Information
For a computer to print to a shared printer, the driver for that shared printer must be installed on the local computer.
This security setting determines who is allowed to install a printer driver as part of connecting to a shared printer.
The recommended state for this setting is: 'Enabled'.
Note: This setting does not affect the ability to add a local printer.
This setting does not affect Administrators.
Rationale:
It may be appropriate in some organizations to allow users to install printer drivers on their own workstations.
However, in a high security environment, you should allow only Administrators, not users, to do this, because printer driver installation may unintentionally cause the computer to become less stable.
A malicious user could install inappropriate printer drivers in a deliberate attempt to damage the computer, or a user might accidentally install malicious software that masquerades as a printer driver.
It is feasible for an attacker to disguise a Trojan horse program as a printer driver.
The program may appear to users as if they must use it to print, but such a program could unleash malicious code on your computer network.
Solution
To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to 'Enabled':
Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Devices: Prevent users from installing printer drivers
Impact:
Only Administrators will be able to install a printer driver as part of connecting to a shared printer.
The ability to add a local printer will not be affected.