How to allow user (with no admin right) to install local printer?

[ejikn]

Hi,
I have Windows 2003 Server with Active Directory.
When users login to their computer, they only have "Users" right on their computer.
Only Domain Admin and Local Administrator has the Administrators right on local computer.

Notebook users are asking on how to install a printer when they are at home so they can print to their home printers.

From what I have find so far:
- if a user belongs to local "Users" group on local computer, they cannot install a printer
- I need to put notebook users (or groups) into local "Administrators" group so they can install local printer

Does anyone know if it is possible to allow user (without Administrators right) to install local printer?

Is there any settings in group policy that I need to modify to allow user to install local printer without admin rights?

Thank you

[gdavison]

I have the same issue. We have users around the world with limited IT resources in only three countries. To have the IT staff have to install every printer is time consuming and driving users crazy(er)!

[MikeBY]

With windows 7, users should be able to install printers if the drivers are already cached on the machine. you can set a GP to allow non-administrators to install drivers by class (printers, USB devices, etc.) This will work if the printer driver is unpacked manually. It does NOT solve the problem of installing printers using the typical packaged driver installer (setup.exe, etc.) nor does it solve the issue of installing software bundled with the printer (scanner utilities for All-in-Ones, printer utils, etc.)

Looking for a 3rd party solution to manage temporary user rights elevation. Self-service would be ideal, especially for a geographically diverse group of users.

any ideas?

[Ponzi]

I work for for a school district and we are trying to find a way to grant students the ability to install software that we are distributing with AD. Problem is student users are not admins so they are lacking the privileges needed to complete the install.

Is there a way to allow non-admin users in AD the privilege to install??

[MikeBY]

How are you distributing the software using AD? Via GPO or using Login script?

[brad]

The setting you are looking for is - Allow non-administrators to install drivers for these devices setup classes

You will find it in - Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System\Driver Installation

You will need the GUI ClassGuid of the printers as this setting is for all types of hardwared. I believe it is ClassGuid = {4d36e979-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}

If not, you can look it up here: System-Defined Device Setup Classes Available to Vendors (Windows Drivers)