that one repair, so it cites no outside page.