The notorious "Do you trust this printer" prompt stems from Microsoft's security update KB3170455 (MS16-087) which modified Point and Print behavior to prevent driver spoofing attacks. This fundamentally changed how Windows 7/Server 2012 R2 environments handle printer driver installations.

Here's the definitive configuration that worked in our production environment:

# Group Policy Objects needed:
1. Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Printers
   - Point and Print Restrictions: Enabled
     - Security Prompts: "Do not show warning or elevation prompt"
     - Trusted Servers: "\\yourprintserver.domain.com"
     - Users can only point and print to these servers: Enabled

2. Registry tweak for stubborn cases (create via GPO Preferences):
   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint]
   "RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators"=dword:00000000
   "NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall"=dword:00000001
   "UpdatePromptSettings"=dword:00000002

For cases where pure GPO fails, this PowerShell script can run as a startup script:

# PrinterInstall.ps1
$printerPath = "\\printserver\printerShare"
$driverName = "HP Universal Printing PCL 6"

try {
    Add-PrinterDriver -Name $driverName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    Add-Printer -ConnectionName $printerPath -ErrorAction Stop
    
    # Verify installation
    if (Get-Printer -Name $printerPath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
        Write-Output "Printer installed successfully"
        Exit 0
    }
} catch {
    # Fallback to rundll32 for legacy systems
    Start-Process -FilePath "rundll32" -ArgumentList "printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /ga /n$printerPath" -Wait
    Restart-Service -Name Spooler -Force
    Exit 0
}

• Verify Print Server role is installed with proper drivers
• Check DNS resolution of print server hostname
• Test with procmon to identify permission issues
• Clear existing printer connections from registry before redeploying
• Ensure GPO is applying (gpresult /h gpreport.html)

While bypassing prompts increases usability, consider these security measures:

1. Digitally sign all printer drivers
2. Restrict printer deployment to specific IP ranges
3. Implement Network Access Protection (NAP) for print clients
4. Regularly audit print server for unauthorized drivers

Since KB5005565 (September 2021 Patch Tuesday), Windows implements stricter Point and Print restrictions by default. This affects both manual installations and GPO-based deployments when:

• Print server and client OS versions differ (Server 2012 R2 → Win7)
• Driver packages aren't properly signed
• Non-administrative users attempt installation

For environments mixing Server 2012 R2 and Windows 7, these registry tweaks are essential:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint]
"RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators"=dword:00000000
"NoWarningNoElevationOnInstall"=dword:00000001
"UpdatePromptSettings"=dword:00000000

When GPO fails, this script handles silent installation:

# PrinterInstall.ps1
$PrinterPath = "\\PrintServer\AccountingPrinter"
$DriverName = "HP Universal Printing PCL 6"
$PortName = "IP_192.168.1.100"

# Create TCP/IP port
Add-PrinterPort -Name $PortName -PrinterHostAddress "192.168.1.100"

# Install driver (admin rights required)
pnputil.exe -i -a "\\PrintServer\Drivers\HP\UPD\hpcu118u.inf"

# Add printer
Add-Printer -Name "Accounting Printer" -DriverName $DriverName -PortName $PortName -Shared $false

Check these critical points when troubleshooting:

1. Run gpresult /h gpreport.html to verify GPO application
2. Inspect Event Viewer → Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → PrintService
3. Test with Process Monitor filtering for spoolsv.exe and rundll32.exe

For reliable large-scale deployments:

• Package drivers using DISM /Add-Driver in your deployment image
• Pre-stage printer connections via registry before user logon
• Consider using PrintBRM for printer migration scenarios