Error The current printer driver is not compatible with a policy enabled on your computer that blocks Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 kernel mode drivers

Error The current printer driver is not compatible with a policy enabled on your computer that blocks Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 kernel mode drivers

Release

Windows 2003 server SP2,Windows XP

Problem

When you install printer drivers , you may receive the following error message and cannot install printer.

“Unable to Install Printer. The printer driver is not compatible with a policy enabled on your computer that blocks Windows NT 4.0 drivers. If you want to use this driver, contact your system administrator about disabling this policy”

Solution

This behavior occurs because Windows does not support Kernel mode print drivers by default.

For windows XP

Open the group policy editor by typing gpedit.msc on RUN prompt and locate the path

Under Local Computer Policy, double-click Computer Configuration. Double-click Administrative Templates, and then double-click Printers.Right-click Disallow installation of printers using kernel mode drivers, and then click properties.On the Setting tab, click Disabled, and then click OK.

If you enable this the installation of kernel-mode printer drivers will be prevented.

For updating group policy use gpupadte /force command in command prompt

For windows 2003 server

Open the group policy editor by typing gpedit.msc on RUN prompt and locate the path

Under Local Computer Policy, double-click Computer Configuration. Double-click Administrative Templates, and then double-click Printers.Right-click Disallow installation of printers using kernel mode drivers.

or

Default Domain Controller Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Printers / Disallow installation of printers using kernel-mode drivers. And then click properties.On the Setting tab, click Disabled, and then click OK.

For updating group policy use gpupadte /force command in command prompt