topic Printer app not appearing in Virtual Machine settings - Windows XP in VMware Fusion Discussions

Printer app not appearing in Virtual Machine settings - Windows XP

togo109 — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:26:37 GMT

After I upgraded to Fusion 13.5, I lost my virtual printer connections (to the ones on the host). When I tried to configure a printer, I went to Virtual Machine -> Settings in the XP VM. There was no Printer app there. What happened?

I am on a Mac Book Pro running Ventura.

Re: Printer app not appearing in Virtual Machine settings - Windows XP

ColoradoMarmot — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 16:22:30 GMT

Thin print has been removed. You'll need to use network printing.

Re: Printer app not appearing in Virtual Machine settings - Windows XP

Technogeezer — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 16:39:14 GMT

The cause is buried in the Fusion 13.5 release notes that nobody takes the time to read but really should.. Fusion 13.5 dropped ThinPrint/Virtual Printing.

You'll need to use more traditional methods of configuring the printer in the VM as you would for a physical system. In particular if you're using Bridged networking, any networked printers should be seen by the guest. For NAT networking, you'll have to resort to knowing the IP address of the printer and configuring that,. Or for more modern Windows and Linux systems enable printer sharing for the printers you wish to use on the Ventura host.

Re: Printer app not appearing in Virtual Machine settings - Windows XP

togo109 — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 17:11:36 GMT

So I have my network set up for NAT. I try to install a network printer in my Guest (Windows XP) by entering the IP address (http://xxx.xxx.x.xxx). I get a message that Wndows cannot install the printer because it's either an error in the address or the printer has disconnected.

Suggestions?

Re: Printer app not appearing in Virtual Machine settings - Windows XP

ColoradoMarmot — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 20:35:33 GMT

Windows XP has extremely rudimentary network printing support, and you're going to run into all sorts of SSL and certificate issues. You're probably going to be better off printing to PDF in the guest, dragging to the host, and then printing the PDF from there.

I believe (it's been 20+ years) you'll have to install a separate print to PDF capability.

Re: Printer app not appearing in Virtual Machine settings - Windows XP

togo109 — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 21:06:17 GMT

Thank you for this clear explanation. I can and do print to PDF (I have Adobe Acrobat on XP) and can then print from my host. I am definitely on borrowed time using XP but I have one ancient app that won't run on a higher Windows OS than XP. It's a real dinosaur but it fits my need just perfectly - and no monthly fees for a web based app.

When it stops working, I guess I'll have to retire. Hopefully Fusion continues to support an XP VM.