Printer drivers are small pieces of software that act as an intermediary between the operating system and the printers that are installed on a computer. The driver sends commands to the printer telling it how to perform specific tasks and functions.

Each printer uses a unique driver specific to the make and model of the device, Windows computers come with a library of drivers and often when you install a new printer Windows will detect the printer and install the appropriate driver. If a driver is not found, you will be prompted to provide one. You can use the CD that came with the printer if one was included, or you can visit the manufacturers website to download the correct driver.

If you are moving to a new operating system or computer, you can export and then import the printer drivers.

How to Export Printer Drivers

You can export the drivers using the Windows Printer Migration Wizard or the Windows Print Management snap-in. When you export the drivers, a file will be created, you can use that file to restore the printers on the same computer or transfer it to another computer.

Using the Printer Migration Wizard

The Printer Migration Wizard is included in all versions of Windows 11 except for Windows Home Edition.

Right-click the Start button and select Run. In the run dialog box enter printbrmui.exe and click OK to open the Printer Migration Wizard.

Select Export printer queues and printer drivers to a file and then click Next.

To export the printers on the current computer, select This print server, or enter the network address of another computer on the network.

You will see a list of the printers that will be exported. Click Next.

The select a file location window will open, click the browse button to choose a file name and location to save the file then click Next.

A success message will appear once the export has successfully completed. Click Finish.

If the export fails, a button to open the Event Viewer will be displayed to help you diagnose the problem.

Using the Windows Print Management snap-in console

You can also use the Windows Print Management console to export and restore printer drivers.

Right-click the Start button and select Run. In the run dialog box enter printmanagement.msc and click OK.

The Print Management window will open, in the menu expand the Print Servers listing.

Right click the listing for the computer and select Export printers to a file.

You will see a list of the printers that will be exported. Click Next.

The select a file location window will open, click the browse button to choose a file name and location to save the file then click Next.

A success message will appear once the export has successfully completed. Click Finish. If the export fails, a button to open the Event Viewer will be displayed to help you diagnose the problem.

How to Import Printer Drivers

Using the Printer Migration Wizard

Right-click the Start button and select Run. In the run dialog box enter printbrmui.exe and click OK to open the Printer Migration wizard.

Select Import printer queues and printer drivers from a file and click Next.

Click the Browse button and browse to the location where the exported file is saved. Select the file and click Open.

You will see a list of the printers that will be imported. Click Next.

Select This print server to restore the printers to the current computer or select a print server on the network.

Change the Import mode to either Keep existing printers or Overwrite existing printers, leave the List in the directory as List printers that were previously listed, and keep the option to Convert LPR ports to Standard Printer Port Monitors unchecked, then click Next.

 The drivers will be imported, click Finish.

Using the Windows Print Management snap-in console

Right-click the Start button and select Run. In the run dialog box enter printmanagement.msc and click OK.

The Print Management window will open, in the menu expand the Print Servers listing.

Right click the listing for the computer and select Import printers from a file.

Click the Browse button and browse to the location where the exported file is saved. Select the file and click Open.

You will see a list of the printers that will be imported. Click Next.

Change the Import mode to either Keep existing printers or Overwrite existing printers, and leave the other settings as they are.

Press Next to start the import, and Finish once the process is complete.