Portable Redirect All RDP Printers for Remote Workflows

How to Portable Redirect All RDP Printers SecurelyRemote Desktop Protocol (RDP) printer redirection lets users print to local or network printers from a remote session. “Portable redirect” in this context means enabling printer redirection in environments where users move between devices (laptops, USB hubs, kiosks) or where printers are not permanently installed—while keeping the process secure, reliable, and manageable. This article covers why portable RDP printer redirection matters, how it works, security risks, step-by-step secure configuration, troubleshooting tips, and recommended tools and policies.

Why portable RDP printer redirection matters

• Enables users to print from remote applications to a physically nearby printer without installing drivers on the remote server.
• Improves user productivity for mobile workers, field staff, and hot-desk environments.
• Reduces IT overhead by avoiding permanent server-side driver installations and simplifies printer access when users move between endpoints.

How RDP printer redirection works (overview)

RDP printer redirection forwards the client-side printer devices into the remote session. The remote host receives virtual printer objects that map to the client’s local printers. When redirection is enabled, the remote session either:

• Uses the client’s printer drivers (easy but can require driver compatibility), or
• Uses a universal driver on the server that translates print jobs into a device-agnostic format.

Common mechanisms:

• RDP Easy Print (Microsoft): a driverless method that uses a universal printing driver and requires the Remote Desktop Services Easy Print feature.
• Printer driver redirection: maps the actual client driver into the session; can require matching drivers on server and client.

Security risks to consider

• Driver vulnerabilities: third-party drivers on the client or server can contain exploitable code.
• Data leakage: print jobs may traverse network segments not intended for sensitive documents.
• Man-in-the-middle or interception: if channels between client and remote host are not properly protected, print data could be exposed.
• Unauthorized device access: automatically redirected printers could enable unexpected local access to sensitive virtual desktops.

Mitigation principles: limit driver trust, encrypt channels, isolate print data, and enforce policies for which printers can be redirected.

Prerequisites & planning

1. Inventory printer types, drivers, and use cases for mobile users.
2. Confirm Remote Desktop Services and RDP clients support Easy Print or universal drivers.
3. Ensure servers run supported OS versions and have latest security updates.
4. Assess whether users need full printer redirection or selective redirection (e.g., only authenticated/whitelisted printers).
5. Plan Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and endpoint configurations to enforce secure settings.

Secure configuration steps (Windows server & clients)

1. Use RDP Easy Print wherever possible

   • Ensure the .NET Framework and Remote Desktop Services Easy Print are enabled on the server.
   • Easy Print avoids installing third-party drivers on servers and reduces attack surface.

2. Enforce TLS encryption for RDP sessions

   • Configure RDP to require Network Layer Authentication (NLA).
   • Enable TLS 1.2+ for remote desktop services and disable older protocols (SSLv3, TLS 1.0/1.1).
   • Use valid server certificates (not self-signed) from an internal CA or trusted public CA where appropriate.

3. Limit printer redirection via Group Policy

   • Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Remote Desktop Services → Remote Desktop Session Host → Printer Redirection: disable “Do not allow client printer redirection” appropriately or enable selective policies.
   • Use the policy “Redirect only the default client printer” if full redirection is unnecessary.
   • Use “Disallow LPT and COM port redirection” and similar to reduce peripheral attack surface.

4. Whitelist or restrict redirected printers

   • Create endpoint policies that only allow known/managed printer models to be redirected.
   • Use device classes and driver signing enforcement to block unsigned or unapproved drivers.

5. Use Universal Print Drivers or server-side PDF print redirection

   • Where possible, standardize on Microsoft Easy Print or a vendor-supplied universal driver that converts output to a neutral format, preventing driver explosions on servers.
   • Alternatively, configure server-side conversion to PDF and let users download/print locally, so raw printer data is not tunneled.

6. Harden endpoints and servers

   • Ensure endpoints (laptops, kiosks) have up-to-date OS, antivirus, and device encryption.
   • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege for user accounts and service accounts used by RDP services.
   • Limit local administrative rights and restrict who may install printers or drivers.

7. Monitor and log printer activity

   • Enable auditing on Remote Desktop Session Hosts for printer redirection events.
   • Capture print job metadata and logs (job owner, filename, time) and forward to SIEM for anomaly detection.
   • Maintain visibility over which endpoints perform frequent or large print operations.

8. Network segmentation and secure transport

   • Route print traffic through secure, internal networks when possible.
   • If remote users are external, enforce VPN or secured RDP gateway (Remote Desktop Gateway) and inspect egress for sensitive content.
   • Use IP whitelisting and firewall rules to restrict which clients can access RDP endpoints.

9. Mobile and BYOD considerations

   • Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) to enforce printer redirection policies and ensure endpoint compliance.
   • Require device attestation or posture checks before allowing printer redirection.
   • Consider conditional access policies that permit redirection only from compliant devices.

Troubleshooting common issues

• Printers not appearing: ensure client-side “Printers” redirection setting is enabled in the RDP client; check Group Policy blocking.
• Driver mismatch errors: switch to Easy Print or install matching drivers on the server.
• Poor print quality or formatting issues: validate universal driver support for specific features (duplex, trays) or fallback to native driver for those endpoints.
• Slow printing: check network bottlenecks, large documents, or server CPU constraints converting print jobs; consider local printing via temporary file download.
• Security alerts for unsigned drivers: enforce driver signing and replace problematic drivers with vendor-signed or universal drivers.

Tools and solutions to consider

• Microsoft Remote Desktop Services with Easy Print (cost-effective, vendor-agnostic).
• Print management platforms (e.g., PrinterLogic, PaperCut) that support secure redirection, driver management, and auditing.
• Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) for secure external access.
• Endpoint MDM/UEBA for posture checks before allowing redirection.

Policy examples (concise)

• Users may redirect printers only from devices enrolled in MDM and passing posture checks.
• Only printers with signed drivers and on an approved model list may be redirected.
• All RDP traffic must use TLS 1.2+ and be routed through RD Gateway for external clients.
• Print job metadata must be retained for 90 days and monitored for anomalies.

Checklist for secure portable printer redirection

• [ ] Easy Print enabled and tested
• [ ] TLS/NLA enforced on RDP hosts
• [ ] GPO policies configured to restrict/whitelist redirection
• [ ] Server and endpoint drivers standardized or replaced with universal drivers
• [ ] Endpoints enrolled in MDM and posture checks enabled
• [ ] Auditing and SIEM integration for print jobs
• [ ] RD Gateway or VPN used for external access

Portable RDP printer redirection provides mobile users with essential printing capabilities, but without controls it can expose organizations to driver vulnerabilities, data leakage, and compliance risks. By using driverless printing (Easy Print), enforcing TLS/NLA, restricting which printers can be redirected, hardening endpoints, and monitoring print activity, you can give users portable printing without compromising security.