Solution for the "Unable to install printer" "Operation could not be completed" problem.

Hi All,

FIRST, IF YOU ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH EDITING THE REGISTRY, PLEASE DON'T!...Make
a backup and get someone who is.

It seems like many people on many various forums have had the "Unable to
install printer" "Operation could not be completed" problem issue with no
resolution. It really does not matter whether it is Windows 2000, Windows
XP, or Windows 2003 Server. I personally had the issue with XP and 2003, but
it has clearly been around probably even pre-Windows 2000.

It may be caused due to the initial print driver having the same date as the
new driver, as per Microsoft KB article 835272, but I did not really attempt
to confirm that was the cause.

The solution is to delete the printer you suspect is the issue (you can do
one at a time until you find the culprit) then go to the
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Printers] registry key and delete the corresponding
printer there too, then re-install it.

I hope this helps someone.

Kevin Cotreau
MCSE+I, MCNE, et al.