How do I set the windows default printer in C#?

Question

How do I set the windows default printer in C#.NET?

Answer 1

This is the method I use now. I include the SetDefaultPrinter method to improve reliability. I derived this from other answers, and it is revised to reflect feedback for my previous answer version.

Regarding comments: This method is appropriate only inside the scope of a running C# application session. This method does not change printer settings managed by the operating system or stored in the registry.

using System.Drawing.Printing;

[DllImport("winspool.drv", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
public static extern bool SetDefaultPrinter(string Name);

public static PrinterSettings Printer_Settings = new System.Drawing.Printing.PrinterSettings();

/// 

/// Get or Sets the session's Default Printer
/// 
public static string Session_DefaultPrinter
{
  get { return Printer_Settings.PrinterName; }
  set
  {
    SetDefaultPrinter(value);
    Printer_Settings.DefaultPageSettings.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = value;
    Printer_Settings.PrinterName = value;
  }
}

Typical Usage:

string stashPrinterName = Session_DefaultPrinter;
// Switch to my Special Printer
Session_DefaultPrinter = mySpecialPrinter;
// print to my Special Printer
// ...
// Restore the original session's printer
Session_DefaultPrinter = stashPrinterName;