Installing Printers Remotely

**Ty909** · May 9th, 2006, 08:49 AM

Does anyone know how to install a network printer remotely? I have to switch a bunch of users from one print server to another. I basically want to delete the current network printer and add the new one on the new server. I would like to do this without interrupting the user.

Any ideas?

Thanks..

**3fingersalute** · May 9th, 2006, 08:51 AM

Are you using a domain server? If so, you can write a script to do it for you on login.

**Ty909** · May 9th, 2006, 08:56 AM

I am using a domain but I am do not have rights to modify the script (I wish I did). I do have admin rights anywhere else I am just locked out of any domain controllers.

**3fingersalute** · May 9th, 2006, 10:23 AM

If you're in charge of this, why can't you just either ask for permission to access the servers, or have the net admin throw the script on there for you?

Are you replacing a printer that's already shared? Last week I threw a new printer (totally different model) in one of our rooms to replace an old printer. I simply un-shared the old printer on the server, shared the new new one using the same share name, and everybody was then able to print to the new printer using the same share they had before, no need to visit each client machine individually.

Otherwise, I think your only choice is to install the printers manually.

**slgrieb** · May 9th, 2006, 03:00 PM

Really clever solution 3finger!

**Ty909** · May 10th, 2006, 07:50 AM

I am not replacing the printer model. I am moving the printer share to a different server. The share would change from (example):

\\server1\printer1 to \\server2\printer1

So deleting the server1 printer on the users computer and adding the new one on server2 is what I am currently doing. I am looking for an option were I can do this from my computer.

**3fingersalute** · May 10th, 2006, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Ty909

I am not replacing the printer model. I am moving the printer share to a different server. The share would change from (example):

\\server1\printer1 to \\server2\printer1

So deleting the server1 printer on the users computer and adding the new one on server2 is what I am currently doing. I am looking for an option were I can do this from my computer.

Hmmm, you have 4 choices as far as I can tell:

1. Visit each machine, install the network printer manually.
2. If you have some sort of VNC/Netmeeting software installed, login to each machine and install the network printer manually.
3. Send out a set of instructions telling each user how to removed the old printer and add the new one.
4. Have whoever handles the domain login server add a script to do it for each user automatically upon login.

Good luck!

**Ty909** · May 11th, 2006, 08:18 AM

Do you have an example script I can use? This would help get me started. Thanks.

**3fingersalute** · May 11th, 2006, 08:37 AM

here's a sample script to get you started.

**3fingersalute** · May 11th, 2006, 08:40 AM

Also, here is a good KB article that might help as well.

**JRV** · May 11th, 2006, 08:51 AM

Depending on your e-mail client, it can be pretty simple. If the e-mail client will display UNC sharenames as hyperlinks (Outlook & Outlook Express will), send them an e-mail containing...

\\server2\printer1

They can click on the link to install the printer. Tell them to close the printer window when it opens and how to delete the old one.