Recently I've encountered a very weird and odd problems when performing printer sharing in Windows 7/10.
The Windows 10 (aka PC-1) is connected with a new HP LaserJet Pro M402dn via a USB cable, the drivers installed without any problems and sharing was configured with correct credentials and permissions.
Now the problems occurs on a Windows 7 (aka PC-2) which need to use that new printer and since its networked the sharing should have no problems, but there's where I encountered the problems. It kept on prompting the same error message "A policy enabled on your computer that blocks Windows NT 4.0 kernel drivers...."
I was surprised on this error, as there's no policy configured for such blocking on both of the computers. Well, I will just go have a look in the local GPO and there's nothing configured on the kernel thingy.
Well, "Googling" was my next choice and found out that this was a common problems for Windows 7 which are not properly patched. Well doing a full patching will waste my time thus I go for more shorter time workaround which was a very simple steps :-
1. Open --> Services.
2. Browse for --> Print Spooler --> and Stop it.
3. Next, open Windows Explorer and browse to --> C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers folder.
4. Inside the folder contains 2 folders called "W32x86" and "x64" folders, now you will need to rename both folders to another. I just add a ".old" to them, which end up to "W32x86.old" and "x64.old" folders name.
5. Now, go back to "Services" and START back the "Print Spooler" service.
6. Next is add the shared printer manually, by either creating a "Local Port" (eg. \\[Hostname]\[Printer 's Shared Name]) or by IP Address and manually point it to the correct drivers.
Simple as that and it only takes me 5 minutes.
HAPPY COMPUTING !!!
