Introduction
PLEASE NOTE: While these instructions have been made publicly available, as of 3/1/24 the install of printers on Windows workstations using Microsoft Software Center tool is a work in progress. Only a limited set of printers is available at this time. Information Technology Services staff will be gradually adding printers into Software Center and making them available. Thank you for your patience.
This document provides step-by-step instructions on installing network printers that are published in Microsoft Software Center on RIC owned/managed Windows computers. In most scenarios, network printers published in Microsoft Software Center can be installed by users without administrative access or contacting the ITS Help Desk for support.
Requirements
The following requirements need to be met for a successful printer installation from Microsoft Software Center
- A RIC owned/managed computer. Personally owned computers do not have access to print to network printers.
- The computer must be running Windows 10 or later.
- The computer must be plugged into RIC wired/ethernet network connection. Printing is not available on the RIC-GUEST wi-fi network.
- The printer to be installed has been added to Microsoft Software Center by RIC ITS staff.
- The computer has been assigned to a Device Collection that provides access to install the printer from Microsoft Software Center by RIC ITS staff.
Instructions
1. Select the Start Menu. Then navigate to the Software Center icon that has been pinned, to open Microsoft Software Center.
Alternatively, type in Software Center in the search box, and select the Software Center application shown in the search results.
2. The Software Center application will open on the screen. Select Applications at the top left of the window. Then select Filters, and switch the filter to Printers.
3. A list of network printers will be displayed. Select a printer to install. Printers are listed by their network printer name. Network printer names are created based on the location of the printer, the department/office the printer is assigned to, and the make/model of the printer.
4. After selecting the network printer, additional details about the network printer are shown and an Install button appears. Select Install to begin the download and installation process.
5. During the install, the status will change, providing a visual cue that the install is in progress. A pop-up notification may also be displayed on the bottom right of the computer's screen near the clock.
6. When the installation is completed it will be displayed in Software Center.
7. To confirm the printer is installed, select the Start Menu, then select Settings, and then select Devices, and then select Printers & Scanners. The printer installed from the Software Center application should be listed in the Printers & Scanners settings window.
8. If the printer is not listed in Printers & Scanners, please restart the computer. After the computer restarts, check Printers & Scanners again, and it should be displayed and ready to print.