The Add-PrinterDriver PowerShell command is a powerful tool that allows administrators to add printer drivers to their system. This command can be used to add drivers for both local and remote printers, and it is an essential part of managing a network of printers. In this article, we will explore the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips for using the Add-PrinterDriver command.
Syntax
The syntax for the Add-PrinterDriver command is as follows:
Add-PrinterDriver -Name
Parameters
The Add-PrinterDriver command has several parameters that can be used to customize the command’s behavior. These parameters are:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The name of the printer driver to be added. |
| InfPath | The path to the .inf file for the printer driver. |
| ComputerName | The name of the computer to which the printer driver will be added. If this parameter is not specified, the driver will be added to the local computer. |
| Credential | The credentials to use when connecting to the remote computer. |
| Force | If this parameter is specified, the printer driver will be added even if it already exists. |
| PassThru | If this parameter is specified, the printer driver object will be returned. |
| Shared | If this parameter is specified, the printer driver will be shared. |
| WhatIf | If this parameter is specified, the command will not be executed, but the changes that would be made will be displayed. |
| Confirm | If this parameter is specified, the user will be prompted to confirm the command before it is executed. |
Inputs
The Add-PrinterDriver command requires two inputs: the name of the printer driver and the path to the .inf file for the driver. The name of the driver must be a valid printer driver name, and the path must be a valid path to an .inf file.
Outputs
The Add-PrinterDriver command does not return any output by default. However, if the PassThru parameter is specified, the printer driver object will be returned.
Examples
The following examples demonstrate how to use the Add-PrinterDriver command:
- To add a printer driver to the local computer, use the following command:
Add-PrinterDriver -Name “My Printer Driver” -InfPath “C:\MyPrinterDriver.inf”
- To add a printer driver to a remote computer, use the following command:
Add-PrinterDriver -Name “My Printer Driver” -InfPath “C:\MyPrinterDriver.inf” -ComputerName “MyComputer” -Credential (Get-Credential)
- To add a shared printer driver, use the following command:
Add-PrinterDriver -Name “My Printer Driver” -InfPath “C:\MyPrinterDriver.inf” -Shared
Tips
When using the Add-PrinterDriver command, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure that the printer driver name and path are valid.
- If the printer driver already exists, use the Force parameter to overwrite it.
- If the printer driver is being added to a remote computer, make sure to specify the ComputerName and Credential parameters.
- If the printer driver is being shared, use the Shared parameter.
- Use the WhatIf parameter to preview the changes that will be made before executing the command.
- Use the Confirm parameter to prompt the user to confirm the command before it is executed.
Conclusion
The Add-PrinterDriver command is a powerful tool for managing printers in a network environment. With this command, administrators can add printer drivers to both local and remote computers, and they can customize the command’s behavior with parameters such as Force, PassThru, and Shared. By following the syntax, parameters, inputs, outputs, examples, and tips in this article, administrators can easily use the Add-PrinterDriver command to manage their printer drivers.