Developing Printer Device Drivers for Microsoft Windows

 Last reviewed: October 21, 1997
Article ID: Q86032
3.10 WINDOWS kbprg

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Device Driver Kit (DDK) for Windows version 3.1

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Windows Universal Printer Driver has been developed to simplify the process of developing printer drivers for Windows 3.1. The Universal Printer Driver supports most dot-matrix printers, the Hewlett- Packard (HP) LaserJet family of laser printers and LaserJet-compatible laser printers.

MORE INFORMATION

The UNITOOL, which creates printer drivers based on the Universal Printer Driver, is provided with version 3.1 of the Microsoft Windows Device Driver Kit (DDK). UNITOOL is an application developed for the Windows environment that accepts user input and creates data tables that contain information on printer operation, printer commands, font metrics, and so on. In the vast majority of cases, no coding is required to create a printer driver that uses the Universal Printer Driver architecture.

If you create a Windows-compatible printer driver and want to make the driver part of the Microsoft Windows Driver Library (WDL), please contact: 

   Microsoft Compatibility Labs
   BP/7145
   One Microsoft Way
   Redmond, WA  98052-6399
   Fax: (425) 93MSFAX
   Phone: (425) 635-4949
Microsoft tests all submitted drivers to ensure that each one meets quality standards; however, there is a fee to cover the cost of this testing.

Microsoft also develops printer drivers based on the Universal Printer Driver technology on a contract basis. For more information, please contact the Microsoft Compatibility Labs.

Additional reference words: 3.10 DDKPRINT
KBCategory: kbprg
KBSubcategory: D2PrnUnitool

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Last reviewed: October 21, 1997
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