How can I get the system to add a default printer automatically when a new user logs on for the first time?

John Savill

February 4, 2001

1 Min Read
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A. On Windows NT, printer connections are part of a user's profile and are stored in the file ntuser.dat. Therefore, you need to include a default printer in the default user profile. Perform the following steps:

  1. Create a temporary domain user account named test.

  2. Log on at a workstation as test.

  3. Add the printer you want to be everyone's default.

  4. Log off as test.

  5. Copy the contents of folder c:winntprofilestest to a new folder on the netlogon share on the server. Call the new folder "default user."

  6. Create a new user account, and log on with it at a workstation. Check to ensure that you have the default printer.

Thanks to Paul Foster for this tip.

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