With Windows Vista, can users without administrative credentials on their computer install printer drivers?
October 17, 2007
A. Vista does allow non-administrators to install any type of device-class driver, but this functionality must be enabled on a per-device-class basis via Group Policy. Launch Group Policy Editor (GPE) on a Vista or Windows Server 2008 server and create or edit a Group Policy Object (GPO) that's linked to a domain or OU containing the computers that will allow non-administrators permission to install printer drivers. Navigate to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Driver Installation in the GPO. Double-click "Allow non-administrators to install drivers for these device setup classes," and set the policy to Enabled. Click the Show button to enter the device classes. Click Add and enter a value of {4d36e979-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318} and click OK. Click OK to all dialog boxes, then close GPE. After the user refreshes the policy, he or she will be able to install signed printer drivers. You can use the same technique for other types of drivers. You'll find a list at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms791134.aspx
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