PRB: Cannot Install IIS 5.1 Printers Virtual Directory Subcomponent through Add/Remove Windows Components (304544)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.1
This article was previously published under Q304544

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install the Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.1 Printers Virtual Directory subcomponent through Add/Remove Windows Components, the Printers Virtual Directory, which enables Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), is not installed, even though the Printers Virtual Directory check box is selected.

CAUSE

The Printers Virtual Directory installation is configured in the Local Computer Policy, not through Add/Remove Windows Components.

RESOLUTION

To install the Printers Virtual Directory:
  1. Start the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), and then load the Group Policy snap-in.
  2. Select Computer Configuration, select Administrative Templates, and then select Printers.
  3. Make sure that Web-based printing is enabled.
NOTE: You must restart the Spooler service for these changes to take effect.

If the server is part of a domain, you can configure Web-based printing through the Domain Group Policy.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.1.

MORE INFORMATION

Enabling and disabling Web-based printing by using the Local Computer Policy snap-in toggles the following registry key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers] "DisableWebPrinting"=dword:00000000

When you restart the Spooler service, the service detects this setting and takes the appropriate action. For example, if Web-based printing is enabled:
  • The printers virtual directory pointing to C:\WINDOWS\Web\Printers is added in the IIS configuration.
  • A .printer ISAPI extension mapping is configured for the Msw3prt.dll ISAPI extension.
  • You can use Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) by browsing to http://%servername%/printers/.
Initially, the Printers Virtual Directory is not present in the IIS configuration and Web-based printing is disabled. If Web-based printing is explicitly disabled, the Printers Virtual Directory is removed from the IIS configuration when the Spooler service is restarted.

NOTE: In the Internet Services Manager (ISM), the .printer ISAPI extension mapping is not visible under the Printers Virtual Directory; however, you can check the setting by using Adsutil.vbs: 
C:\Inetpub\AdminScripts> cscript.exe adsutil.vbs enum w3svc/1/root/printers
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/9/2001
Keywords:kbprb KB304544
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