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How to Update Printer Drivers Supported in Windows

Updated: March 27, 2002


Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 2000 include in-box support for many printer drivers. Because drivers often include several files, some of which are shared across multiple drivers, hardware vendors should take precautions when they update their drivers. This article provides guidelines for manufacturers who are updating printer drivers provided with Windows XP and Windows 2000.

When updating drivers provided with previously-released versions of Windows, use the following guidelines:

  • Update only driver files that are specific to your device or devices.

  • Test thoroughly the updated version of the driver using the appropriate Microsoft HCTs and your proprietary test processes. Also test any drivers that share a file with the updated driver to prevent unexpected regressions. The Microsoft HCTs for devices are available at: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/whql/default.mspx.

  • Follow the same Plug and Play ID format as the existing in-box driver. Create both drivers either with or without port enumerators. For example, do not switch from using enumerated IDs to non-enumerated IDs in a later version of the driver.

  • If an updated version of an in-box driver has replaced an existing driver, then the un-install program should be capable of removing the newer version of the file and restoring the older one.

For more information about in-box drivers, see Microsoft Universal Printer Driver and the printer driver-related topics in the Windows DDK.
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