Point and Print Restrictions

This policy setting controls the client Point and Print behavior, including the security prompts for Windows Vista computers. The policy setting applies only to non-Print Administrator clients, and only to computers that are members of a domain.

If you enable this policy setting:
-Windows XP and later clients will only download print driver components from a list of explicitly named servers. If a compatible print driver is available on the client, a printer connection will be made. If a compatible print driver is not available on the client, no connection will be made.
-You can configure Windows Vista clients so that security warnings and elevated command prompts do not appear when users Point and Print, or when printer connection drivers need to be updated.

If you do not configure this policy setting:
-Windows Vista client computers can point and print to any server.
-Windows Vista computers will show a warning and an elevated command prompt when users create a printer connection to any server using Point and Print.
-Windows Vista computers will show a warning and an elevated command prompt when an existing printer connection driver needs to be updated.
-Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP client computers can create a printer connection to any server in their forest using Point and Print.

If you disable this policy setting:
-Windows Vista client computers can create a printer connection to any server using Point and Print.
-Windows Vista computers will not show a warning or an elevated command prompt when users create a printer connection to any server using Point and Print.
-Windows Vista computers will not show a warning or an elevated command prompt when an existing printer connection driver needs to be updated.
-Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP client computers can create a printer connection to any server using Point and Print.
-The "Users can only point and print to computers in their forest" setting applies only to Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP SP1 (and later service packs).

Supported on: At least Windows Vista

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
Value NameRestricted
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

Users can only point and print to these servers:
Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
Value NameTrustedServers
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Default Value0
True Value1
False Value0
Enter fully qualified server names separated by semicolons

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
Value NameServerList
Value TypeREG_SZ
Default Value
Users can only point and print to machines in their forest
Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
Value NameInForest
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Default Value0
True Value1
False Value0

Security Prompts:

When installing drivers for a new connection:


  1. Show warning and elevation prompt
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
    Value NameNoWarningNoElevationOnInstall
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value0
  2. Do not show warning or elevation prompt
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
    Value NameNoWarningNoElevationOnInstall
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value1

When updating drivers for an existing connection:


  1. Show warning and elevation prompt
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
    Value NameUpdatePromptSettings
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value0
  2. Show warning only
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
    Value NameUpdatePromptSettings
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value1
  3. Do not show warning or elevation prompt
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint
    Value NameUpdatePromptSettings
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value2

This setting only applies to:

Windows Vista and later


printing.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)