How to make 2-sided printing permanent

CG Stroh 46

In Widows 11, on an HP printer, in the settings, there is the option to select 2-sided printing by changing "not installed" to "installed". Once having done this the 2-sided printing works. But when you go off and do other things, something changes the feature back to "not installed". I do not know what is doing this or how to make it stop. I changed the feature "Let windows control your default printer" to on and off with no change in what is turning the feature off?

CG Stroh 46 Reputation points

2026-11-02T18:18:06.01+00:00

Which do I choose? PCL(64-bit), PS964-bit) or PCL(Arm64-bt)?
Ronald Sabiiti 1,585 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-02T18:28:43.8533333+00:00
I recommend choosing PCL (64-bit) for your Windows 11 computer, assuming it has a standard Intel or AMD processor.

PCL (64-bit): Recommended for most Windows 11 computers with Intel or AMD processors.

PS (64-bit): PostScript driver, generally used when specific PostScript compatibility is required.

PCL (ARM64-bit): Only for Windows devices with ARM-based processors.

To confirm your system type:

Open Settings → System → About.

Look under System type.

If it says 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor, choose PCL (64-bit).

After installation, check whether the duplex setting remains Installed.
CG Stroh 46 Reputation points

2026-11-02T19:33:34.8+00:00

It is coming back that the best driver is already installed.
Ronald Sabiiti 1,585 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-03T09:55:04.85+00:00

Windows may report that the best driver is already installed, even if the current driver is not retaining the duplex setting.

Please try the following:

Open Printer Properties → Advanced.

Check the driver currently selected.

If it is not the HP LaserJet P2055 PCL 64-bit driver, select the correct HP driver if available.

Click Apply and restart the computer.

Check whether the Duplex Unit setting remains Installed.

If the issue persists, please let me know the exact driver name currently displayed under Printer Properties → Advanced → Driver.

Thank you.
CG Stroh 46 Reputation points

2026-11-03T12:51:45.7933333+00:00

My present driver is HP LaserJet P205X series PCL6 Class Drive. The drives listed on the PC for conversion are the one installed and HP LaserJet P2050 series PCL6. The drive listed on the HP website is listed as HP Universal Print Drive (64 bit) and after download is not listed under the options of my PC so I am not sure where the download put the file.

6 answers

Ronald Sabiiti 1,585 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-03T13:06:44.3533333+00:00
Hello CG Stroh,

Thank you for providing those details.

Your current driver is the HP LaserJet P205X Series PCL6 Class Driver. Before installing another driver, I suggest trying the HP LaserJet P2050 Series PCL6 driver already listed on your computer.

If you want to use the HP Universal Print Driver instead, please follow these steps:
1. Open File Explorer and go to Downloads.
Look for the downloaded HP Universal Print Driver file.

Double-click it and follow the prompts to extract the files.

During driver installation, select the HP Universal Printing PCL 6 driver.

If you cannot locate the downloaded file, check your browser's download history.

After installation, set Duplex Unit to Installed and check whether the setting remains.

For reference: Microsoft – Download and install printer drivers.

Please let me know whether the HP P2050 Series PCL6 driver resolves the issue.

Thank you for your patience.
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CG Stroh 46 Reputation points

2026-11-03T13:45:34.1733333+00:00

Converted to the Hp LaserJet P2050 PCL6 and computer still changes back to "not installed". Have just noted that when computer goes into sleep mode, the duplex printing reverts back to "not installed".

CG Stroh 46 Reputation points

2026-11-03T15:14:56.74+00:00

Found the universal file, it is in a zip folder. If I double click on the file I get a massive list. What do I need to carry over for application?

Ronald Sabiiti 1,585 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-03T17:05:17.9666667+00:00

Please follow these steps:

Right-click the downloaded ZIP file and select Extract All.

Choose a folder, such as C:\HP\UniversalDriver.

Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.

Right-click your HP printer and select Printer properties → Advanced → New Driver.

Select Have Disk → Browse.

Navigate to the extracted folder and locate the appropriate .inf file (for the PCL6 64-bit driver).

Select the INF file, follow the prompts, and complete the installation.

Note: Do not select random files from the ZIP folder. The INF file tells Windows which driver files to install.

CG Stroh 46 Reputation points

2026-11-03T17:53:01.7+00:00

The .inf files available- hppscnd.inf, hpbuio200l.inf, hpbuio200le.inf, hpcu360u.inf, hpmewi02.inf

There is also Install.exe Which do I choose? Other then finding the .inf in C:\HP\UniversalDrive, how else is the folder used?

CG Stroh 46 Reputation points

2026-11-04T10:13:43.8633333+00:00

Installation of the HP universal print driver was done by using the Install.exe file supplied with the HP universal print driver file. The both-side printing function is now retained. Thank you for your help.

Ronald Sabiiti 1,585 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-11-04T12:19:53.0633333+00:00

I'm glad the HP Universal Print Driver installation resolved the issue and that two-sided printing is now working consistently.

Thank you for sharing the solution. It may also help other users experiencing the same problem.
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How to make 2-sided printing permanent

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