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Virtual Printer Port for USB does not exist

Anonymous
2010-09-09T12:45:49+00:00

When I go to add an existing port, the virtual printer ports do not exist. How do I get these ports activated and available?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-09-09T19:30:40+00:00

Hi matty72,

1.     Check the following setting:

a.     Click Start -> Devices and Printers.

b.     Right click on the printer -> Select Printer properties.

c.      Under the Ports tab -> Clear the Enable bidirectional support check box.

2.     You may also try adding the printer by following the below steps:

a.        Click “Start”, “Control Panel”, “Hardware and Sound”.

b.         Click “Add a printer”.

c.         Choose “Add a local printer” and click on “Create a new port”.

d.         Select “Local Port” and click “Next”.

e.        Type in "[\computer name\printer name]" (without quotation marks) for the Port Name and click “OK”.

Example: If the computer you wish to connect to is named Computer A and the printer is called Printer A then the path would be \ComputerA\ Printer A

Regards:

Samhrutha G S - Microsoft Support.

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-28T06:11:22+00:00

    I think that I am too thick to use computers! The printer ports really bug me. When I reinstall my printer it defaults to LPT1 printer port. Some printer instructions say to use the suggested printer port. However, LPT ports went out with the ark and newer printers don't even come with parallel ports. Instead we have 'virtual' USB 001, USB 002, etc printer ports. Presumably, we need to select one of these for our printer, instead of the default LPT1. Or does it?  

    How are 'virtul' ports created - do they install themselves as required?

    What happens if we select the recommended LPT1 for our printer?

    If LPT ports are becoming a rarity, couldn't you clever people at Microsoft change the default to an appropriate virtual port when we install, or reinstall, a printer? Or could you change your user's instructions to make this clear for dunces such as myself?

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-11-03T22:28:47+00:00

    Hello,

    Due to the age of this issue, it would be best to create a new thread for this.

    Doing so will avoid any confusion between your issue and that of the original poster.

    Best regards,

    Matthew_Ha

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-03-03T08:34:29+00:00

    Hi matty72,

     

    1.     Check the following setting:

    a.     Click Start -> Devices and Printers.

    b.     Right click on the printer -> Select Printer properties.

    c.      Under the Ports tab -> Clear the Enable bidirectional support check box.

     

    2.     You may also try adding the printer by following the below steps:

    a.        Click “Start”, “Control Panel”, “Hardware and Sound”.

    b.         Click “Add a printer”.

    c.         Choose “Add a local printer” and click on “Create a new port”.

    d.         Select “Local Port” and click “Next”.

    e.        Type in "[\computer name\printer name]" (without quotation marks) for the Port Name and click “OK”.

     

    Example: If the computer you wish to connect to is named Computer A and the printer is called Printer A then the path would be \ComputerA\ Printer A

     

    Regards:

    Samhrutha G S - Microsoft Support.

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    Hi,

    The problem of the mentioned method is that you need another computer turned on to share the printer.

    Is there other way to connect to that Virtual Printer Port for USB via USB directly?

    Thanks

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-09-09T13:11:06+00:00

    The OS is Windows 7 Pro, btw

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