Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers

Description

For a computer to print to a network printer, the driver for that network printer must be installed on the local computer. This security setting determines who is allowed to install a printer driver as part of adding a network printer. If this setting is enabled, only Administrators and Power Users can install a printer driver as part of adding a network printer. If this setting is disabled, any user can install a printer driver as part of adding a network printer.

Default:

  • Enabled on servers.

  • Disabled on workstations.

Configuring this security setting

You can configure this security setting by opening the appropriate policy and expanding the console tree as such: Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\

For specific instructions about how to configure security policy settings, see Edit security settings on a Group Policy object.

Notes

  • This setting does not affect the ability to add a local printer.

  • This setting does not affect Power Users or Administrators.

For more information, see: