Viewing printer properties in Windows 8?

Question

I recently upgraded to windows 8 but noticed that there is no longer a Device Manager application, thus no way for me to view the status of my devices. After a couple of minutes of playing around I found a list of all of my installed devices, but nothing that would indicate the status of those devices such as current ink level, amount of paper etc. How can I view these things?

Answer 1

My favorite way to view printers is through the Print Management snap-in.

_{(Print Management console is unavailable on Windows 7 Home Premium, and possibly other versions as well. YMMV.)}

Open an MMC using Windows Key+R to open a run dialog and type MMC, add a snap-in by pusing Ctrl+M, and add Print Management to the list:

Now Add the Local Server to view the printers on your computer:

Click Finish, Ok, and drill down in to the snap-in:

From here you can conveniently manage printers, drivers, and ports. Right click a printer to open its properties. Use the More Actions menu add ports/printers/drivers or open dialog boxes to mange them.

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You can also add Device Manager to the MMC by using Ctrl+M and adding Device Manager.

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As far as ink levels, this might depend on your printer, its drivers, and proprietary software. You may be able to find it hiding in the properties somewhere though.

Answer 2

Do you mean this device manager?

Just go to Computer > System properties (in the ribbon) > Device Manager (on the left panel).

Alternatively, an easier way is to right-click the bottom-left corner (start menu) to access Device Manager:

Exactly what data you get from the printer (ink level/paper) would depend on your printer and its drivers.

Answer 3

Have you checked Control Panel / Devices and Printers or the Charms bar / Devices?

Also see How do I set traditional printer settings from a Modern UI app (Reader)?

Answer 4

You can also highlight any single printer in the printer and devices window and the menu bar changes and adds the option for printer server.