Categories: Windows Server

SOLVED: How to Migrate Printers Into Server 2012

Migrating printers between servers used to be accomplished using a free add-on tool from Microsoft called PRINTMIG.EXE but as of Server 2008, the tool is built in.  These instructions assume you are moving from something older to Server 2012 but roughly the same process was followed when I migrated printers from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008:

  1. Add the PRINT SERVICES role
    1. Open Server Manger (in Server 2012)
    2. click MANAGE, ADD ROLES AND FEATURES
    3. click NEXT throught the first few screens (and yes, it is a ROLE BASED FEATURE)
    4. on the SERVER ROLES screen, select PRINT AND DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
    5. accept the defaults to the end
    6. in my case a reboot was required
  2. Launch PRINT MANAGEMENT (i.e. on the tiles screen, click PRINT MAN and it will show)
  3. Right click on the PRINT MANAGEMENT section head and select MIGRATE PRINTERS
  4. Select EXPORT
  5. Select A PRINT SERVER ON THE NETWORK, and browse to what will be your old print server
  6. Name the export file (this single file will house ALL the drivers, ports and print queue)
  7. Follow the wizard’s remaining obvious steps
  8. Right click on the PRINT MANAGEMENT section head and select MIGRATE PRINTERS
  9. Select IMPORT
  10. Browse to the file you just created
  11. Follow the wizard’s remaining obvious steps

This process will take a few minutes so don’t panic and take note that some errors are to be expected.  For instance if you have TYPE 2 drivers, they will not be imported because Server 2012 ONLY supports Mode 3 and Mode 4 drivers.

Note that this tool works just fine (and is supported) between 32bit and 64bit servers.

See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj134150.aspx for more details

View Comments

  • Hi Ian,

    Can you please share the script to delete all of the old printers and install new ones on our clients Win 7 machines. Also can we create an SCCM collection of the script and run it on our win 7 machines?
    Thanks

    • I'm sorry, but we have no residual Win7 PC's left to test on. Our clients and our offices are all 100% Windows 10 now.

  • Does this create the corresponding TCP/IP ports on the destination server, or do they need to be created individually first?

    • Is this what you are looking for:
      @Title = Correct Printer Share Names

      @rem delete all printers with ports named IP_ - i.e. all network printers
      rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /dn /n "\\XXXX-fs1\Sams3380-BW-Act"

      @rem install new printers
      rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n "\\XXXXX-fs2\Sams3820-BW-Act" /q
      rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /y /n "\\XXXX-fs2\Sams3820-BW-Act" /q

      msg %username% Your printer name has been corrected.

  • following the wizar you get all the printers in the new server, but what happens with the workstations? do I need to go one by one migrating the end user to point to the same printer in the new server?

    • Yes, that is correct. I have a script I use to delete all of the old printers and install new ones. A link to the script can be emailed to staff so they can run it at will OR you could just add it to their login script. If you are interested, I will dig the script out an post it for you.

    • I am sorry but I do not understand what you are asking. If you can rephrase it, I will take a crack at answering it.

  • Hey IAN,

    You Rocks Man....

    Your steps did it great...
    and My New Print Server is Working Flawlessly now...

    Thanks Alot For Your Support,
    Keep It Up
    AuRuM...

      • Ian thanks for the response. The tool worked except, I cant all the printers to migrate to the new server. All of the drivers are there but the printers on an old 2003 print server are still being stubborn. Any advice?

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Published by
Ian Matthews
Tags: migrate printers
12 years ago

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