Add printer to another computer via command line

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  1. Posts : 4
    Win 10 Pro
       #1

    Add printer to another computer via command line


    Is there a way for me to install a printer (shared from a print server) on a different computer.

    Currently remote in and run a script, but want to know if it was possible via CMD or PS


    Windows 10 Pro
    20H2
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       #2

    You don't want to do that as Microsoft has broken printer sharing.

    Possible printer issue with KB5005565 see this thread for details. Start at the end as it's long from 2+ months ago.

    The recent KB have broken the ability for a client to print through a print server - if that's what you want to do.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,800
    Windows 7 Pro
       #3

    Hi,

    You can try to invoke PrintUI directly

    Code:
    rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry \[options\]
    
    For example to add a HP DeskJet 970Cxi on LPT1: on Windows 2000 use the following:
    
       D:\>rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b "HP DeskJet 970Cxi" /f
       %windir%\inf\ntprint.inf /r "lpt1:" /m "HP DeskJet 970Cxi"
    
    Other options are:
    
       /a\[file\] binary file name
       /b\[name\] base printer name
       /c\[name\] unc machine name if the action is on a remote machine
       /dl delete local printer
       /dn delete network printer connection
       /dd delete printer driver
       /e display printing preferences
       /f\[file\] either inf file or output file
       /ga add per machine printer connections
       /ge enum per machine printer connections
       /gd delete per machine printer connections
       /h\[arch\] driver architecture one of the following, Alpha | Intel | Mips | PowerPC
       /ia install printer driver using inf file
       /id install printer driver using add printer driver wizard
       /if install printer using inf file
       /ii install printer using add printer wizard with an inf file
       /il install printer using add printer wizard
       /in add network printer connection
       /j\[provider\] print provider name
       /k print test page to specified printer, cannot be combined with command when installing a printer
       /l\[path\] printer driver source path
       /m\[model\] printer driver model name
       /n\[name\] printer name
       /o display printer queue view
       /p display printer properties
       /q quiet mode, do not display error messages>
       /r\[port\] port name
       /s display server properties
       /Ss Store printer settings into a file
       /Sr Restore printer settings from a file
    
    Store or restore printer settings option flags that must be placed at the end of command:
    
    	2	PRINTER_INFO_2
    	7	PRINTER_INFO_7
    	c	Color Profile
    	d	PrinterData
    	s	Security descriptor
    	g	Global DevMode
    	m	Minimal settings>
    	u	User DevMode
    	r	Resolve name conflicts>
    	f	Force name
    	p	Resolve port
    
       /u        use the existing printer driver if it's already installed
       /t        \[#\] zero based index page to start on
       /v        \[version\] driver version one of the following, 
                    Windows 95 or 98 | Windows NT 3.1 | Windows NT 3.5 or 3.51 | 
                    Windows NT 3.51 | Windows NT 4.0 | Windows NT 4.0 or 2000 | Windows 2000
       /w        prompt the user for a driver if specified driver is not found in the inf
       /y        set printer as the default
       /Xg       get printer settings
       /Xs       set printer settings
       /z        do not auto share this printer
       /Z        share this printer, can only be used with the /if option
       /?        help this message
       @\[file\]   command line argument file
    
    Examples:
    
    Run server properties: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /s /t1 /n\\machine
    
    Run printer properties: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /p /n\\machine\printer
    
    Run add printer wizard localy: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /il 
    
    Run add printer wizard on \\machine: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /il /c\\machine
    
    Run queue view: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /o /n\\machine\printer
    
    Run inf install: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /if /b "Test Printer" /f %windir%\inf\ntprint.inf /r "lpt1:" /m "AGFA-AccuSet v52.3"
    
    Run add printer wizard using inf: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ii /f %windir%\inf\ntprint.inf
    
    Add per machine printer connection: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ga /c\\machine /n\\machine\printer /j"LanMan Print Services"
    
    Delete per machine printer connection: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /gd /c\\machine /n\\machine\printer
    
