How to use Citrix Policy to Set a Default Session Printer

How to use Citrix Policy to Set a Default Session Printer

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Article ID: CTX232031

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Description

This article includes information on how to use Citrix Policy to configure a user's default session printer. A session printer is any printer that is created inside the Citrix session, which may include client printers, network printers, generic universal printer or PDF universal printer. In order to set a default session printer using Citrix policy, the session printer must be auto-created using the Citrix policies as described in this article below. Default printer policy is not applicable if the user is setting up the printer manually inside the ICA session.

This article applies to XenApp and XenDesktop VDA versions 7.17 and later.

Background

A default session printer can be set by either of the following two policy settings:

  • Default printer
  • Printer assignments

When both settings are configured, Printer assignments setting takes precedence over the Default printer setting

Instructions

This section details how to configure Citrix Policy settings to set one of the following printer types as the default printer in the session:

  • Client Printer
  • Network Printer
  • Citrix Universal Printer
  • Citrix PDF Printer

Client Printer

Client printers are any printer device that is configured on the user endpoint where the Citrix Receiver client is installed. This generally refers to printers that are physically attached to the endpoint but may include network printers configured on the endpoint. The default printer on the client side can be set as the default printer in the session.

Printing Policy Settings:

  • Set the Default printer policy setting to 'Set default printer to the client's main printer'.
  • In the Printer assignments policy setting, set the Default printer setting to 'Client main printer'.

Network Printer

Network printers are any printer that is accessible from the VDA to a shared printer UNC Path. These printers are generally managed and assigned to users by IT administrators. Network printers may be configured on a XenApp server, a virtual desktop, or directly on the user endpoint.

Printing Policy Settings:

  • Add the UNC path of the network printer to the Default Printer policy setting.
  • Add the UNC path of the network printer to the Printer Assignments policy setting.

Citrix Universal Printer

Citrix Universal Printer is a generic printer created at the beginning of a session that is not tied to any client printing device. When using this generic printer, the resulting print job will be sent to and displayed on the local endpoint where the user has the option to print to any client printer available. This printer is enabled via Citrix policy and can only be used with Windows endpoints using the Receiver for Windows client. Not to be confused with the Citrix Universal Printer Drivers.

Printing Policy Settings:

  • Set the Default printer policy setting to 'Set default printer to the Generic Universal Printer'.
  • In the Printer assignments policy setting, set the Default printer setting to 'Generic Universal Printer'.

Citrix PDF Printer

Citrix PDF Printer is a PDF printer created at the beginning of a session that is not tied to a printing device. When using this PDF printer, the resulting print job will be sent in PDF file format and displayed on the local endpoint where the user has the option to print to any client printer available. This printer is enabled via Citrix policy and can only be used with Chrome and HTML5 receivers.

Printing Policy Settings:
  • Set the Default printer policy setting to 'Set default printer to the PDF printer'.
  • In the Printer assignments policy setting, set the Default printer setting to 'PDF printer'.

Troubleshooting

Symptoms or Error

Default session printer is not being set correctly in the session on Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016 VDAs. 

Solution

Disable the option to 'Let Windows manage my default printer' on the VDA.

Option 1

  1. Navigate to Windows Start menu.
  2. Click "Settings".
  3. Click "Devices" in the Settings dialog.
  4. Click "Printers & scanners" section.
  5. Disable the setting "Let Windows manage my default printer".

Option 2

Set the following registry value:

  • Registry path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
    • Name: LegacyDefaultPrinterMode
    • Type: REG_DWORD
    • Data: 1

Option 3

Disable the windows setting through Group Policy.
Navigate to the following location in Group Policy Editor:
  • User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Control Panel -> Printers
    • Enable "Turn off Windows default printer management".

Problem Cause

When 'Let Windows manage my default printer' is enabled, the last session printer created in the session is set as the default printer. Windows sets the default printer to the most recently used printer.

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