How to deploy x86 and x64 universal printer drivers en-masse

I was recently asked to come up with a solution to update our entire print server esate (around 600 boxes) with univeral PCL6 and PS drivers over x86 and x64 architectures. Specifically in this case I was asked to update with Lexmark and HP drivers although I see no reason this solution shouldn’t extend to any other manufacturers.

Since we have SCCM, my immediate idea was to create a package and push all packages out to the servers concerned but I found some shortcomings when creating the driver packages. Lexmark provide a tool to create the packages but I found I was unable to install both x86 and x64 drivers on the same machine. In fact, the executable created for the x86 drivers just threw errors. For the HP drivers, I had to throw in a few command line switches but again it simply wouldn’t install both architectures of driver. I should point out that the print server I was using for the test was Windows 2008 x64.

So another method was required. After much testing, I found the most reliable method was to use the Microsoft utility, prndrvr.vbs. This utility (along with several others) can be found under C:\Windows\System32\Printing_Admin_Scripts\en-US on the print server. I then deployed these using a task sequence in SCCM, running this utility with the drivers in question. Everything installs just fine and I don’t get any of the other rubbish which the manufacturer utilities include, such as extra printer objects, pre-configured ports etc. I have outlined what I did below for the HP drivers but remember, this should work for any print drivers.

  1. Download HP Universal Drivers package from the net. Create a folder called HPUniversalDrivers in C:\Temp on your test workstation. Create another folder inside called HPUPD. Copy xcopy.exe into this folder. Copy the 32bit and the 64bit folders out of the HP Universal Drivers package into C:\Temp\HPUniversalDrivers\HPUPD. Finally copy prndrvr.vbs into C:\Temp\HPUniversalDrivers\HPUPD. Your HPUPD folder should now contain two folders (32bit and 64bit) and the vbs script.
  2. Create a package in SCCM pointing the source to the location we have just described on your test box, eg \\testbox\C$\temp\HPUniversalDrivers, create a distribution point and update it. You don’t need a program.
  3. Create a new custom task sequenceSelect General > Run Command Line: NAME=Copy HP Drivers Locally, Command Line=xcopy “HPUPD” “C:\Temp\HPUPD\” /E /Y, select the ‘package’ checkbox and browse to your HP driver package you created earlier. OK
  4. Decide which driver version you require. You may have to dig about in the .inf files to find the one for your particular requirements but for the purposes of this blog I required v5.4 which could be found in hpcu118d.inf: 
    • Create a new custom task sequenceSelect General > Run Command Line: NAME=HP UPD PS v5.4 x86, Command Line=cscript prndrvr.vbs -a -m “HP Universal Printing PS (v5.4)” -e “Windows NT x86” -i “C:\Temp\HPUPD\32bit\PS\hpcu118d.inf” -h “C:\Temp\HPUPD\32bit\PS”, Start in:= C:\Temp\HPUPD
    • Create a new custom task sequenceSelect General > Run Command Line: NAME=HP UPD PCL6 v5.4 x86, Command Line=cscript prndrvr.vbs -a -m “HP Universal Printing PCL 6 (v5.4)” -e “Windows NT x86” -i “C:\Temp\HPUPD\32bit\PCL6\hpcu118c.inf” -h “C:\Temp\HPUPD\32bit\PCL6”, Start in:= C:\Temp\HPUPD
    • Create a new custom task sequenceSelect General > Run Command Line: NAME=HP UPD PS v5.4 x64, Command Line=cscript prndrvr.vbs -a -m “HP Universal Printing PS (v5.4)” -e “Windows x64” -i “C:\Temp\HPUPD\64bit\PS\hpcu118v.inf” -h “C:\Temp\HPUPD\64bit\PS”, Start in:= C:\Temp\HPUPD
    • Create a new custom task sequenceSelect General > Run Command Line: NAME=HP UPD PS v5.4 x64, Command Line=cscript prndrvr.vbs -a -m “HP Universal Printing PCL 6 (v5.4)” -e “Windows x64” -i “C:\Temp\HPUPD\64bit\PCL6\hpcu118u.inf” -h “C:\Temp\HPUPD\64bit\PCL6”, Start in:= C:\Temp\HPUPD
    • Create a new custom task sequenceSelect General > Run Command Line: NAME=Remove HP Directory, Command Line=cmd.exe /c RD C:\Temp\HPUPD /S /Q
  5. Your task sequence is now complete. Next, create a collection and add the print server of your choice to the collection. Advertise the task sequence to the collection and you should be good to go. This example will install both x86 and x64 drivers, PS and PCL6.

Print Drivers

Disclaimer: I am in no way responsible if you accidentally deploy something nasty to your whole estate. Please test responsibly before deployment!

3 thoughts on “How to deploy x86 and x64 universal printer drivers en-masse”

  1. Hello Bondy,
    Thank you for this excellent write-up on pushing out print drivers en-masse via SCCM. We use SCCM and I somewhat of a newbie with drivers.
    If your time permits, could you elaborate on this?

    “4. Decide which driver version you require. You may have to dig about in the .inf files to find the one for your particular requirements but for the purposes of this blog I required v5.4 which could be found in hpcu118d.inf: “

    We have many local HP models such as
    HP 4250
    HP 4350 Series
    HP Laserjet P3005
    HP Laserjet P3015
    HP Laserjet P1606
    HP Laserjet P1505

    I do not know what to look for in an inf file. I have downloaded the HP universal drivers upd-pcl5-x64-5.9.0.18326 / upd-pcl6-x64-6.0.0.18849 and upd-ps-x64-6.0.0.18849

    Thank you in advance for any assistance or guidance.
    Regards,
    Carlos

    1. Hi Carlos

      The tool of choice here is the Print Management utility that comes with the OS you’re using. I did this from a Windows 7 box and from memory I think it is installed as standard but if not then install it from Add/Remove components. I believe installation is required if you are doing this from a Windows 2008 server (and no doubt other versions too).
      Once installed and running:
      1. Go to Print Servers | Local machine | Drivers
      2. Right click, add driver > point to the driver folder of your package.
      3. You should be presented with the driver versions that are available. Install those you wish to use.
      3. Once installed, the right hand pane will give you all the driver information you need including the inf file you need to point to.

      Apologies wrote this ages ago in a bit of a hurry and probably should have pointed out this information.

      Thanks

      Simon

  2. Thank you very much Simon, the information is very relevant and useful.

    I will look at using the Print Management interface on Windows 2012 R2.

    Much appreciated that you took out the time to write this up…and reply.

    Continued Success.
    Regards,

    Carlos

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