Managing Printers and Copiers

Overview

Printers can be configured a number of way depending on the situation. Printers can be plugged in locally via USB, set up as local printers with TCPIP network ports, or added to a print server. How the printer is configured affects how it can be added, removed, and managed.

Many of the large departments use a print server because it generally provides the most control and better management options. The instructions below are intended for deploying printers from a print server although in most cases the process would be similar for local printers with network ports.

Removing Printers

Adding Printers

• Bat script / Landesk package
  There are many command line tools that can be used to install printers and print drivers. There are many helpful articles on these methods available online. This method can be difficult to use since Windows XP and Windows 7 require separate commands and syntax. Some good starting resources are available below:
  • http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee624057(v=ws.10).aspx
  • http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ntcmds_new_tools.mspx?mfr=true

• landesk desktop manager

• Group Policy (GPOs)
  Group Policy provides a simple way to deploy printers to domained computers but there are a few downsides. Printers deployed this way cannot be deleted and are installed on all computers within the target OUs. Instructions are available below:
  • http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754699.aspx

• Group Policy Preferences
  GPPs (group policy preferences) works similar to GPOs mentioned above but is more configurable and easier to target. GPPs work natively with Windows 7 but require a client side extension (available via WSUS) for Windows XP. With GPPs, a printer can be set to only install once, only install on specific computers, etc. Additional information is available below
  • http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731892.aspx
• user installed via shortcut

Allowing users to install printers