In Windows Server environments, administrators typically encounter two distinct approaches for deploying printers through Group Policy:

• GPMC Method: Creating policies via Group Policy Management Console under User Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Printers
• Print Management Method: Right-clicking printer shares in Print Management MMC and selecting "Deploy with Group Policy"

The GPMC method creates standard Group Policy Preference (GPP) items stored in the registry, while the Print Management method generates a special connection type that doesn't appear in GPMC's interface. Here's how they differ in implementation:

# Example PowerShell to check deployed printers (both methods)
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Printer | Where-Object {$_.Network -eq $true} | 
Select-Object Name,Location,PortName,Shared,Published

• GPMC Method:
  • Appears as configured in GP Management
  • Supports item-level targeting
  • Can be modified after deployment
• Print Management Method:
  • Controller connection (not visible in GPMC)
  • Automatic driver distribution
  • Centralized management through Print Management

The blank GPO issue occurs because Print Management creates a deployment relationship rather than traditional GPP items. To modify such deployments:

# View deployed printer connections
Get-Printer -ComputerName printserver | Where-Object {$_.Shared -eq $true} | 
ForEach-Object {Get-PrinterPort -Name $_.PortName}

1. Use Print Management method for:
   • Large-scale deployments
   • Driver management requirements
   • Centralized administration
2. Use GPMC method when:
   • Need granular targeting
   • Require policy modifications
   • Deploying to specific OUs

For connection problems with Print Management-deployed printers:

# Reset printer spooler and reapply policy
Stop-Service -Name Spooler -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:windir\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*" -Force
Start-Service -Name Spooler
gpupdate /force

In Windows Server environments, administrators have two primary methods for deploying printers via Group Policy:

// Method 1: Using Group Policy Preferences (GPP)
1. Open Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc)
2. Create/link GPO to target OU
3. Navigate to:
   User Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Printers
4. Right-click → New → Shared Printer

// Method 2: Via Print Management Console
1. Open Print Management (printmanagement.msc)
2. Right-click printer share → Deploy with Group Policy
3. Browse to select existing GPO or create new one
4. Choose deployment targets (Users/Computers)

The Print Management method creates a special type of GPO deployment that:

• Uses Point and Print restrictions (DriverInstall = 1 in registry)
• Creates printer connections under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
• Doesn't expose settings in GPO editor UI

For environments needing post-deployment modifications, consider this PowerShell script to identify deployed printers:

# Check deployed printers via both methods
$Printers = Get-Printer -ComputerName $env:COMPUTERNAME | 
            Where-Object {$_.Type -eq "Connection"}

foreach ($printer in $Printers) {
    $regPath = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Connections\"
    $regKey = $regPath + ($printer.Name -replace "\\","#")
    
    if (Test-Path $regKey) {
        $source = (Get-ItemProperty $regKey)."Server"
        Write-Host "Deployed printer $($printer.Name) from $source"
    }
}

For most enterprise scenarios, we recommend:

• Use Print Management for initial large-scale deployments
• Supplement with GPP for granular control when needed
• Document deployment method in GPO description field

To modify Point and Print restrictions for Print Management-deployed printers:

# Set Point and Print restrictions via PowerShell
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint" 
                 -Name "RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators" 
                 -Value 0

# Corresponding Group Policy setting path:
# Computer Configuration → Policies → Administrative Templates → Printers