Error message when you create one or more network printers in a Windows Server 2008-based terminal server session: "Printers cannot be installed"

Consider the following scenario:

• You install the Terminal Services server role on a server that is running Windows Server 2008.
• You make a terminal server session to this server.
• You try to create one or more new network printers that are hosted on one or more printer servers in this terminal server session.

In this scenario, you may receive the following error message:

The issue is caused by a timing issue in the Print Spooler service on a terminal server that is running Windows Server 2008. When the timing issue occurs, two threads create one or more new printer connections to a printer server at the same time. However, the Printer Spooler service does not handle the connections correctly, and an error occurs that causes the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

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.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the Hotfix Request page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Additionally, the computer must have the Terminal Services server role installed.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information

To use one of the hotfixes in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

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 Server 2008 file information note

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 critical 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

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

To work around the issue, restart the Print Spooler service on the affected terminal servers that are running Windows Server 2008.

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

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008

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

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

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