How does Windows deploy printers via GPO? What is GP actually doing

Alexandra McFarland 1 Reputation point
2022-06-21T15:57:00.873+00:00

What does Windows actually do when it deploys printers via GPO? What is this process and how is it being done? Can we log this process to see where it might be failing?

I've looked all over the internet for this and can't find a straight answer. There MUST be a way to troubleshoot issues with deploying printers via GPO, or a way to log this process.

For context -

Yes I know about PrintNightmare. The drivers are not the issue, the drivers are already on the computers. I confirmed this by navigating to the print server via UNC path and clicking on the printer object itself, it will install onto the target machine without the need of an admin credential, so we know that the driver is not the issue. It is actually installing the printer onto the machine that is the issue.

213493-screenshot-2022-06-21-105431.png

This GPO should install the EPSON printer onto target machines that are part of a security group, but nothing happens. I verified that the machine is receiving the policy, is part of the correct group, and is not filtering out the GPO:

213455-screenshot-2022-06-21-105744.png

As far as I know, there is no way to log this process. I'm so lost for what's going on, does anyone have any ideas?

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