Deleting printers - Local printer
Experts,
The spawn of Satan is tormenting me - Printers. Having needed to attempt to install this printer several times it has come up with 2 versions of the same one. 1 with the original name and the other with "(Copy 1)" at the end.
The issue is with deleting one of the versions that doesn't work. But when going into the GUI for windows in devices and printers it should show the 2 copies, but only shows 1. But there are drop down boxes to select the others, but when I select remove device, it doesn't let me specify.
I know it's vague but any help is appreciated.
The spawn of Satan is tormenting me - Printers. Having needed to attempt to install this printer several times it has come up with 2 versions of the same one. 1 with the original name and the other with "(Copy 1)" at the end.
The issue is with deleting one of the versions that doesn't work. But when going into the GUI for windows in devices and printers it should show the 2 copies, but only shows 1. But there are drop down boxes to select the others, but when I select remove device, it doesn't let me specify.
I know it's vague but any help is appreciated.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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I would try running the MS FixIt tool for printing.
There's a TechNet blog post about the tool which gives more details about what it does. But, basically, it resets the spooler service to fix any errors cause by dependency issues or bad drivers. The "lite" tool will reset the spooler service back to default settings, reload related files, etc. It will not remove drivers or printers.
The full version will completely reset the printing system in Windows back to factory settings: removing all drivers, printers, printer ports, print monitors, etc. So, only run the full version if the light version doesn't resolve the issue. And, be prepared to re-install all printers and drivers if you run the full version.
The blog is here:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2012/02/24/microsoft-fixit-for-printing.aspx
The pertinent section of that page:
I have used this tool in the past when I wasn't able to remove printers or drivers: so, it's effective.
There's a TechNet blog post about the tool which gives more details about what it does. But, basically, it resets the spooler service to fix any errors cause by dependency issues or bad drivers. The "lite" tool will reset the spooler service back to default settings, reload related files, etc. It will not remove drivers or printers.
The full version will completely reset the printing system in Windows back to factory settings: removing all drivers, printers, printer ports, print monitors, etc. So, only run the full version if the light version doesn't resolve the issue. And, be prepared to re-install all printers and drivers if you run the full version.
The blog is here:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2012/02/24/microsoft-fixit-for-printing.aspx
The pertinent section of that page:
*UPDATE* As of today (4/24/2013), the Fixit for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is now available!
Direct link to Print Reset Full Mode - http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9829711
Direct Link to Print Reset Lite Mode - http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9829710
....
Please Note: All applications must be shut down before running the Fix It Solution. Some applications will open a handle to the print spooler when running and this will prevent any cleanup from occurring. The Fix It Solution will not shut down any applications before the cleanup to prevent loss of data.
I have used this tool in the past when I wasn't able to remove printers or drivers: so, it's effective.
unrealone1--
Have you looked in Control Panel|Programs and Features to see if both versions are listed? If so, you should be able to delete from there.
However, is it hurting anything having both listed?
Have you looked in Control Panel|Programs and Features to see if both versions are listed? If so, you should be able to delete from there.
However, is it hurting anything having both listed?
ASKER
Hi Jcimarron,
Technically it isn't, but the OCD of 2 copies and user errors may occur if there are 2 copies of the same printer. I tried the printmanagement.msc and it wouldnt delete from there, while I was logged in as administrator.
Technically it isn't, but the OCD of 2 copies and user errors may occur if there are 2 copies of the same printer. I tried the printmanagement.msc and it wouldnt delete from there, while I was logged in as administrator.
unrealone1--
So what was the solution?
So what was the solution?
ASKER
No solution has worked at the moment so I am a bit stumped. Short of deleting both copies there isn't a lot I can do. I am hesitant to remove both copies because it took me a few hours to install anyway.
Remove you r printer from your PC and uninstall also the specific software for your printer with next program:
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html
Then you may want to use next guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRlx0arzY2s
and use "printui" as suggested here:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/i-want-to-removedelete-printerdriver-from-windows/6700d817-cfb7-4d94-904e-25bc8f435c7f?auth=1
1. right-click on desktop, create a new shortcut with target as 'cmd.exe'.
2. right-click on the shortcut, "Run as Administrator"
3. Run the printui tool: printui /s /t2
4. Try deleting the printers. If that doesn't work...
5. CLick Start > Run > Services.msc
6. Locate the Print Spooler service, and right-click > Properties > stop service.
7. Open My Computer and browse to c:\Windows\System32\spool\
(you will need to say "oK" to get access to the folder).
8. DELETE the contents of that folder.
9. Restart the Print Spooler service.
10. Go back into the printui utillity (might need to restart it using same method as above) and try removing printers again. This time it should work. If necessary, check the "Ports" tab and remove any TCP/IP ports that are associated with the old printer.
11. Last but not least, I checked other computers on my home network to see if any of those had mapped to the old printer, and I removed those mappings, as the date of spooled documents suggested it was printed to long after it was physically removed.