Wrong printer names when pushed by AD to clients.

Thorsten Schöning 81 Reputation points
2021-04-14T09:32:38.417+00:00

I have a Windows Server 2019 configured to be AD, some Windows 10 clients and the server pushes multiple printers using GPO/GPP to the clients. This in itself seems to work, but there's a problem with the shown names in classical printer and devices dialog of control panel on the clients. The important thing is that I have multiple of the same printer models in different places and EACH of that models is available as multiple printer devices on the server, because those are pre-configured to print differently. The actual model is a HP LaserJetPro MFP M426-M427. That exists at "place1" and "place2". So the following printers exist at the server: 

place1 setting1
place1 setting2
place2 setting1
place2 setting2

Though, control panel on the client shows one and the same icon named "HP LaserJetPro MFP M426-M427" multiple times instead of the concrete names the printers and their shares have. OTOH, when looking into the printer settings of each of those client side printers, even though they have the same name, they are all properly associated with DISTINCT server side printers in e.g. the tab for connections.

Additionally, when actually printing in apps, their printer list seems to use proper names as well. Though, what is shown depends on the actual app. Adobe Reader e.g. provides a list like the following: 

\\ad-name\printer1 setting1
\\ad-name\printer1 setting2
\\ad-name\printer2 setting1
\\ad-name\printer2 setting2

MS Word provides the following list instead: 

printer1 setting1 at ad-name
printer1 setting2 at ad-name
printer2 setting1 at ad-name
printer2 setting2 at ad-name

So, the most important thing is that the individual apps seem to work this. Though, when debugging printer problems or even printing a test sheet, having multiple of the same names in the control panel at the clients makes things unnecessary difficult.

Is there something I need to configure in the GPO/GPP to use a special name? I would have expected Windows to behave like when installing printers manually on clients, that e.g. the name of the share is used by default. But doesn't seem to be the case for me.

Thanks!

Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
3,449 questions
Windows
Windows
A family of Microsoft operating systems that run across personal computers, tablets, laptops, phones, internet of things devices, self-contained mixed reality headsets, large collaboration screens, and other devices.
4,735 questions
Windows 10 Network
Windows 10 Network
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Network: A group of devices that communicate either wirelessly or via a physical connection.
2,270 questions
Windows Server Printing
Windows Server Printing
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Printing: Printer centralized deployment and management, scan and fax resources management, and document services
640 questions
0 comments

5 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-16T13:20:34.63+00:00

    Hi,

    1. What printer policy do you use to deploy printers to win10 clients? Did you use the same printer policy repeatedly to deploy the same printer?
      Computer object policy
      computer Configuration\Policies\windows settings\deployed printers
      computer Configuration\preferences\control panel settings\printers
      User object policy
      user Configuration\Policies\windows settings\deployed printers
      user Configuration\preferences\control panel settings\printers
    2. Enter the following command in the command prompt of the problem client to export the group policy. We can see the file print.html in the root directory of the c drive.
      gpresult /h c:\print.html
    3. Did you use Roaming User Profiles?
    4. Has the win10 patch been installed to the latest?

    Best Regards

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-21T10:56:37.597+00:00

    Hi,

    Haven't received your message in a few days, was your issue resolved?

    I am proposing previous helpful replies as "Answered". Please feel free to try it and let me know the result. If the reply is helpful, please remember to mark it as an answer which can help other community members who have the same questions and find the helpful reply quickly.

    Best regards,

  3. Anonymous
    2021-04-23T04:44:38.01+00:00

    Let me know how it goes and you have a great day !

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    Best Regards

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-05-05T13:12:48.627+00:00

    Hi, haven't received your message a few days, was your issue resolved?

    0 comments
  5. Roland Biggerstaff 1 Reputation point
    2021-07-22T18:15:09.497+00:00

    anonymous user I'm having the same issue in my environment, Not for all users but some. We don't have roaming profiles but we have about 10 printers of the same model that each have 2 configurations (color and B&W) The printers are All HP. Is there an answer for this issue? Thanks

    0 comments