Home Forums Virtual Machines and Printers?

Hi,

In VMWare, it seems that the guest VM's automatically see the printers that are installed on the Host computer. No need to install printer drivers, etc. Printing from the guest VM's are no problem.

However, when I RDP into a guest VM, I don't seem to have access to the same printers. What's the method to the madness?

I should note that the Network Adapter is using the "Bridged" mode, and the printer that we are trying to reach is on the network, and not connected via USB.

Thanks.

Make sure you checked the printers box in the RDP file. Also, make sure the drivers are installed on the server for that printer you're trying to use.

Yep, tried that. I should clarify:

1. The printer is on the network, and not physically attached to the Host, Guest VM, or the computer that's initiating the RDP connection.

2. The drivers for the printer are installed on the Host, and not the Guest VM.I do believe that the drivers are *NOT* installed on the computer initiating the RDP.

I'm wondering if for the sake of simplicity, I should uncheck the "Connect at power on" checkbox in the Printer setting of the VM? And then just install the drivers on the VM itself?

Well here's the problem.

For you to print from the VM. You'll need to either
1. Install the network printer to the VM assuming they are on the same subnet.

2. Install the printer to the computer you are RDP'ing from.

I would go for option 1. If it's a production VM, it should be set to bridged mode so that it's just like another computer on the network. It will get an address from your DHCP like a physical computer at that point.

Will do. I will go with option #1.

Should uncheck the "Connect at power on" checkbox in the Printer setting of the VM so that there is no confusion? Is that sound practice? Otherwise, two similar printers would show up on the printer list when I'm *not* using RDP?

Thanks much!

That sounds like a good idea. Disconnect it at power on. Just add the shared printer to the guest VM and then you can print to it no matter what computer you are RDP'ing from.

Thanks man - U the best.

You're welcome.