How Do I Create a Printer Migration File?

Creating a printer migration file allows you to export your current printer configurations and drivers to a file, making it easy to back up or move them to another computer or server. The process involves using the built-in Print Management tool in Windows.

Steps to Create a Printer Migration File

Follow these simple steps to generate a file containing your printer queues and drivers:

1. Open Print Management: Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter or click OK. This opens the Print Management console.
2. Initiate Migration: In the Print Management console, navigate the tree pane on the left. Click on Print Management. Then, from the top menu, click on Action, and select Migrate Printers….
3. Export Configuration: The Printer Migration Wizard will open. Choose the option Export printer queues and printer drivers to a file.
4. Follow Prompts: Click Next and follow the remaining on-screen prompts. You will be asked to select which printers and drivers you want to export and choose a location to save the migration file (.printerexport file).

Completing these steps will create the migration file containing your selected printer configurations.

Understanding the Printer Migration File

The file created during this process typically contains the settings and data necessary to recreate the printer setup on another system. This includes:

• Printer Queues: Information about the configured printers, their names, ports, shared status, security settings, etc.
• Printer Drivers: The necessary driver files required for the printers to function.

This file is specifically designed to be used with the "Import printer queues and printer drivers from a file" option within the same Printer Migration Wizard on the target computer or server.

Why Create a Printer Migration File?

Creating a printer migration file is a valuable process for several reasons:

• Backup: It serves as a backup of your printer configuration, which can be essential before system upgrades or changes.
• Migration: It simplifies moving printers from one print server or computer to another. Instead of manually adding each printer and installing drivers, you can import the configuration in one go.
• Disaster Recovery: In case of a system failure, having an exported file allows for quick restoration of printer services.
• Standardization: You can configure a set of printers on one machine and then easily replicate that setup on multiple other machines.

Utilizing the Print Management console and the Printer Migration Wizard is the standard and recommended method for managing printer configurations in a way that facilitates easy backup and transfer.