how to add more printing options under advanced settings

Install the printer manufacturer’s compatible driver if the printer supports color and automatic duplex, because Windows cannot add those options when the installed driver does not expose them.

1. Check the full printer preferences

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Select Devices and Printers.
   • On Windows 11, this may open through Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your printer → More devices and printer settings.
3. Right-click the physical printer—not Microsoft Print to PDF—and select Printing preferences.
4. Look for settings named:
   • Color, Color mode, or Grayscale
   • Duplex, Two-sided, or Print on both sides
5. Enable the required options and select Apply.

Duplex defaults should be configured through Printing Preferences, where the driver manages the setting.^1^

If both settings are absent, continue below rather than looking for a registry value. Color and duplex are optional capabilities supplied by the printer driver; if the driver does not declare them, Windows presents monochrome and single-sided printing.^2^

2. Install the correct printer driver

First confirm that the exact printer model physically supports color and automatic two-sided printing. Some printers support only manual duplex.

1. Open Settings → System → About and note the Windows version and system type.
2. Download the current driver or complete printer software package for that exact model from the printer manufacturer’s support site.
3. Install it and restart the PC.
4. Return to Printing preferences and check for the color and duplex controls.

Microsoft notes that missing printer settings can result from a printer or driver problem and recommends updating the driver from the manufacturer.^3^

If installation over the existing driver does not restore the options:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
2. Select the printer and choose Remove.
3. Restart the PC.
4. Install the manufacturer’s driver package.
5. Return to Printers & scanners → Add device and add the printer.
6. Print a test page and verify that Color and Print on both sides now appear.

Windows also documents removal, reinstallation, driver selection, and test-page verification as the repair path.^4^

Managed or network printer

If this is a company-managed printer and driver installation is blocked, contact the print-server or endpoint administrator. Ask them to verify that:

• The queue uses the correct model-specific driver.
• Color and duplex are enabled in the printer/queue configuration.
• The printer’s installed duplex unit is declared in the driver’s device settings.

If the printer is delivered through Universal Print, have the administrator check that the printer is registered as color-capable and that its mapped driver is not defaulting to monochrome.^5^

If the manufacturer confirms that the model lacks color or automatic duplex hardware, those choices cannot be added through Windows Advanced settings.

References

1. Printing preferences values - Microsoft Q&A
2. Standard features
3. My Print button and some printer settings aren't available | Microsoft Support
4. [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/printer/fix-printer-connection-and-printing-problems-in-windows)
5. moved to universal print, now cannot print in color - Microsoft Q&A