New Printer Connectivity Options (on laptop without admin rights)

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Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#293267 10-Jan-2022 14:43

Hi all,

I have a laptop owned by my employer that I do not have admin rights for. I'd like to be able to use it to print documents at home. Is there a cheap WiFi capable printer I can buy that I can connect to without having to load 3rd party drivers onto the laptop?

Or do all printers require drivers to be loaded even if you only intend to print wirelessly?

allan

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#2846235 10-Jan-2022 16:00

I discovered recently in a similar situation that if I used the Windows 10 Settings/Devices/Printers & Scanners/Add a printer or scanner on my work laptop with no admin rights, then it could see an IPP connection to my printer and created created a very basic printer driver, seemingly without having to add a full printer device driver. Doesn't give access to all of the printer features, but it works. I had previously attempted to do this via the Control panel add a printer method, which failed.

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Oblivian

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#2846241 10-Jan-2022 16:07

If it's got a native signed W10 PnP driver supplied to MS. It'll load from the MSUpdate/store/approved by itself on detection (and try and install a helper app)

Normally only if it requires a non PnP/standard or business like PCL6 driver not submitted to MS will it deny.

That is of course unless they panic over PrintingNightmare and added the policy on you to not let ANY PnP print drivers without admin (which is what the exploit used)

But for the most part, Generic universals will load if they are there and it's newish. Or you can try the Generic PCL via IPP as above.

Andib

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#2846320 10-Jan-2022 17:19

You'll want something that uses Type 4 drivers as these don't require admin rights to install.

If your work has completely removed the Windows Store (not just disabled it using the correct method) or blocked access to Windows update from the Internet (Dual Scan) you will likely run into issues as this is now how most Vendors publish their Type 4 drivers.

allan

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#2846326 10-Jan-2022 17:40

Andib: You'll want something that uses Type 4 drivers as these don't require admin rights to install.

If your work has completely removed the Windows Store (not just disabled it using the correct method) or blocked access to Windows update from the Internet (Dual Scan) you will likely run into issues as this is now how most Vendors publish their Type 4 drivers.

Type 4 is what I ended up with. Does that typically deliver a cut-down set of features?

Andib

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#2846332 10-Jan-2022 17:55

allan:

Type 4 is what I ended up with. Does that typically deliver a cut-down set of features?

It depends... Officially no, but often yes. From experience manufactures have typically treated Type 4 drivers as something they've had to do not wanted to do and as such out as little effort into them as possible . (Microsoft enforced Vendors to start offering them with Windows 8).

Two different extremes I've come across is HP have full feature support with their type 4 drivers (including their Wide format Plotters) where as FujiXerox can't even use something as basic as the staple function if using their Type 4 driver.

coffeebaron

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#2846397 10-Jan-2022 20:00

Is it possible to simply ask the IT team to remote in and install for you? Or have you been down this path already / too hard basket?

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nztim

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#2846889 11-Jan-2022 21:54

If your computer is joined to a domain it is possible that your System Administrator or MSP has setup group policies that allow printer drivers to be installed from well known, signed, printer drivers without admin rights

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.