Can't Re-install MS Print to PDF

Anonymous
2022-06-29T17:12:24+00:00

This printer recently disappeared.

When I try to re-install using Add a printer/Add manually/Choose a Printer Port/PortPrompt: (Local port) MS Print to PDF Version 10.0.17763.1 (2006-06-21) shows up as a choice. Error message "The system cannot find the file specified".

Using "Have Disk" and navigating to System32/spool/tools/MS Print to PDF brings up prnms009.inf (2022-05-06), but error message says: "The system cannot find the file specified".

The same happens when I use other printer port choices.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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Ramesh 182K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2022-07-06T14:52:00+00:00

Hi,

Ok. I got the two folder names from your screenshot. A registry key needs to be fixed that should resolve the PDF printer installation error.

Please try the steps listed under "Fix the NTPrint.INF Registry Branch" in this article.

The two folder names you need to use (in Step 13 of the tutorial) are:

  • ntprint.inf_x86_09386a5bbd47625a
  • ntprint.inf_amd64_09386a5bbd47625a

Note that you need to run Command Prompt under the SYSTEM (Local System) account as indicated in that article. It's because user accounts don't have write access to that key by default.

Hope that helps. Let me know.

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-07-03T15:41:54+00:00

    Hi Ramesh:

    Deviceinstall is set to "automatic" startup type, and is currently stopped (after morning startup). It starts and stops as expected from MMC.

    Running net start deviceinstall shows ". . . service was started successfully" . Device Install Service Properties show it as running, but MMC does not show it as running. Using MMC to restart/stop the service does change the status from Running to "<blank>".

    As to the other services:

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  3. Ramesh 182K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-07-06T09:44:54+00:00

    Hi K E Ohrn,

    One last request, i think. :-) Appreciate your patience.

    From a Command Prompt window, run these commands:

    • cd /d "C:\WINDOWS\system32\DriverStore\FileRepository"
    • dir ntprint.inf /s /a > %userprofile%\desktop\log.txt
    • pnputil /enum-drivers >> %userprofile%\desktop\log.txt

    Please upload the log.txt file located on your desktop.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-07-06T14:20:21+00:00

    Hi Ramesh:

    An oddity with the Community software. I receive e-mail notification of your replies, but on the Community board, your replies are missing or different than the e-mail. Example attached, along with results.

    https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnNmWdcEncDOkKVRA2tUu5ucPkJo8w?e=C2gYYX https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnNmWdcEncDOkKVQjiXQWk4h6AAJcw?e=lNoT5i

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