Most printers require that you install the latest printer driver so that the printer will work well. If you recently upgraded from an earlier version of Windows, your printer driver might work with the previous version but might not work well or at all with Windows 10. Also, if you've experienced power outages, computer viruses, or other problems, your printer driver might be damaged. Downloading and installing the latest printer driver can often resolve these problems. Here are several ways to do this.
Download printer drivers Make sure your printer is on and connected to your PC. Open Start Settings Devices Printers & scanners. Select the name of the printer, and then choose Remove device. Do you have an idea for a killer app, custom software, gadget or website that will make you stand out from your competitors? Wordcraft are a Derby based software and web development company with over 30 years experience offering bespoke solutions for SMBs throughout the Midlands and the rest of UK. Software Download information page from Brother.com for North/South/Central America, Europe and Asia/Oceania.
Use Windows Update
Windows Update might find an updated version of your printer driver. To use it:
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security , and select Check for updates.
If Windows Update finds an updated driver, it will download and install it, and your printer will automatically use it.
Install software that came with your printer
If your printer came with a disc, it might contain software that can help you install drivers for your printer or check for driver updates.
Download and install the driver from the printer manufacturer’s website
Check your printer manufacturer’s support site. To find that, search the internet for the name of your printer manufacturer plus the word “support,” such as “HP support.”
Driver updates are often available in the “Drivers” section of a printer manufacturer’s website. Some support sites let you search for your printer model number directly. Locate and download the latest driver for your printer model, then follow the installation instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
Most drivers are self-installing. After you download them, double-click (or double-tap) the file to begin installing it. Then follow these steps to remove and reinstall the printer.
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners .
Under Printers & scanners, find the printer, select it, and then select Remove device.
After removing your printer, add it back by selecting Add a printer or scanner. Wait for your device to find nearby printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device.
What to do if the driver doesn't install
If you double-click the installation file and nothing happens, follow these steps:
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners .
On the right, under Related Settings, select Print server properties.
On the Drivers tab, see if your printer listed. If it is, you’re all set.
If you don’t see your printer listed, select Add, and in the Welcome to the Add Printer Driver Wizard, select Next.
In the Processor Selection dialog box, select your device’s architecture, and then select Next.
In the Printer Driver Selection dialog box, on the left, select your printer manufacturer, on the right, select your printer driver, select Next, select Finish, and follow the instructions to add your driver.
Follow the instructions in the section above to remove and reinstall the printer.
Applies to
- Windows 10
Describes the best practices, location, values, and security considerations for the Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers security policy setting.
Reference
For a device to print to a network printer, the driver for that network printer must be installed locally. The Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers policy setting determines who can install a printer driver as part of adding a network printer. When you set the value to Enabled, only Administrators and Power Users can install a printer driver as part of adding a network printer. Setting the value to Disabled allows any user to install a printer driver as part of adding a network printer. This setting prevents unprivileged users from downloading and installing an untrusted printer driver.
This setting has no impact if you have configured a trusted path for downloading drivers. When using trusted paths, the print subsystem attempts to use the trusted path to download the driver. If the trusted path download succeeds, the driver is installed on behalf of any user. If the trusted path download fails, the driver is not installed and the network printer is not added.
Although it might be appropriate in some organizations to allow users to install printer drivers on their own workstations, this is not suitable for servers. Installing a printer driver on a server can cause the system to become less stable. Only administrators should have this user right on servers. A malicious user might deliberately try to damage the system by installing inappropriate printer drivers.
Possible values
- Enabled
- Disabled
- Not defined
Best practices
Download Wordcraft Printers Drivers
- It is advisable to set Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers to Enabled. Only users in the Administrative, Power User, or Server Operator groups will be able to install printers on servers. If this policy setting is enabled, but the driver for a network printer already exists on the local computer, users can still add the network printer. This policy setting does not affect a user's ability to add a local printer.
Location
Computer ConfigurationWindows SettingsSecurity SettingsLocal PoliciesSecurity Options
Default values
The following table lists the actual and effective default values for this policy. Default values are also listed on the policy’s property page.
| Server type or GPO | Default value |
|---|---|
| Default Domain Policy | Not defined |
| Default Domain Controller Policy | Not defined |
| Stand-Alone Server Default Settings | Enabled |
| DC Effective Default Settings | Enabled |
| Member Server Effective Default Settings | Enabled |
| Client Computer Effective Default Settings | Disabled |
Policy management
This section describes features and tools that are available to help you manage this policy.
Restart requirement
None. Changes to this policy become effective without a computer restart when they are saved locally or distributed through Group Policy.
Security considerations
Hp Printers Driver Download
This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of countermeasure implementation.
Vulnerability
It may be appropriate in some organizations to allow users to install printer drivers on their own workstations. However, you should allow only administrators, not users, to do so on servers because printer driver installation on a server may unintentionally cause the computer to become lessstable. A malicious user could install inappropriate printer drivers in a deliberate attempt to damage the computer, or a user might accidentally install malicious software that masquerades as a printer driver.
Countermeasure
Enable the Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers setting.
Potential impact
Only members of the Administrator, Power Users, or Server Operator groups can install printers on the servers. If this policy setting is enabled but the driver for a network printer already exists on the local computer, users can still add the network printer.
Related topics