changing printer default settings

[AlanAndrist]

The printer default setting for color vs black & white is set to color as the default. Nearly all of my printing needs to be in black & white. Can the default setting be black & white? If so, how?

[MarcelusWallace]

Hi @AlanAndrist,

Welcome to the HP Community,

I understand you are trying to change the print settings to black and white on your HP Officejet 5740 e-All-in-One Printer. I will be happy to help.

I found this on pages 27-28 of the User Manual

Printer settings tips

● On the Paper/Quality tab, select the appropriate paper type from the Media drop-down list in the Tray Selection area, and then select the appropriate print quality in the Quality Settings area.

● Select the appropriate paper size from the Paper Size drop-down list in the Advanced Options dialog box. Access the Advanced Options dialog box by clicking the Advanced button on the Layout or Paper/Quality tab.

● To change default print settings, click Print, Scan & Fax, and then click Set Preferences in the printer software. Depending on your operating system, do one of the following to open the printer software:

◦ Windows 8.1: Click the down arrow in lower left corner of the Start screen, and then select the printer name.

◦ Windows 8: On the Start screen, right-click an empty area on the screen, click All Apps on the app bar, and then click the icon with the printer's name.

◦ Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP: From the computer desktop, click Start, select All Programs, click HP, click HP Officejet 5740 series, and then click HP Officejet 5740 series.

● If you want to print a black and white document using black ink only, click the Advanced button. From the Print in Grayscale drop-down menu, select Black Ink Only, then click the OK button.

I hope this helps.

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Click the "Accept as Solution" button if I have helped you reach a solution.

[AlanAndrist]

Marcelus

Thank you for the quick response. I'm able to follow the manual up to the point where Win 10 does things differently. I can change from Color to Greyscale or Black & White on each document and save the setting in the document meta data. My previous printer was able to set Greyscale as the default and the computer print screen has Greyscale listed as the default but Mr Printer seems to have other ideas and prints everything in color unless greyscale or Black & White are selected for each document. 

Are instructions available yet for Win 10?

Thanks again

--Alan

[MarcelusWallace]

Hi @AlanAndrist,

To change the default print settings on your Officejet 5740 in Windows 10 follow these steps:

1. Open the start menu and search "Devices and printers".

2. Open "Devices and Printers".

3. Highlight the printer that you would like to modify the settings of, then right click and open "Printer Preferences".

4. Go to the "Paper/Quality" tab.

5. If the "Color" option is available under the "Paper/Quality" tab change to "Black & White". If the option is not available, click "Advanced" and under "Document properties" find  "Print in Grayscale" change to on.

6. Click Save.

I hope this helps.

If this helps show appreciation for my reply by hitting the thumbs up below

Click the "Accept as Solution" button if I have helped you reach a solution.

[AlanAndrist · Accepted solution]

Marcelus

Excellent answer. I had to go in the back door of printers & devices because from Settings to Printers & Devices only allows you to set default or remove device. typing 'printer' in the search window from that screen took me to Printers & Devices where preferences could be set.

Thanks - Ahhh the bain of learning not so straight forward new software.

--Alan

[arican55]

I was able to change the default settings to "black ink only" and then clicked "apply".  However, the next time I try to print the setting has reverted back to "normal" without "black ink only".