Microsoft Windows
white paper
Vista – Printer driver
installation
Security Level: Public
Date Written/Updated: November 2006
Document Summary
D Step-by-step instructions on how to install most LaserJet products using the Microsoft Windows
Vista operating system.
Microsoft Windows Vista
This document provides step-by-step instructions for installing a driver for a LaserJet
using Add Printer Wizard through the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.
Keys to the new print drivers
The HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) is the primary building block of the HP drivers built
into Windows Vista. When using Add a printer in Vista, most HP printing devices are
installed with a print driver that is built around the UPD.
• What does this mean?
The UPD uses a query method to install a permanent instance of a driver.
When a printing device is added, the reality is that the UPD has added a
permanent instance of the device. Open the Printers folder and you will see
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that device. All functions of the UPD reside within the driver. This type of driver
is known as a UPD-based driver.
• Not all drivers in Vista are supported by the UPD.
These few products have product-specific drivers included in Vista. They are:
o HP LaserJet II Series
o HP LaserJet III Series
o HP LaserJet 4 Series
o HP LaserJet 5 Series
o HP LaserJet 6 Series
Instructions
Process Illustration
1. From the desktop Start
menu, select Control Panel.
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Process Illustration
2. In the Control Panel
Home window, select
Printer under Hardware
and Sound.
3. In the Printers window,
select Add a printer.
4. In the Add Printer
window:
Select Add a network,
wireless or Bluetooth
printer. Go to Step 6.
OR
Select Add a local printer to
choose an existing printer
port or to create a new
port. Go to Step 5.
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