Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Windows

[Lync]

Why is Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Windows?
Or just making it harder for you to get the the old Devices and Printers?
Or not even letting you create a shortcut to the old Devices and Printers?

I know you can click on "The Windows Icon, then Settings, Bluetooth and Devices, Devices, then scroll down and click on More Devices and Settings" but this is too much for me.

This is what I have come up with:
Create a text file on your desktop, rename it to "Devices and Printers.bat" so it becomes a batch file instead of a txt file. Copy and paste the following line into it:
start "C:\Users\INSERT-USER-HERE\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\Run.exe" shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}
Change INSERT-USER-HERE to your Windows User account.

Save the file, then double click on it. This is your shortcut to the old Devices and Printers.

Rant over...


Does anyone else have another way to bring up the old Devices and Printers easier?

[Xandy_73]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Are you referring to Windows 11?
If so, the add mode is still there but more annoying to get to.

To access go to settings, bluetooth and devices, printers and scanner, add device, add manually, from then on the option to add will appear as in windows 10 - 8 - 7 - ...

Capturar.jpg

[dalewb74]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

search bar at the bottom. i just type control, you will see control panel come up. select it, then BAM devices and printers. easy peasy??

[KenB]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Definitely a bit different than previous versions of Windows, but not any more difficult.

[slimslob]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Simple solution. Download, install and configure Classic Shell. I've been using it for years. It gives me Classic Windows desktop and a Start button instead of The Windows Icon. You have options as to the Start menu. The options are:

1. Classic
2. Two columns
3. Windows 7

With the Two columns there is a selection for Printers. Windows 7 has Devices and Printers. And it is the full Windows 7 Devices and Printers screen to include Add a Device and Add a Printer.

[Lync]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

search bar at the bottom. i just type control, you will see control panel come up. select it, then BAM devices and printers. easy peasy??

If you left click on Devices and Printers in Control Panel it takes you to the new Bluetooth and Devices window.
If you right click on it and Open in New Window, it takes you to the Old Devices and Printers Window. The Old Devices and Printers Window is what I want so this works.

This is still an easy way to get to it when I am at a customer site where I don't have my shortcut. Thank you.

[Lync]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Definitely a bit different than previous versions of Windows, but not any more difficult.

They make it more and more of an inconvenience every time a new version of Windows comes out.

[Lync]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Simple solution. Download, install and configure Classic Shell. I've been using it for years. It gives me Classic Windows desktop and a Start button instead of The Windows Icon. You have options as to the Start menu. The options are:

1. Classic
2. Two columns
3. Windows 7

With the Two columns there is a selection for Printers. Windows 7 has Devices and Printers. And it is the full Windows 7 Devices and Printers screen to include Add a Device and Add a Printer.

Classic-Shell hasn't been in active development since 2017, it has been picked up by volunteers and is now called Open-Shell. Are you using Open-Shell? Or does the original Classic-Shell still work on the current version of Windows 11?
I do like making my computer look like the old Windows 98.

[Lync]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Are you referring to Windows 11?
If so, the add mode is still there but more annoying to get to.

To access go to settings, bluetooth and devices, printers and scanner, add device, add manually, from then on the option to add will appear as in windows 10 - 8 - 7 - ...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]60437[/ATTACH]

I am referring to Windows 11, I'm wanting to go to the Old Devices and Printer window.
Even when I am in that window and copy the location at the top "Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers" and paste it into a new Window, it doesn't take me back to exactly where I want to be.
I think they are getting people used to their new way before they eventually remove the Old Devices and Printers completely in a future update of Windows.

[dalewb74]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Simple solution. Download, install and configure Classic Shell. I've been using it for years. It gives me Classic Windows desktop and a Start button instead of The Windows Icon. You have options as to the Start menu. The options are:

1. Classic
2. Two columns
3. Windows 7

With the Two columns there is a selection for Printers. Windows 7 has Devices and Printers. And it is the full Windows 7 Devices and Printers screen to include Add a Device and Add a Printer.

yes classical shell is great!!

[dalewb74]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

please refer to my first post about this. i use this almost daily.... after you have typed control panel in the search bar. you want to view by large icons, not by category. it's located near the top right of the page. when you select large icons, then it will appear as it did before. is it a pain? yes. but we always have to learn something new. if you get a new cell phone or a new vehicle there is always new stuff to learn. microsoft isn't trying to hide it, nor remove it.

[slimslob]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

Classic-Shell hasn't been in active development since 2017, it has been picked up by volunteers and is now called Open-Shell. Are you using Open-Shell? Or does the original Classic-Shell still work on the current version of Windows 11?
I do like making my computer look like the old Windows 98.

I'm still using Classic Shell.

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on 9/21/2022
OS build 22621.2428
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22674.1000.0

[SalesServiceGuy]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

I am good with almost anything that Microsoft does that forces customers to upgrade their old equipment.

On a Win 10/11 PC try printmangement.msc

[JimHegs]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

This is slightly off-topic but still a cool tip, forget control panel and go straight to God Mode

1. Make a new (empty) folder on your desktop or USB stick
2. Rename the folder to: God Mode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
3. Click on the folder and there you have it, EVERYTHING on one menu

Works on Win 7 and above, you can put it on your thumb drive full of drivers and other tools so it's there when you need it.

[slimslob]

Re: Microsoft trying to stop you from getting to the old Devices and Printers in Wind

I am good with almost anything that Microsoft does that forces customers to upgrade their old equipment.

On a Win 10/11 PC try printmangement.msc

Doesn't work for me. Get could not find.