Print and Document Services

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

In Windows Server 2008, the Print Services role in Server Manager enables you to share printers on a network, as well as to centralize print server and network printer management tasks. It also enables you to migrate print servers and deploy printer connections using Group Policy.

In Windows Server 2008 R2, this role has been updated with a new feature called Distributed Scan Server. The new role, Print and Document Services, enables you to share printers and scanners on a network, set up print servers and scan servers, and centralize network print and scan management tasks. You can do these tasks using the Print Management and Scan Management Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-ins.

Product Evaluation

  • Print Services Role

    Learn about the Print Services role that enables you to share printers on a network and centralize print server and network printer management tasks.

  • What's New in Print Management

    Learn about the new functionality and enhancements to Windows printing and scanning services introduced with Windows Server 2008 R2.

Planning and Architecture

Getting Started and Deployment

  • Print, Scan, and Fax Server Installation Guide (New!)

    Learn how to install and configure Print Server, Distributed Scan Server, and Fax Server on a single computer running Windows Server 2008 R2.

  • Print Management Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to use Print Management to install, view, and manage all of the printers and Windows print servers in your organization

  • Print Services Migration Guide

    Learn how to migrate a print server running Windows Server® 2003 or Windows Server 2008 operating systems to a server running the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system with the Print and Document Services role installed.

  • Assigning Delegated Print Administrator and Printer Permission Settings in Windows Server 2008 R2

    Learn how to delegate print management tasks directly to users who are not system administrators and define default printer security settings that are inherited when you add new printers to your print server.

  • Print Services Help (Windows Server 2008)

    See the topics that are installed with server roles, services, and technologies associated with Print Server in Windows Server 2008.

  • Print and Document Services Help (Windows Server 2008 R2)

    See the topics that are installed with server roles, services, and technologies associated with Print Server and Distributed Scan Server in Windows Server 2008 R2.

Command-line Tools

Troubleshooting

Review solutions for events and errors.

  • Print Infrastructure (Windows Server 2008)

    See the hierarchy of managed entities for the Windows Server 2008 printing infrastructure.

  • Print Infrastructure (Windows Server 2008 R2)

    See the hierarchy of managed entities for the Windows Server 2008 R2 printing infrastructure.