When you connect to a print server and double click on a network printer to create a mapped queue on a Windows 7 and Windows Vista client machine, the following phenomenon happens:
A registry entry for respective printer connection is created under:
HKCU\Printers\Connections\<,,print_server,printer_name> with a REG_SZ value GuidPrinter={GUID}
Take a note of this {GUID} and traverse through following registry location:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider\Servers\<print_server>\Monitors\Client Side Port
Look for noted {GUID} with a REG_SZ value
PrinterPath=\Users\<User_SID>\Printers\^\^\<print_server>^\<printer_name>
where <User_SID> is the SID of the user who installed the printer <printer_name>
When we use Sysprep with -audit and -oobe parameters, it restarts the computer in Factory Mode and removes all the SID information.
As UAC is enabled, Print Spooler service checks for SID information under:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider\Servers\<print_server>\Monitors\Client Side Port
If it does not find it healthy or matching with current user SID, it will make the mapped printer inaccessible to the current user.
Hence, it is recommended to use the -audit -oobe parameters only when computer is already in Factory Mode.
