How to install Windows 7 in-box printer drivers on Windows Server 2003

Print server administrators may want to have the increased stability that is offered by the in-box printer drivers that are included with Windows 7.

The following methods will load a driver that is included with Windows 7 on a Windows Server 2003-based computer. These methods require an account that has administrative credentials.

Method 1:  Use the Print Management Console (PMC)

On a Windows 7 32-bit client computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then open Print Management.
2. Right-click Print Servers, and then click Add/Remove Servers.
3. Type the UNC name of the Windows Server 2003 print server.
4. Click Add to List, and then click OK.
   Note It may take several minutes before data on the remote system is available.
5. Expand Print Servers.
6. Expand the computer name of the Windows Server 2003 print server.
7. Right-click Drivers, click Add Driver, and then click Next.
8. Click to select the check box for "x86" processor architecture, and then click Next.
9. Select an in-box driver from the list, and then click Next.
10. Click Finish to complete the wizard.

Note From a Windows 7 64-bit client computer, repeat these steps when drivers are needed for Windows Server 2003-based x64 clients. However, in step 8, click to select the check box for "x64" processor architecture.

Method 2: Use Point and Print

On a Windows 7 32-bit client computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then open Print Management.
2. Expand Print Servers.
3. Expand the computer name.
4. Right-click Printers, and then click Add Printer.
5. Click Add a new printer using an existing port.
6. Use LPT1 as the printer port, and then click Next.
7. Click Install a new driver, and then click Next.
8. Select an in-box driver from the list, and then click Next.
9. Click to select the Share this printer check box, and then click Next two times.
10. Click Finish to complete the wizard.

On a Windows Server 2003 32-bit computer, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to \\<Windows7MachineName>.
2. Right-click the printer that you shared in step 9 in the previous procedure, and then click Connect.
3. Click Yes when you are prompted to install the driver.
4. Close the print queue after the driver is installed.
5. Click Start, and then open Printers and Faxes.
6. Right-click the local print queue that you want to switch to use the Windows 7 in-box driver, and then click Properties.
7. On the Advanced tab, use the Driver drop-down box to select the Windows 7 in-box driver, and then click OK.
8. Delete the network printer that points to the Windows 7 computer.

If drivers are needed for x64 clients, from a Windows 7 64-bit computer, also follow these steps:

1. From a Windows 7 64-bit computer, navigate to \\<WindowsServer2003Name>.
2. Click the View Remote Printers button.
3. Right-click the print queue, and then click Properties.
4. On the Sharing tab, click the Additional Drivers button.
5. Click to select the "x64" processor architecture check box, and then click OK.
6. Close the print queue properties.