Adding a Printer with Windows 2000's Active Directory Search Tool

1. Problem
   

   How can I use Active Directory Search to add a Network Printer to Windows 2000?

   
   
2. Information
   

   Windows 2000's Active Directory Search is an easy way to locate printers on a network. Once a printer is found, the ADS allows users to install the printer and begin using it.

3. Solution
   
   1. To use the Active Directory Search, click the Start Menu->Search->For Printers.
   2. At the top of the Find Printers window will be a drop down box labeled "In:". You may need to to select pa, the correct directory.
   3. You can now begin narrowing down your search. For example, to find printers somewhere on the fourth floor, second hallway of the BPS building, enter "42" in the "Name:" field and click "Find Now". This will list all the printers whose names include 42.
   4. Make sure you are viewing the list of printers in detailed mode. To do this, click "View" on the menu bar and select "Details". This allows you to see a short description of the printers listed. Public printers are labeled as such and are for use by everyone. Group printers (CMP, HEP, CSM and AST) are for use by those groups only. Private printers are for use by faculty and staff only. Select a printer from the list and double click it. Windows will automatically install the printer for you, and you can begin using it to print jobs.
   
   

4. Other Useful Information

   Installing Network Printers in Windows 2000/XP
   

Questions not covered in this FAQ? Make sure to send them in!

Last Updated: 2008.06.12 (Thursday) Eastern Daylight Time by Jason Hicks