Chapter Summary

• In Windows XP, the term “printer” refers to the actual hardware device. The term “logical printer” refers to the software interface created in the Printers And Faxes window.

• A print server is the computer to which a printer is connected or a computer that controls a printer that is connected to a network.

• Print spooling is the process of saving a print job to the hard disk before sending it to the printer. The process increases user productivity because after the job has been spooled, the application is released, and the user can continue working while the printing process continues in the background.

• Windows automatically detects and installs most Plug and Play–compliant printers. If Windows does not detect a printer automatically, you must install the printer by using the Add Printer Wizard.

• You configure most of the settings for a printer using the Properties dialog box for the printer, which is available by right-clicking the printer icon in the Printers And Faxes window and choosing Properties.

• Windows XP Professional does not distinguish between share and NTFS permissions for printers the way that it does for files and folders. There is only one set of permissions for printers. You cannot assign printer permissions in Windows XP Home Edition.

• The basic printer permissions available in Windows XP Professional are Print, Manage Documents, and Manage Printers.

• Windows assigns some user accounts and groups permissions by default. The Everyone group has the Print permission. The CREATOR OWNER user has the Manage Documents permission. Members of the local groups Administrators and Power Users have the Print, Manage Documents, and Manage Printers permissions.

• You can share a printer that is connected to a computer running Windows XP by using the Sharing tab on the printer’s Properties dialog box.

• Users can connect to a shared printer by using the Add Printer Wizard, browsing My Network Places, using the Run dialog box, or from within certain applications.

• To avoid forcing users of previous versions of Windows to supply drivers, Windows XP Professional allows you to install printer drivers for non–Windows XP clients. When those drivers are installed, installation of the printer on computers with previous versions of Windows is automatic.