Policy selection for ADMX packs

Policy overview

Key metadata and intent for this policy.

ClassUser

CategoryControl Panel > Printers

Supported onAt least Windows 2000

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows2000, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista, WindowsXP

Prevents users from using familiar methods to add local and network printers. If this policy setting is enabled, it removes the Add Printer option from the Start menu. (To find the Add Printer option, click Start, click Printers, and then click Add Printer.) This setting also removes Add Printer from the Printers folder in Control Panel. Also, users cannot add printers by dragging a printer icon into the Printers folder. If they try, a message appears explaining that the setting prevents the action. However, this setting does not prevent users from using the Add Hardware Wizard to add a printer. Nor does it prevent users from running other programs to add printers. This setting does not delete printers that users have already added. However, if users have not added a printer when this setting is applied, they cannot print. Note: You can use printer permissions to restrict the use of printers without specifying a setting. In the Printers folder, right-click a printer, click Properties, and then click the Security tab. If this policy is disabled, or not configured, users can add printers using the methods described above.

Internal name

NoAddPrinter

Policy ID

8e16ce5b7c3f

Elements

Registry values

How enabled and disabled states update the registry.

Registry location	Type	Enabled value	Disabled value
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoAddPrinter	REG_DWORD	1	0

Policy elements

Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

Other policies in this category

Explore related policies at the same level.