ReMap-Printers

Collection of scripts to ReMap existing networkprinters

Description

As the "PrintNightmare" ball is still rolling, Microsoft keeps making the job as a Printer administrator a troublesome task. This script "ReMapNetworkPrinters.ps1" I created as an "implementation specialist" at one of Europe larges IT companies. The task was to reinstall the printqueues on client computers after having move the existing printservices from the customers own environment to a hosted environment, without having to both the users with old installed printerqueues not working, and then given the Helpdesk an unbelievable amount of extra calls from unhappy users.

But as the new October 2021 security patch seems to force the printerqueues to be reinstalled on the printservers, then the queues on the client is likewice having to be reinstalled.

To get is to work on the client computers, a PowerShell script is run by a Scheduled task The task is created by importing the XML fil to a task. Remember to change the path and servernames to match your environment The PowerShell script should be placed in a location where the client can find it (the NETLOGON path could be used)

Scheduled Task

Runs the PowerShell script at logon with a 15 second delay The argument could be change from running the PowerShell script to run a VBScript, as there is a "bug" when running PowerShell script with the "windowsstyle Hidden", as the PowerShell console force itself to become the active window on the computer, which results in the user is force out of the program in focus.

COMMAND	ARGUMENTS
PowerShell.exe	-windowstyle hidden -executionpolicy bypass -command "& c:\data\SetNetworkPrinters.ps1 -old_servers 'srvdc01','srvdc02' -new_server 'srvprt02'"
Cscript.exe	PRINT-ReMap_scheduledTask-v1.vbs

PowerShell Script

INPUT	TYPE	NOTE
Old_servers	Array	Name of the existing printservers (can be multiple)
New_server	string	Name of the new printserver

Following steps within the script

1. START transscript
2. Controlling access to the share "PRINT$" on the new printserver
3. Get all installed printers on the client, that are connected to the old printservers
4. BEGIN LOOP - ForEach found printerqueue
5. Foreach printer from the "old_servers" the printername is replaced by a new value based on the "new_server"
6. Control if the printerqueue exists on the new printserver
7. Control if the printerqueue is "shared", if so, install the printqueue on the client
8. If the printerqueue is existing "Default printer", then set the new as it
9. Old printerqueues is uninstalled from the client
10. END LOOP - ForEach found printerqueue
11. END Transcript