Windows 10: How to prevent Win 10 auto mess with network printers?

Hi,


I have really enough and it is eating my nerves, Windows 10 Pro automatic network device discovery. I keep turning it OFF either localy under Network --> Advanced Sharing options --> Local netowork --> Network discovery OFF or via GPO Group Policy in domain, but it simply keeps adding network printers and devices from time to time!?
Beside that, Windows AUTO printer managment switches to ON, and even worse - Some ultra idiotic stupid Micorosoft automation in background keeps changing:

- Network printer TCP/IP port to WDS port

- and PCL6 driver to PS or PWG Raster driver

And this is DISASTER!

Imagine, computers in Healthcare institution all of the sudden one morning have 120+ printers installed, of those 50% are same models with some random name...Nobody knows which printer is which.

And another company, Remote workers these corona days...today morning I've got dozens of calls, remote RDP workers complaining that they see a lot of Redirected printers and they do not know, which is which.


So, how can I put END on this for good?

Just tell Windows: Please, do not mess with networking devices anymore! That's all I want.

:)

 

Win 10 Network Printer Connection Problem

I have tried, when using the wifi from a Win 7 computer to connect to the printer connected to it. Others can connect.

I did do the three steps outlined:

• Open File Explorer. Pick the "Network" icon from the left pane (navigation pane) of the file explorer UI.
• If sharing is turned off you will see a pale yellow line towards the top of the window that states "Network Discovery is turned off. Network computers and devices are not visible. Click to change...".
• Click this bar and select "Turn on network discovery and file sharing"

None of the suggestion worked.

I did notice that the PC I'm connecting to is 'Private' while I am listed as 'Public'.

• Can this be causing the problem?
• Are there other suggestions?

I need to be connected to use the other printer so work flow can not be disrupted and someone else needs to print the file for me.

I will be with this group again on Monday.

Thank you.

 

Auto Updates 'Breaking' HP Network Printer Driver

You have gone back to Win 8.1, or you have another computer running Win 10 ?

I am NOT a Win 10 "fan boy".
In fact, I am in the camp that maintains MS has pushed out a product immaturely.
That said, I would suggest Patience, if that is acceptable to you.
Let MS sorts things out. Win 10 might turn out to be fine....... eventually.

 

Printer visible on network but can't connect

Well I had done all of the suggested steps but in wrong order. I updated router firmware, but still couldn't see printer. When I then reinstalled the new driver I had downloaded, it located the printer and all is now running fine. How complex this can get!