    Enumerate per machine printer connections: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ge /c\\machine
    
    Add printer driver using inf: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ia /c\\machine /m "AGFA-AccuSet v52.3" /h "Intel" /v "Windows 2000" /f %windir%\inf\ntprint.inf
    
    Remove printer driver: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /dd /c\\machine /m "AGFA-AccuSet v52.3" /h "Intel" /v "Windows 2000"
    
    Set printer as default: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /y /n "printer"
    
    Set printer comment: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Xs /n "printer" comment "My Cool Printer"
    
    Get printer settings: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Xg /n "printer"
    
    Get printer settings saving results in a file: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /f "results.txt" /Xg /n "printer"
    
    Set printer settings command usage:
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Xs /n "printer" ?
    
    Store all printer settings into a file: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Ss /n "printer" /a "file.dat"
    
    Restore all printer settings from a file: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUI /Sr /n "printer" /a "file.dat"
    
    Store printer information on level 2 into a file : 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Ss /n "printer" /a "file.dat" 2
    
    Restore from a file printer security descriptor: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Sr /n "printer" /a "file.dat" s
    
    Restore from a file printer global devmode and printer data: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Sr /n "printer" /a "file.dat" g d
    
    Restore from a file minimum settings and resolve port name: 
    
       rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /Sr /n "printer" /a "file.dat" m p
    
    Also see Knowledge Base article Q189105 (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q189/1/05.ASP)
    
    Another option is to use the START command:
    
       start \\print_server\print_name
    
    The first time the system asks if you want to install the new printer to your system. No wizards and no questions to answer. The driver is directly downloaded from the printer server.
    Sorry I didn't read your post correctly "This should run on the local machine and wont work on a remote station" If you need to do this, I would use GPO to deploy the printers instead.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #4

    I've been buying network attached printers for years now (currently have a Samsung ML-2850 and a Dell 2155cn AIO, each with an RJ-45 GbE port). Just plug them into a nearby switch, and let the network handle the printer traffic. No need for sharing them then, either. HTH,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 4
    Win 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    @steve108: We are aware, but we need to print
    @MaloK: I have been trying to do that but it doesn't seem to be working and I cannot figure out why. I have used
    Code:
    rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n [Printer] /c [COMPUTERNAME]
    but it only works for my local system.
    @EdTittel: We print way too much for those to be a viable. We have 8 big MFP, and thinking about getting 2 more.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       #6

    Look at the bleepingcomputer.com forum thread in the other thread I posted for workarounds.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #7

    @DarkRookie1: I was only mentioning my printers by way of example. I understand your monthly duty cycles will dictate the kind of printers you will buy. That said, nearly all new ones come with Wi-Fi and/or GbE ports nowadays. It's simply easier to directly attach them to the network. If necessary, you can set up a dedicated printer server to run them and handle spooling, special processing, and so forth. For high volume stuff, I'd certainly want to use Cat6 or better cables, and use wired Ethernet for printer communications.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 2,800
    Windows 7 Pro
       #8

    Are you using a printer Pool ?

    if not With an increasing number of printers your Server is likely to become a bottle neck.

    Install all printers as Local TCP Printers ports and let the local spoolers do all the work.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 13,904
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #9

    I'm with @edittel on this, have an HP OfficeJet Pro and an HP LaserJet Pro connected via Ethernet cable to my Wireless Router, can print from any computer with at least basic drivers. Nice part is no one computer has to be running and the print spooler issue doesn't seem to affect the process.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 4
    Win 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #10

    @steve108: Maybe those have been applied. I am not sure that is above my pay grade. I am the help desk person. Not sure how the sysadmin has everything setup. I do know that I have to the printer installs since they now require admin rights.
    @EdTittel and MaloK: Maybe it is setup that way. I am not sure. I was just told how to do it and been doing the same ever since.

    If I have to keep doing what I am doing. It is no big deal. I was trying to find a way to be lazier.
      My Computer


 

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