Deploying Printers with Group Policy Preferences

KB ID 0000492

Problem

I’ve touched on this briefly in KB0000389, I suggest you read through that first so you understand what the requirements are to deploy a GPP instead of the GPO’s you are probably used to.

Solution

1. First thing to do is install the printer that needs deploying on a print server. Make sure if your clients are NOT x64 bit that you also add the x86 drivers for your clients to use.

How to tell if a machine is x86 (32 bit) or x64 (64 bit).

additionl printer drivers

2. The following is a “Gotcha” (especially on HP printers), on the Printer Properties page, General tab > Select “Print Processor” > Ensure it’s set to winprint and RAW.

print processor problem

3. On a domain controller, Start > administrative tools > Group Policy Editor > Either edit an existing policy or create a new one (Remember its a computer policy you need to link it to something with computers in it, if you link it to a users OU nothing will happen).

create group policy

4. Give the policy a sensible name.

deploy printers with gpo

5. Edit the policy you have just created.

edit gorup policy

6. Navigate to > Computer Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Printers > In the right hand window, right click > New > TCP/IP Printer.

deploy tcp printer

7. Select Create > I prefer to use the IP address of the printer but you can use the DNS name if you wish > The Local Name is what the client will see > Enter the Path to the printer (In UNC format) > You can also enter a location and comment if you wish > Apply > OK.

New TCP printer via policy

8. All being well you should see the printer listed.

create printer with GPP

9. Now for another “Gotcha” in the same policy navigate to > Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Printers > Locate the “Point and Print Restrictions” policy.

point and print restrictions

10. Change the settings for this policy so that it is disabled.

disable point and print

12. Close the Policy editor, then either reboot the clients, wait a couple of hours, or manually run “gpupdate /force” on them.

 

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Server 2008 Group Policy Preferences and Client Side Extensions

Author: Migrated

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