Win 10 network printer default name setting

Question

According to everything I can find regarding this topic, Win 10 assigns a default name to a printer (network printer) based on make, model etc. when adding a new printer to the list of installed printers. Even if the network printer has a unique name set up via the web interface, (Brother MFC series) as soon as you add the printer that has its unique name visible under 'list of available printers' in the Win 10 printer and scanner settings, the name gets changed back to its default 'Brother MFC xxxxx Printer'

This is a particular headache for an organization that has 10+ PCs and several different printers in different office locations on the network. You go to all the trouble of setting up each network printer as a stand alone unique unit on the network with their own names. When you go to each PC to add the relevant printer, you can find it no worries because you can see its unique name, then windows renames it to a default name, which you then have to rename in each PC to be able to tell the difference again.

Is there any way to prevent Windows from changing the network printer name upon installation so that the name remains as set in the printer settings?

Answer 1

Thanks Greg.

Correct, I do the same thing. Full software and driver packages are installed.

I have posted the same question in the first link you provided to the Microsoft forum.

Answer 2

Kye -

I always install printers using their full software package, which lasts longer and gives them the needed functions like scanning from printer top that apps don't do well. I've never seen any need for giving or changing the printer name before, so I'm guessing it is more a deployment matter with your organization.

Again, we have to avoid handling these cases because Group Policy will conflict with any fixes we give and even cause issues. But if you'll post at the three IT Pro forums tonight you'll have good answers in most cases by morning.

Answer 3

Thanks Greg,

I am the network administrator.

This problem is no different to my home network where I have one network printer which has a uniquely assigned name (Home Printer) and 3 PCs/laptops that I need to rename the printer name every time I add the printer to another PC.

Answer 4

probles white me mouse

Answer 5

Hi Kye. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

Please ask organization or server questions to your System Administrator or at our sister forums for IT Professionals, Q&A forums here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/answers/index.... ?

Microsoft Community is strictly an end-consumer forum. Solutions we give here may conflict with the organization''s Group Policy which we do not use in consumer forums at all.

There are also equally good (and sometimes busier) 3rd party IT Pro forums here:

https://www.techrepublic.com/forums/

https://www.spiceworks.com/

I hope it helps.

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