Forum Discussion

IC_WVan's avatar
IC_WVan
Copper Contributor
Oct 01, 2026

Microsoft Print to PDF

I use the Microsoft Print to PDF quite frequently.

Until recently you got a prompt to select a location to save the resulting PDF file, however that stopped happening after a recent update.

Where is Microsoft saving the files, and can I change the function back so that each time I print something to PDF I can set it up to get a prompt to specify a file location?

 

Thanks!

configuration
Features

3 Replies

  • IC_WVan's avatar
    IC_WVan
    Copper Contributor
    Oct 07, 2026

    Thanks for the suggestion.

    I deleted the printer, then restarted my computer. When I went to re-add the Microsoft Print to PDF printer was not shown as an available printer. I used the manual search and it also didn't show there.  

    Is there a way to find it?

     

  • Jamony's avatar
    Jamony
    MCT
    Oct 04, 2026

    You expect Microsoft Print to PDF to open a Save As dialog, but after the update it no longer appears. The virtual printer normally asks the calling application for an output filename; it does not have a configurable default folder that silently stores every PDF. First, print a one-line Notepad document to Microsoft Print to PDF. Check whether the Save As window opened behind another window or on a disconnected display, and clear any stuck job in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Microsoft Print to PDF > Open print queue. If Notepad also fails, run the Printer troubleshooter in Get Help, remove Microsoft Print to PDF, restart Windows, then add it again through Windows Features. If only one application is affected, repair that application because its print workflow controls the dialog. Until fixed, use that application's Export or Save as PDF command.

  • tylermbriscoe's avatar
    tylermbriscoe
    Copper Contributor
    Oct 02, 2026

    Hello IC_WVan​,

    If you don't see the Microsoft Print to PDF save-location prompt, the first troubleshooting step may be to remove and then re-add the Microsoft Print to PDF printer. To do this, open Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners in Windows Settings and remove and then re-add Microsoft Print to PDF. The save-location prompt might be reappear after this. If you want to convert existing PDF files to an editable format without uploading them online, an experts recommended conversion process can be used to convert or edit PDFs locally.