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Default NT Printer Share

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9 replies

by jkeav634

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I have attached a printer to a NT 4.0 workstation and created a share with everyone having full control. I will then log into another workstation as admin, install the printer from the share and everything is ok. The question is: When I log into this same worksation under another username, I have to reinstall the printer. I would like to be able to log in as admin, install the printer, and everyone that uses this computer has the printer installed.

9 replies

by flan

that's the joy of nt. the shared printer is a network resource. it assumes that different people has different access to it. so i log in as bob why should i be able to access the same stuff as admin? so the answer is no

by jerry_a

One option is to create a printer.cmd file;

net use lpt2: /d
net use lpt2: \\printserver\printer

Then create a shortcut to the C:\winnt\profiles\all users\start menu\programs\startup.

By doing this way, the printer is treated as a local printer and all users can print to it.

by james.pounds

You can do this by editing the NTuser.dat and by modifying the registry. The TechNET article "Article ID: Q252388" describes "How to Add a Default Printer for All New Users" for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation / server. I suspect that a Perl script could be produced to make this an easily repeatable exercise.

by dbowlin

Install the printer as a local printer and it will be available to all users of the machine.

To install a remote printer as a local. Start the add printer wizard, and choose network printer server. On the next screen browse to and highlight thedesired printer, but DO NOT CLICK OK, instead copy the UNC path out of the Printer window at the top of the screen, it will read something like //computer_name/printer_name, now click cancel. The above steps are not necessary if you know the UNC path to the desired printer. Now you should be back to the first screen of the add printer dialog, select my computer. On the next screen click ADD PORT. Then select Local Port and click NEW PORT. In the new port dialog paste, or type in the UNC path to the printer. Close your way back out to the port selection dialog, and then continue to install your printer normally. When you are finished you will have a remote printer persistently mapped to a local port. Since it is now on a local port,the resource is considered local by NT, and is thus available to all users.

Good luck.

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