Windows\system32\printui.exe access issue

Question

_{Friday, June 10, 2016 9:24 PM}

I upgraded Windows 7 Pro SP1 to Windows 10 Pro.  The PC is a member of a domain.

I cannot get the network printers installed.  (all HP)

When I click "Add Printer" I get "Searching for printers and scanners" with a continuous progress (the little running dots left to right).  The list does show all of the network printers but the progress dots don't stop.  Nothing happens when I click on a printer.

When I try to go through the "My printer that I want is not in the list" path I get an error that says:

C:\Windows\system32\printui.exe

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file.  You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.

I am a local machine admin.

The file does exist on the appropriate path.

I can run the file manually (though I don't know how to use it)

Ray

All replies (6)

_{Monday, June 13, 2016 9:42 AM ✅Answered}

Hi R Herring，

Based on your description, you are logging using a local administrator account.
Will it be fixed if you switch to domain user account?

Please refer to Mr Happy’s suggestion to scan your system components using “dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth” at first, please post the result back.
There are many reasons why this issue occurs, since you are able to run this file manually, this issue could be caused by some antivirus software.
Please temporarily disable your antivirus software.

In addition ,the process monitor tool should be useful to troubleshoot this issue.
Process Monitor v3.2
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/processmonitor.aspx
Solving Access Denied Errors Using Process Monitor
http://improve.dk/solving-access-denied-errors-using-process-monitor/

Best regards

Please mark the reply as an answer if you find it is helpful.

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_{Friday, June 10, 2016 10:22 PM}

Sounds like Windows is not working as expected. Try a system file check. Right click start choose Command Prompt (Admin). Enter;

sfc /scannow

May take 30 mins or so to complete, then reboot see if that helps. More info on that at System file check (SFC) Scan and Repair System Files & DISM to fix things SFC cannot (guide by Team ZigZag)

_{Tuesday, June 14, 2016 5:36 PM}

Thanks for the responses.

My domain admin stopped by and manually installed one of the printers using a TCP port.

I still don't know why the Add Printer wizard can't access printui.exe.

Ray

_{Wednesday, June 15, 2016 7:56 AM}

Hi R Herring,

Have you tried the above suggestions the have a test?
Please refer to the above suggestions to have a try at first.
Scan and restore the system components using DISM command and disable your antivirus software.

It is hard to know why the Add Printer wizard can't access printui.exe, but the process monitor tool should be useful to troubleshoot and analyzer this issue. Please check the links I post in above reply.

Best regards

Please mark the reply as an answer if you find it is helpful.

If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected]

_{Tuesday, January 8, 2019 4:35 PM | 3 votes}

I was able to replicate the issue.  The solution is to open Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers and add the printer that route.  The Windows 10 Settings UI is buggy and a lot of functionality that exists in the Control Panel is not in the new Settings menu yet. 

As of 01/08/2019, Microsoft still hasn't ported the functionality to one location, either Control Panel or Settings.  Adding Candy Crush, other crapware, and Xbox to Windows 10 Enterprise was a bigger priority.

_{Wednesday, April 10, 2019 12:14 PM}

This works! Thank you soooooo much. 

Sue