Changing shared printer settings to default to greyscale

I am using Window Server 2003R2 as a print server. Configuring these printing defaults will only work for users that print via the print server -- direct printing will not be affected. The defaults will not force the users to print BW, color can still be selected, it will only default to BW.

• Open the printer's properties on the server.
• Select the 'Advanced' tab.
• Click the 'Printing Defaults' button.
• Configure driver options as desired for defaults.
• Click 'OK' on the Printing Defaults window.
• Click 'OK' on the printer's properties window.

The key may be to configure the permissions on the printer object to deny users the ability to manage the printer. Then set the defaults the way you need and see if it works.

If you have a color printer available to employees, it gets expensive.

With similar issues the only way we can get around it is to have another printer set as their default that only does B&W, and train users to use that printer for things that don't require color. Otherwise I haven't found a reliable way to prevent a color printer from being used as a color printer.

Solution-get a second printer, set up employees to use it by default, and train them when it's appropriate to use the other printer manually. You're working against the purpose of the printer to try forcing it to be a B&W type of printer to save money after getting it.

I usually just install two printers for them: "<printer name> B&W" and set that as the default; I'll install another printer (same printer, different settings) and call it "<printername> Color". Haven't had an issue doing it this way.