We have been having an issue at work with installing a network printer on our computers. The easiest way would be to plug in directly, but that isn't really an option. We found this solution below: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/windows-was-unable-to-get-a-list-of-devices-from/d396d3e0-f5f4-49ef-b2d1-e4bb0831a0f2?page=3&tm=1338466188671#footer Essentially what you will be doing is deleting the Software Distribution Folder. Then after it renews itself, WU should be functional. 1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del) 2. Click Services Tab 3. Under Name find "wuauserv" 4. Right click on "wuauserv" and click on Stop Service. do not close 5. Open Window Explorer and browse to C:\Windows 6. Delete the Folder "SoftwareDistribution" 7. Go back to the Task Manager, Right click on "wuauserv" and click on Start Service. The problem with this is you have to do this for each printer you want installed, and it is only a one-time fix. I was wondering if there is a permanent fix to this, or if it is just something Microsoft messed up and needs to fix?

Hello there, Is there any output messages when you are performing that action (adding the network printer)? Have you checked Event Viewer? Also, are you doing this by browsing some SMB share, like \\servername\printername? Windows Update would have no influence on this, since the Print Server should have a driver for it, or are you using it (WU) to get a driver for your printer? Best regards,

Try prestaging the print driver pnputil.exe -i -a "Driver.inf"

We are using it to find the driver, since it is not listed in ones in Windows 7 in the initial list. When we click 'Windows Update' to refresh the list of drivers, it says it was unable to retrieve the list. The steps above make it work once, but then it gets the error after that one time. And since it happens at work and at home, it almost has to be something on Windows' end.

Try prestaging the print driver pnputil.exe -i -a "Driver.inf"

If I understand this issue, I see that it is similar to one I have been experiencing. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproinstall/thread/c6b0c81e-f6c5-4c22-b581-eb0d455a738d Its not really a printer issue. This happens on every computer when installing any printer. Try it on yours. Go to the Devices and Printers and pretend to install a Printer by using the Windows Update. It will work once, but the next time you try it, expect it to fail. I need it to work more than once; I agree with JVandy, we really just need a solution to this issue.

If I understand this issue, I see that it is similar to one I have been experiencing. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproinstall/thread/c6b0c81e-f6c5-4c22-b581-eb0d455a738d Its not really a printer issue. This happens on every computer when installing any printer. Try it on yours. Go to the Devices and Printers and pretend to install a Printer by using the Windows Update. It will work once, but the next time you try it, expect it to fail. I need it to work more than once; I agree with JVandy, we really just need a solution to this issue.

Hi, Please try the following Microsoft Fixit and check if it can help you. Fix the problem with Microsoft Windows Update that is not working http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/ Hope this helps. Jeremy Wu TechNet Community Support

Hi, Please try the following Microsoft Fixit and check if it can help you. Fix the problem with Microsoft Windows Update that is not working http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/ Hope this helps. Jeremy Wu TechNet Community Support

There is an update to the Windows update. Its supposed to improve some certs and such. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104 Looks like Windows had temporarily created an issue before pushing this update. gone fishing;you can find me on the internet

There is an update to the Windows update. Its supposed to improve some certs and such. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104 Looks like Windows had temporarily created an issue before pushing this update. gone fishing;you can find me on the internet