Printer deployed through Group Policy > Computer Configuration

Question

Hello,

I have deployed printer via group policy,
Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Deployed Printers.
We have multiple OUs with Multiple Printer.

Mistakenly, one of the GPO was linked to the main domain controller and all of our machine is getting the printer.
I have deleted the printer from GPO but the printer is not removed from the computers.
Also, I have unlinked the GPO but still the printer is not removed.

Also another issue I am having, when the computer is one OU and is getting deployed printers, when that computer is moved to different OU where no GPO is applied to deploy the printer.
Printer from previous GPO is still showing and is not deleted. On GPReport it is showing under Printer Connections but on applied GPO there is no such GPO for the printer connection.

Any suggestion would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

If they are sticky and won't remove with policy, two ways...

You can add the Print Server role to the DC and then remove from Print Management.

or

Remove them manually from these keys. (always backup before editing registry)

HKEY_USERS\USERSID\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PushedConnections

HKEY_USERS\USERSID\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PushedPrinterConnectionStore

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider\Servers\SERVERNAME\Printers

Then restart your print spooler.

Answer 2

Hi Prabin Bhusal,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community Forums.

When you remove printer deployment settings from a Group Policy Object (GPO) or unlink a GPO, deployed printers are usually not immediately removed from the computer. This is because there is a refresh cycle for the application of Group Policy, and policy settings that have been applied, such as printer deployment, remain on the client computer until they are overwritten by a new policy refresh.

You can try the following methods.

You can manually remove the printer. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click on the printer you want to delete, and select Delete Device.

On client computers, you can use the gpupdate /force command to force the immediate application of Group Policy. Note, however, that even then, deployed printers may not be deleted immediately, as this only refreshes the policy settings, rather than deleting existing printers directly.

Make sure that no other GPOs are deploying the same printers to these computers. If there are, you may need to update or delete the settings in those GPOs.

Best regards

Neuvi Jiang