Using a local printer with Remote Desktop #

Setup remote printing over RDP:

1. Install printer driver on remote machine
Unless the remote machine already has a driver for the local printer, you will need to install it:
Windows XP: Printers and Faxes > File > Server Properties > Drivers > Add
Windows 7: Administrative Tools > Print Management > Print Servers > computer name (local) > right click Drivers > Add Driver...
Once the driver has been added, log off the remote machine

2. Enable printer access in client PC's Remote Desktop Connection
Remote Desktop Connection > Options > Local Resources > check "Printers" under Local Devices > Connect. The local printer becomes the default for programs running on the remote desktop.

3. Notes

Successfully tested the above instructions with the following setup: OpenVPN tunnel from home to remote office, Windows 7 32-bit running on remote office computer with RDP enabled, Windows Vista 32-bit running on home laptop connected via USB to a Dell 1235cn color laser printer.
Remote Desktop printing to network printer - RobWill breaks down the basics and also proposes a workaround for recalcitrant printers: connect the local printer to another computer at the local site, share it, and connect the Remote Desktop client machine to the shared printer.
Finding Printer Server Properties In Windows 7 - Where did "File > Server Properties" go?
Using Your Local Printers While Using A Remote Desktop Connection - Does not address the need to install necessary printer drivers on the remote machine.
How To Make a Local Printer Available During a Connection to a Remote Desktop in Windows XP Professional - This article also fails to address the printer driver issue.
Printers that use ports that do not begin with COM, LPT, or USB are not redirected in a remote desktop or a terminal services session - Fix for printer ports like DOT4, etc.

/windows | Feb 10, 2010

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