Microsoft also recommends an alternative solution, which is uninstalling and reinstalling the printer driver using an account with administrative privileges. You can also use these workarounds to protect your device against the vulnerability, but you may lose printing functionality until a permanent fix release through Windows Update. If you use a Zebra-branded printer, you can also contact the manufacturer for additional assistance.

Once you complete the steps, the update will be installed, and the device will revert to the previous build, resolving the printing issues with the update. Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central) However, after an investigation regarding the effectiveness of the update, Microsoft claims (opens in new tab) that the 'security update is working as designed and is effective against the known printer spooling exploits and other public reports collectively being referred to as PrintNightmare.' The company also recommends that after applying the update to check the Registry to confirm the settings are set 0 (zero) to keep the device secure. If that wasn't enough, some users seemed to have tried to work around the patch by editing the default print settings using the Registry. In the meantime, the software giant recommends uninstalling the update or reinstalling the printer driver using an account with administrative privileges to address the issue. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, and it's working to provide a permanent fix in the coming days.

Although this has been affecting mainly Zebra printers, the problem is also affecting other brands. Shortly after releasing update KB5004945, a small number of users began to report that their printer stopped working after applying the patch.

Uninstall printer