Windows 10: adding a printer after a fresh load of windows 10 1903

I just reimaged my computer with the most current image of windows 10 that I downloaded from microsoft.com using the media creation tool. When I go to add a printer there are only 2 printer manufacturers available in the list to choose from. When I click to use windows update, I do see a full list of printer manufacturers and all their printers. when I select my printer from the list and click next, all appears like things will work as I even get a screen asking "do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" which we select YES. after a couple of minutes I get the dialog box stating "printer driver was not installed" I've tried doing this same process on another computer i have that I had loaded printer drivers from windows update on versions of windows 10 back at the 1703 build. since things aren't working I am sure there is a bug with this 1903 build and loading printers using the 1903 build. Does anyone have a work around? I was wondering if maybe I could just copy the c:\windows\system32\spool folder and all directories below from an earlier build of windows 10 that has the drivers built in. and then try to paste that folder on this new load of windows 10. I am 100% sure their is a bug in the printer install app using the windows update feature to install the driver. thanks any help would be appreciated.

:)

 

Is it time for Windows 10 already?

Here's a good step by step guide on doing a fresh install.

How to clean install Windows 10 from a USB drive - Software - Feature - HEXUS.net

 

Adding unlisted printer to the Win10 list

!'m not sure how I did it but all seems well now. It was something like Deacon suggested plus a re-boot or two. It's now listed as a printer, not as unspecified.





Update the list still doesn't work.

Thanks for your support.

PS MS's Update catalogue is very useful. E.g. Microsoft Update Catalog

 

Adding a New Printer in Windows 10 does not work

Hi Braink,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community and being a part of Windows 10.

I understand your concern about adding a printer to Surface Pro 4 device. We will help you with this issue.

This issue might have occurred due to corrupted or outdated printer drivers after installing the updates for Outlook 2016. We will help you with this issue.

Try few of the below troubleshooting steps and check if it helps you to add the printer.

Step 1: If the device is not detected on your computer try to run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

Follow:

• Press Windows key from the keyboard, type
  Troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner of
  Troubleshooting window.
• Select the Hardware and Device
  options from the list.
• Click Next to run the
  Hardware and Device Troubleshooter.

Step 2: I suggest you to check the status of
Print Spooler service and check.

Print Spooler service, spools print service and handles interactions with the printer.
If you turn off this service you won’t be able to print or see your printer.

Steps:

• Press Windows + R to open Run command, type
  Services.msc and press Enter.
• Search for Printer Spooler service, right click on it and
  Start the service.
• Also, set the Startup type to Automatic.
• Now check if you are able to install the driver.

Step 3: I suggest you to refer to the below thread, check if your issue matches with the same.

If so, try the troubleshooting steps suggested by Greg Carmack - MS MVP
on January 10, 2016 and check if it helps.

Unable to connect my Printer to Windows 10


Hope it helps. get back to us with an updated status of this issue for further assistance.