Deploying printers using script

Owned by Michael MacDonald
Last updated: Oct 05, 2012Version comment

Deploying printers using command line or script

If your copiers are setup on a print server with a print queue then the installation can be scripted and deployed via LANDesk, login script or GPO start-up script using the printui.dll utility

Printui.dll is the executable file that contains the functions used by the printer configuration dialog boxes. These functions can also be called from within a script or a command-line batch file, or they can be run interactively from the command prompt. 

Alternatively, if your group policy is setup to allow installing print drivers from a print server you can simply email the user the link to the print queue or place a shortcut to the printer on a network share to allow the user to self-install themselves.

Examples

  • rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /q /n\\tftmvmtccs1\tab209bizhub363
    • /in switch will map the printer per user only.  Can be used if computer only has one user
  • rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ga /n\\tftmvmtccs1\TAB147bizhub363
    • /ga switch will map the printer per computer and make it available for all users.
    • If deploying via script, you may need restart the print spooler before printer will appear

start /wait net stop spooler
start /wait net start spooler

Information on the Tufts IT Knowledgebase is intended for IT Professionals at Tufts.
If you have a question about a Tufts IT service or computer/account support, please contact your IT support group.