Automating Network Printer Setup

ID: Q158398

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

Unattended Setup is not designed to install printers. However with little effort, you can configure your environment to install a network printer when a user logs on to a computer running Windows NT for the first time.


MORE INFORMATION

Use the following steps to configure your environment to install a network printer when a user logs on to a computer running Windows NT for the first time:

  1. Install and share the desired printer on the Windows NT server.


  2. Use System Policy Editor to create a profile:


    1. From the File menu, click New Policy.


    2. Double-click Default Computer.


    3. Open System\Run.


    4. Put a check mark in the box next to the Run option.


    5. Click the Show button.


    6. Click the Add button.


    7. Type a descriptive name for the item.


    8. Add the UNC path pointing to the Windows NT 4.0 printer share.


    9. Click OK 3 times.


    10. From the File menu, click Save and save the file to Ntconfig.pol located in the directory used for the NetLogon share.


      11. For example:

      <servername>\admin$\system32\repl\import\scripts\ntconfig.pol

      NOTE: Ntconfig.pol must exist in the NETLOGON share of all domain controllers. This may require manually copying the file to the correct location or setting up replication.

      For additional information on configuring Windows NT for directory replication, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
      Q101602 Configuring Windows NT for Replication
When a user first logs on, he or she will be prompted with the Install Printer Driver dialog box. Clicking the Yes button will set up the printer. Each subsequent time the user logs on, a properties window for the printer will open. Although this window does not present any problems, it can be eliminated by removing the item from the Run option in the Ntconfig.pol file.

The above procedures can be modified to work in environments that are not organized by a domain. This modification would require enabling manual profiles. Refer to System Policy Editor Help for more information on Manual Updates.

Additional query words: profile 


Keywords          : kbnetwork kbprint ntdomain ntprint NTSrvWkst ntutil 
Version           : winnt:4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: February 25, 1999