How to Load Printer Drivers from Trusted Source Only

ID: Q239536

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4, Terminal Server Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

In Windows NT you can install printer drivers from a trusted share, rather than from the remote print server to which your print service is connected.


MORE INFORMATION

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).

To install printer drivers from a trusted source:

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).


  2. Locate the following registry key:


    3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers\LanMan Print Services\Servers
  3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following value:


    4. Value Name: LoadTrustedDrivers
    Data Type: REG_DWORD
    Value: 1

    A value of 1 indicates that drivers can be installed only from the trusted print server shares specified by the TrustedDriverPath value.
  4. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following value:


    5. Value Name: TrustedDriverPath
    Data Type: REG_SZ = \\servername\sharename
    where servername is the name of the appropriate server and sharename is the name of the appropriate share.

    This value specifies the path to trusted print server shares from which you can install printer drivers. If the LoadTrustedDrivers value is 1, you can only install drivers from the server shares located in the path specified in the value of this entry.

  5. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.


To obtain a set of trusted files, you must install a driver on a computer one time. If you install printer drivers for a Windows NT 4.0 Intel system, the following structure exists:
%SystemRoot%\System32\Spool\Drivers\W32x86\2
You must copy the files from this folder into the \2 subfolder of the trusted driver share. For example, if the share is located in the C:\Tmp folder and the share name is "ins," the structure is C:\Tmp\2 and you must type the following path into the registry:
\\computername\ins

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv
Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: September 20, 1999
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