How do I allow the installation of kernel-mode printer drivers?

John Savill

August 27, 2007

1 Min Read
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A. I recently had trouble using Microsoft’s Printer Migrator tool to import printer drivers: I received an error related to kernel-mode printer drivers. To enable kernel-mode printer drivers, perform the following steps:

1. Open the local Group Policy Object (GPO). To perform this configuration for multiple machines, you can also use a normal AD-based GPO. Select Start, Run, and type gpedit.msc, which will open the local policy by default.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Printers.
3. Double-click "Disallow installation of printers using kernel-mode drivers," set to Disabled, and click OK.
4. Close the Group Policy Editor.

Depending on where the policy is set, you might need to run Gpupdate to force a read of all GPOs.

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