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Q304544: Cannot Install IIS 5.1 Printers Virtual Directory Subcomponent

Article: Q304544
Product(s): Internet Information Server
Version(s): 
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 09-NOV-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.1 
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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 this to be 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

Additional query words: metabase v-dir remove policy

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbiisSearch kbiis510
Version           : :
Issue type        : kbprb

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