The Printbrm.exe command-line tool restores printers that are associated with USB ports as FILE ports on computers that are running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

Consider the following scenario:

1. You install a non-Standard Port Monitor (SPM) or non-Line Printer Resource (LPR) printer with a universal serial bus (USB) port.
2. You use the Printbrm.exe command-line tool to export the printer settings.
3. You import the printer settings to another computer.

In this scenario, the printer port for the restored printer is displayed as FILE. Additionally, if you plug the USB printer into the new computer, you are prompted through all steps of printer installation. After the printer is installed, you see a second instance of the printer on the new computer.

This problem occurs on computers that are running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.

The printer port for a restored USB printer is set to FILE. This behavior occurs because the system cannot assume that the USB is not being used.

To avoid this duplicate printer problem, install the following hotfix. This hotfix implements a new feature known as Partial Backup and Restore. This feature lets you backup all printers to an export file. Additionally, you can unpack this backup file to XML files. In the XML files, you can edit or remove all unecessary printers during restore by using a simple script. As soon as you edit the XML files, you can re-pack these files to an export file. Additionally, you can later use this export file to restore the printers.

This hotfix introduces a -d switch.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix on a computer that is running Windows Vista, you must have Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed.

No prerequisites are required for computers that are running Windows Server 2008.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information notes

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately . MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are important to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about migrate print servers, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about the print migration tool, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista