HOWTO: Set a User's Default Local Printer with a Logon Script

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

SUMMARY

When a user connects to a Terminal Server computer in a client session, he or she may be locked down to only one application. If this application does not allow for selecting the default printer, the user will not be able to specify a printer other than the default. To make it possible for all users to specify the printer closest to them, the default printer must be set using a regini script.

NOTE: Regini.exe is available in the Windows NT Resource Kit.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

1. In Terminal Server, run Regedt32 and go to the following key:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/WindowsNT/Currentversion/Devices

   Here you will see a list of your existing printers. An example of one of the key values may look like this:

   HP LaserJet 5Si : REG_SZ: winspool,Ne00

   NOTE: This is a local printer, NOT a network printer.
   
   The first text string is the text name of the printer, and the last two numbers in Ne00 will be the order in which the printer was added to the server for a TCP/IP printer. It could be, for example, LPT1: for a direct connected printer. Take note of all the printers listed here. These printer would have had to been installed by a local administrator.



2. Create a text file and name it SomeFileName.ini. One of theses files will be needed for each printer you need to assign as default. The file should look like this:

   
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
         Device = DELETE
   
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Printers
         DeviceOld = DELETE
   
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
         Device = "[text name of printer],winspool,Nexx:"
   
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Printers
         DeviceOld = "[text name of printer],winspool,Nexx:" 

   NOTE: Do not forget the colon (:).
   
   NOTE: xx is the Ne number for the specific printer you would like to use with this file.



3. After all your files have been created for each printer, you must add the following line to the logon script of each user:

   regini [path]\SomeFileName.ini > Nul:

MORE INFORMATION

By default, only printers that are attached to a local port on the server will be pushed to all users logging on to the Terminal Server computer. This includes printers connected through TCP/IP printing.

Additional query words:

Keywords :
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo