How to Set Up a Windows Print Server: A Step-by-Step Guide

In today’s bustling office environments, where numerous users depend on seamless printing services, setting up a Windows Print Server can make a world of difference. Not only does it allow IT administrators to manage printers more effectively, but it also enhances the user experience by ensuring that printers are readily available to everyone on the domain. Whether you’re a seasoned IT pro or a newbie looking to streamline your printing processes, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up a Windows Print Server and deploy printers efficiently.

Why Use a Print Server?​

Before diving into the setup process, let’s take a moment to understand why a print server is vital in a Windows environment. A print server centralizes printer management, allowing for:

• Easier Configuration: No need to configure each printer on every individual computer; changes can be made centrally.
• Resource Allocation: Track and allocate printing resources based on usage patterns, reducing waste.
• Enhanced Security: Control who can access specific printers, ensuring that sensitive documents are printed securely.

Step-by-Step Setup Process​

1. Install Print and Document Services​

The first step in setting up a print server is installing the Print and Document Services role:

• Open Server Manager from your Start menu.
• Navigate to Manage > Add Roles and Features.
• Click through the prompts until you reach the Server Roles tab.
• Find and check Print and Document Services. You may be prompted to install additional features—click Add Features.
• Ensure that the Print Server service is checked.
• Proceed through the wizard by clicking Next, and then click Install.

Wait patiently as Windows installs the necessary components. This may take a few moments.

2. Add Printer Drivers​

Next, you need to add the printer drivers to the server:

• Copy the driver files to your server and extract them if they are in a ZIP format.
• In Server Manager, select Tools > Print Management.
• Expand the Print Server, right-click your local server, and navigate to Drivers.
• Right-click an empty area and select Add Driver.
• Choose the appropriate architecture (usually x64), and use Have Disk to locate and install the newly copied printer drivers.

3. Set Up the Printer Port​

Now it’s time to configure the printer ports to connect to your printers:

• In the Print Management console, click on Ports, right-click, and select Add Ports.
• Choose Standard TCP/IP Port and click New Port.
• Enter the IP address of the printer you want to connect, and ensure the port is correctly configured.

4. Connect Your Printer​

After setting up the port, you can create and connect a virtual printer:

• Navigate to the Printers tab in the Print Management console.
• Right-click and select Add Printers.
• Choose to add a new printer using the existing port you just configured.
• Follow the prompts to select the printer driver, name the printer, and configure sharing options.

5. Create a Security Group​

Creating a security group tailored for printer access is crucial:

• Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
• Right-click on the Groups container and create a new Organizational Unit (OU).
• Within that OU, create a new group and name it appropriately (e.g., Printer Users).

6. Create a Group Policy​

To efficiently deploy printers, you'll need a Group Policy Object (GPO):

• Go to Group Policy Management in Server Manager.
• Right-click on Group Policy Objects and select New.
• Name the GPO descriptively (e.g., Printer Deployment).
• Right-click on the newly created GPO, select Edit, and navigate to User Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Printers.
• Create a new shared printer and link it to your security group.

7. Add Users to the Group​

Finally, it’s time to grant printer access to users:

• Under your newly created group in Active Directory, double-click it to enter properties and add users as required.
• Users within this group will now have access to the shared printers.

Conclusion​

Setting up a Windows Print Server involves layered steps from software installation to user group configuration. By following this guide, you can ensure an efficient, centralized printer management system that caters to all users in your organization. As a result, you not only enhance productivity but also grant yourself peace of mind, knowing that printing resources are being utilized effectively and securely.
In the world of IT administration, setup tasks might feel daunting, but with clarity, patience, and the right steps, the process becomes more manageable. Here's to smoother printing operations ahead!

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Source: The Windows Club How to setup Windows Print Server and deploy printers

 

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Setting up Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) on a Windows Server might sound like a daunting task, but it's a crucial step to safeguard your IT environment against modern cyber threats. Microsoft’s Defender ATP is a robust endpoint security solution that monitors, detects, and responds to security threats in real-time. It's valuable in any scenario where centralized threat protection and rapid incident response are of utmost importance.

What is Windows Defender ATP?​

Before jumping into the setup, let’s unpack what Windows Defender ATP does and why it’s important. Imagine having a vigilant security officer who doesn’t sleep, tracking digital footprints and constantly scanning for suspicious behavior. Defender ATP does just that but for your network endpoints – think laptops, servers, and mobile devices. It combines behavioral analysis, machine learning, and threat intelligence to detect threats ranging from subtle ransomware activities to targeted hacking attempts.
Key benefits include:

• Threat Analytics: Insights about emerging threats.
• Behavioral Sensors: Continuous endpoint monitoring.
• Incident Response Tools: Tools for forensic investigation and remediation.
• Comprehensive Dashboard: A centralized portal for viewing alerts, incidents, and compliance data.

Now that you know what it offers, let’s dive into setting it up step-by-step.

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Step 1: Configuring Endpoints​

Endpoints are the starting point for implementing Windows Defender ATP. These are physical or virtual devices like servers and individual workstations within your network that need protection.

• Access the Security Center:
  Start by logging into Sign in to your account. This is your central hub for monitoring activity and configuring policies.
• Initiate Configuration:
• In the portal, click on the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) and navigate to Endpoints.
• You’ll be greeted with a “Welcome to Microsoft Defender” screen. Click Get Started.
• Add Users and Recipients:
  Assign roles to your team members who will manage these powers. You can also specify email recipients who will receive threat notifications.
• Choose Onboarding Method:
  Microsoft offers several flexible onboarding options depending on your infrastructure:
• Configuration Manager: Ideal for large networks with centralized control.
• Microsoft Intune: Suitable for cloud-managed devices.
• Local Script: Best for small-scale deployments or testing.
• Download and Apply Settings:
• Select your preferred method and download an onboarding package.
• This ZIP file will contain the scripts you’ll use for onboarding devices – don’t forget to extract it into an accessible folder.
• Fine-Tune Endpoint Configurations:
  After onboarding, you can revisit Settings > Endpoints to tweak policies such as email alerts, notification rules, and license evaluation. This flexibility allows you to adapt endpoints to your organization’s specific needs.

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Step 2: Download the Onboarding Script​

Whether you're testing Defender ATP or rolling it out to production, downloading the onboarding script is crucial. This script is the gateway for connecting your devices to the Microsoft Defender ATP cloud platform.

• Navigate to Admin Center:
  Go to https://admin.microsoft.com and select All admin centers. Find Microsoft Defender ATP and open it.
• Locate Onboarding Options:
  Click on the gear icon (settings) and head over to Endpoints > Device Management. In the Onboarding section:
• Select your device operating system (e.g., Windows Server, Windows 10).
• Choose Local Script (if targeting under 10 devices) or configure for mass deployment if needed.
• Download & Prepare the Package:
• Download the ZIP package.
• Once saved locally, extract the file so it’s ready for use in the onboarding process.

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Step 3: Onboard Devices Using Local Script​

Local scripts provide a manual yet straightforward way to onboard individual devices. This approach works for smaller networks or for trial purposes before going full-scale.

• Locate Your Script:
  After extracting the onboarding ZIP file, navigate to where the content was saved.
• Run the Script:
• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Use the cd command to navigate to the folder containing the extracted script. For example:
  

  bash
  
       cd C:\Users\YourUser\Desktop\OnboardingFolder\

• Execute the script by typing:
  

  bash
  
       WindowsDefenderATPLocalOnboardingScript.cmd

• Confirm Installation:
  If prompted, type Y to confirm installation. Once complete, the script will connect your server/device to Microsoft Defender ATP.
• Run a Detection Test:
  Use PowerShell to execute a detection test. Copy the detection command from the onboarding instructions and run it directly in an elevated PowerShell session. A successful test will let you see alerts appear in the Defender Security Center.

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Verification: Is Defender ATP Properly Installed?​

You’ve followed the steps, but how can you confirm the onboarding was successful? Here’s the quick checklist:

• Registry Check for Defender ATP:
  Open Registry Editor, and navigate to:
  

     HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Advanced Threat Protection\Status

  Verify that the OnboardingState is set to 1. This indicates the device has successfully connected to the Defender service.
• View Portal Data:
  Log back into the Microsoft Defender Security Center. Connected devices and their health will be visible under the Endpoints dashboard.

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Pro Tip: Disable Threat Protection if Required​

If there’s ever a need to temporarily disable ATP:

• Open Windows Security from the Start Menu.
• Navigate to Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings.
• Toggle off Real-time protection. Note that this should only be temporary in controlled scenarios like troubleshooting false positives.

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Real-World Implications of Defender ATP​

Microsoft Defender ATP is more than just an antivirus solution; it’s a platform that sets you up to detect the most sophisticated attacks. For instance:

• Ransomware Defense: Behavioral analytics can recognize encryption patterns and halt ransomware before it spreads.
• Zero-Day Protection: Using machine learning, Defender ATP can block unknown threats even before they are universally recognized.

It’s invaluable in today’s threat landscape, where attackers rely on endpoint vulnerabilities as entry points into larger systems.

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Wrapping Up​

Setting up Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection on Windows Server is not just about installing a tool—it’s about plugging into an ecosystem that actively protects against the evolving threat landscape. With automated threat intelligence, you’re essentially arming your IT team with a powerful toolkit that doesn't miss a beat.
Taking a proactive approach to endpoint protection is the need of the hour, especially when cybercriminals aren't calling it quits anytime soon. So, roll up your sleeves, follow the steps, and take your first step towards fortified endpoint security. Happy defending!

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Source: The Windows Club How to setup Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) on Windows Server