Windows 7 / Getting Started

Migrating Print Servers Using PrintBRM

PrintBRM was introduced in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 to replace the Printmig.exe utility used in previous versions of Windows. PrintBRM allows an administrator to easily back up, restore, and migrate print queues, printer settings, printer ports, and language monitors. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 introduce some enhancements to PrintBRM that are designed to provide more flexibility and better instrumentation for the administrator. For more information concerning these enhancements, see the sidebar titled "Direct from the Source: Enhancements to PrintBRM in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2" in this tutorial.

To migrate print servers using PrintBRM from the command line, follow these steps:

  1. Open an elevated command prompt by clicking Start, pointing to All Programs, selecting Accessories, right-clicking Command Prompt, and then clicking Run As Administrator.
  2. To export the print server configuration to a file, type the following commands:
    cd %WinDir%\System32\Spool\Tools
    Printbrm -s \\print_server_name -b -f file_name.printerExport
  3. To import the previously saved print server configuration file, type the following command:
    Printbrm -s \\print_server_name -r -f file_name.printerExport
[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

In this tutorial:

  1. Managing Printing
  2. Enhancements to Printing in Windows 7
  3. Printing Enhancements Previously Introduced in Windows Vista
  4. Additional Printing Enhancements in Windows 7
  5. How Printing Works in Windows 7
  6. Understanding XPS
  7. Understanding the Windows Printing Subsystem
  8. Understanding Printer Driver Isolation
  9. Understanding the Print Management Console
  10. Enhancements to the Print Management Console in Windows 7
  11. The Print Management Console
  12. Adding and Removing Print Servers
  13. Configuring Default Security for Print Servers
  14. Adding Printers Using the Network Printer Installation Wizard
  15. Creating and Using Printer Filters
  16. Creating and Using Driver Filters
  17. Managing Printers Using Print Management
  18. Configuring Properties of Printers
  19. Publishing Printers in AD DS
  20. Managing Printer Drivers
  21. Configuring Printer Driver Isolation Mode
  22. Configuring Printer Driver Isolation Mode Using the Print Management Console
  23. Configuring Printer Driver Isolation Mode Using Group Policy
  24. Troubleshooting Driver Isolation
  25. Exporting and Importing Print Server Configurations
  26. Printer Export Files
  27. Performing Bulk Actions Using Print Management
  28. Client-Side Management of Printers
  29. Installing Printers Using the Add Printers Wizard
  30. Searching for Printers
  31. Installing Printers Using Point and Print
  32. Using Devices And Printers
  33. Using the Color Management CPL
  34. Managing Client-Side Printer Experience Using Group Policy
  35. Configuring the Add Printer Wizard
  36. Disable Client-Side Printer Rendering
  37. Configuring Package Point and Print Restrictions
  38. Extending Point and Print Using Windows Update
  39. Deploying Printers Using Group Policy
  40. Preparing to Deploy Printers
  41. Deploying a Printer Connection
  42. Limitations of Deploying Printers Using Group Policy
  43. Migrating Print Servers
  44. Migrate Print Servers Using Print Management
  45. Migrating Print Servers Using PrintBRM
  46. Monitoring and Troubleshooting Printers
  47. Configuring E-Mail Notifications
  48. Configuring Print Server Notifications
  49. Configuring Script Actions
  50. Configuring Detailed Event Logging