Windows 7: Print Management

It seems like there is more robust Print Management functionality in Windows 7 than there was in Windows Vista.

Print Management in Windows 7 provides a central administration point for sharing printers on a network and managing print server and network printer tasks.

Computers running Windows 7 can share printers on a network and centralize print server and network printer management tasks using the Print Management Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in. Print Management helps you to monitor print queues and receive notifications when print queues stop processing print jobs.

It also enables you to migrate print servers and deploy printer connections using Group Policy.

There are two primary tools that you can use to administer a Windows print server, and these are the Server Manager and the Print Management applications.

You can view current details about the status of printers and print servers on the network with Print Management. Print Management can also be used to install printer connections to a group of client computers simultaneously and to monitor print queues remotely.

The application can help you to find printers that have error conditions by using filters. It can send e-mail notifications or run scripts when printers or print servers need attention. Print Management is able to display more data, such as toner and paper levels, on printers that provide a Web-based management interface.

Because Windows 7 is a client operating system, it does not include role services, but rather, includes the Print Management snap-in. Windows 7 also includes the LPD Print Service as an optional feature. LPD Print Service may be installed from Control Panel using Programs and Features. Windows 7 does not include the Internet Printing feature or Distributed Scan Server role service.