Printer GPP - Printer replaced, same share name, GPP setting?

[link470]

Hi everyone,

 

I use Group Policy Preferences (user configuration) to deploy a copier at a small office. The copier is the only printer on the network. The GPP option has always been set to "Create", and I've left it there so anyone who logs in on a machine they haven't logged into before simply gets the new printer. Done. Easy.

 

Now, they've just received a new copier. The copier share name is the same, since the new copier is simply replacing the old copier. I replaced the driver on the server for that printer, set the options in the driver, and then changed the GPP option from "Create" to "Replace". This works. Everyone received the new copier the next time they logged in, as the GPP deleted the old printer connection and re-made it with the new one.

 

My question is how long do I keep the "Replace" in there before switching it back to "Create"? In my mind, I'm thinking I'd have to leave it there before every user who's potentially logged into any machine before has logged into that machine again and had their printer connections swapped. Right now, the users won't be able to create their own preferences for that printer, because the copier connection will be deleted and re-added every time they log in. I was hesitant to set the GPP to "Update", since A, I didn't know if the drivers would change properly from the old ones, and B, I didn't know if that would overwrite custom settings set by the user in their driver every time.

 

So what do you guys do? Should I leave the GPP set to Replace indefinitely? Should I set the "Run Once" box? Should I leave it at Replace for a couple more weeks then set it back to Create? If I leave it at Replace and Run Once, will new users who have never logged into a particular computer before receive the connection as if it was set to Create?

 

What do you think? Thanks in advance!

[rich_tech]

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/grouppolicy/2009/10/26/group-policy-preferences-colorful-and-mysteriously-powerful-just-like-windows-7/

 

You can leave stuff on replace as far as I am aware, its not much of an impact or noticeable in difference from what I have seen when I used it

[MrFrostmaul]

All our printer GPO settings are on replace and working fine

[newpersn]

Mine are on update. Does that make a difference?

[sjatkn]

From https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc732092%28v=ws.11%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

 

Create: Create a new shared printer connection. If a local printer with the same name exists, then it does not modify it.

Delete: Remove a shared printer connection with the same share path. The extension performs no action if the shared printer connection does not exist. Important: This action does not remove the printer driver. It only removes the shared printer connection.

Replace: Delete and recreate the shared printer connection. The net result of the Replace action overwrites all existing settings associated with the shared printer connection. If the shared printer connection does not exist, then the Replace action creates a new shared printer connection.

Update: Modify a shared printer connection. The action differs from Replace in that it updates the settings defined within the preference item. All other settings remain as they were previously configured. If the shared printer connection does not exist, then the Update action creates a new shared printer connection.

 

I use update as it's quicker when changes have been made.

[link470]

All our printer GPO settings are on replace and working fine

Thanks. This is what I was after. I know perfectly well what options do what but wanted to hear it from someone who's actually had this exact setup where the share name is the same but the printer is different.