10 Windows 2019 Print Server Best Practices

Windows 2019 Print Server is a powerful tool for managing and sharing printers in a network. It is a great way to ensure that all users have access to the same printers and that the printers are managed in an efficient manner. However, there are some best practices that should be followed when setting up and managing a Windows 2019 Print Server.

In this article, we will discuss 10 best practices for setting up and managing a Windows 2019 Print Server. We will cover topics such as setting up the server, configuring the printers, and managing the print jobs. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your Windows 2019 Print Server is running smoothly and efficiently.

1. Use the Print Management Console

The Print Management Console is a powerful tool that allows you to manage all of your printers from one central location. It also provides an easy way to deploy printer drivers, configure printer settings, and monitor print jobs.

Using the Print Management Console can help reduce administrative overhead by streamlining the process of managing multiple printers. Additionally, it helps ensure that all of your printers are configured correctly and running optimally. Finally, it makes troubleshooting easier since you can quickly identify any issues with specific printers or print jobs.

2. Install Windows Server 2019 on a physical server

Physical servers are more reliable than virtual machines, and they provide better performance. They also have a longer lifespan, which means you won’t need to upgrade as often. Additionally, physical servers can be configured with multiple hard drives for redundancy, ensuring that your data is safe in the event of a hardware failure. Finally, physical servers offer greater control over security settings, allowing you to customize them to meet your organization’s specific needs.

3. Create a print server cluster for high availability

A print server cluster is a group of two or more servers that are configured to share the same resources. This allows for increased reliability and scalability, as well as improved performance. If one of the servers in the cluster fails, the other can take over its duties without any interruption in service. Additionally, if you need to add additional printers or increase the number of users accessing the system, it’s easy to do so with a clustered environment.

4. Enable printer pooling to reduce costs and improve efficiency

Printer pooling allows multiple printers to be connected to a single print server, which reduces the number of physical servers needed and helps reduce costs. It also improves efficiency by allowing users to access multiple printers from one location, reducing the need for them to move around the office or building to find the printer they need. Additionally, it can help improve security since all printers are managed through a single server, making it easier to monitor and control access to sensitive documents.

5. Set up multiple printers with identical configurations

Having multiple printers with identical configurations allows you to easily switch between them if one of the printers fails or needs maintenance. This also makes it easier for users to find and use the printer they need, as they will be familiar with the setup regardless of which printer they are using. Additionally, having multiple printers with identical configurations ensures that all print jobs are printed in the same way, ensuring consistent quality across all prints.

6. Disable bi-directional printing

Bi-directional printing is a feature that allows the printer to communicate back to the computer, such as sending status messages or requesting additional information. While this can be useful in some cases, it also opens up your system to potential security risks. By disabling bi-directional printing, you reduce the attack surface of your print server and help protect against malicious actors. Additionally, disabling bi-directional printing can improve performance by reducing the amount of data sent between the printer and the computer.

7. Change the default spool folder location

By default, the spool folder is located in C:\Windows\System32\spool. This location can quickly become filled with large print jobs and cause performance issues on your server.

To avoid this issue, you should change the spool folder location to a different drive or partition that has more space available. To do this, open the Print Management console, right-click on the printer, select Properties, and then click Advanced. From there, you can specify a new spool folder location.

8. Optimize your print servers for performance

Print servers are responsible for managing the printing process, and if they’re not optimized properly, it can lead to slow print jobs, printer errors, and other issues. To ensure optimal performance, you should regularly check your server’s hardware resources (CPU, RAM, etc.), as well as its software configuration. Additionally, make sure that all of your printers are connected correctly and that their drivers are up-to-date. Finally, consider using a third-party monitoring tool to keep an eye on your print server’s performance.

9. Monitor your print servers regularly

Print servers are responsible for managing the printing needs of an organization, and if they aren’t monitored regularly, it can lead to a number of issues. For example, if your print server is not running optimally, it could cause slowdowns in printing or even complete outages. Additionally, if you don’t monitor your print server, you won’t be able to detect any security threats that may arise.

By monitoring your print server regularly, you’ll be able to identify any potential problems before they become serious. You should also make sure to keep your print server up-to-date with the latest patches and updates. This will help ensure that your print server remains secure and reliable.

10. Keep your print drivers updated

Outdated drivers can cause a variety of issues, from slow printing to printer errors. Keeping your print drivers up-to-date ensures that you have the latest features and bug fixes available for your printers.

To keep your print drivers updated, you should regularly check with the manufacturer’s website for any new updates or patches. You can also use Windows Update to automatically download and install driver updates. Additionally, you can use third-party software such as Driver Booster to scan for outdated drivers and update them in one click.