Windows NT Printer Driver Support

 Last reviewed: February 4, 1998
Article ID: Q156082

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SUMMARY

This article addresses the following questions regarding the Windows NT printer drivers:

  • Who writes Windows NT printer drivers?
  • Where are the printer drivers available from Microsoft?
  • What if Microsoft does not have the printer driver?

MORE INFORMATION

Who Writes Windows NT Printer Drivers?

Windows NT printer drivers are developed through the cooperation between Microsoft and the independent hardware vendor (IHV) that manufactures the print device. Microsoft's role is to assist IHVs with programming and testing of the printer driver's interaction with Windows NT. The role of the IHV is to assist Microsoft in addressing either the general features or the entire feature set of the print device.

Where Are the Printer Drivers Available from Microsoft?

Windows NT supports all print devices listed in the latest Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). A copy of the HCL is located in the Support directory on the Windows NT compact disc. For the most recent HCL, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q131303
   TITLE     : Latest Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List
If a print device is not listed in the HCL and there is a high demand for printer support in Windows NT, Microsoft can work with the IHV to make the printer drivers available. To make your need for a particular driver known to Microsoft, please see step 3 in the "What If Microsoft Does Not Have the Printer Driver?" section below.

New drivers are placed on the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) under the Windows NT Driver Library (WNTDL). The phone number for the MSDL is (425) 936-6735. For a list of the latest drivers, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q100654
   TITLE     : Windows NT 3.51 Driver Library
   ARTICLE-ID: Q142643
   TITLE     : Windows NT 4.0 Driver Library
Other locations of the printer drivers are as follows:
  • Internet (anonymous FTP) 

          ftp ftp.microsoft.com
      Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
      Get <FILENAME>.EXE
  • Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet 

          On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
      Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
      Enter kbfile <FILENAME>.EXE, and click GO!
      Open the article, and click the button to download the file.

If the printer drivers are not on the locations listed above, determine if the print device supports PostScript. Nearly all PostScript print devices ship with a PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file that can be used to add support for the print device. Microsoft does not support PPD files from OEM vendors. Contact your manufacturer for information about PPD files for your postscript printer.

For instructions on installing a PPD file in Windows NT 3.51, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q142057
   TITLE     : How to Install PPD Files from PostScript Printer
               Manufacturers

What If Microsoft Does Not Have the Printer Driver?

If Microsoft does not have the printer driver:

  1. Find a printer driver emulation that can provide the correct output. If your printer is a new model, you may want to try the driver for the previous model.

  2. Contact the printer manufacturer to see if they have a Windows NT printer driver. Some printer manufacturers do develop drivers for Windows NT.

  3. Indicate your desire for a printer driver by sending e-mail to ntwish@microsoft.com. Do not include technical support questions in the e-mail to ntwish; include only the manufacturer of the printer, and the make and model. Microsoft will use this information to gauge demand for a particular printer driver.

    NOTE: Sending mail to ntwish in no way guarantees that a driver for your printer will be written by Microsoft. Additionally, you will not receive a reply to any e-mail sent to ntwish.

    Additionally, the following website is available for product suggestions: 

          http://www.microsoft.com/regwiz/regwiz.asp

Additional query words: 3.10 3.50 3.51 4.00 prodnt
Keywords : ntprint NTSrvWkst kbnetwork kbfaq
Version : WinNT:3.1,3.5,3.51,4.0
Platform : winnt

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: February 4, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.