Windows Err Msg: Maximum Number of Printers Already Installed (69840)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q69840

SUMMARY

The Printers option in Control Panel allows a maximum of 15 printer drivers to be installed. If you reach this limit, the following message is displayed:
Maximum number of printers already installed
During Windows installation, there is a limit of eight printer drivers that can be installed. However, after initial setup, you can install a total of 15 printer drivers. An attempt to install more than 15 results in the message noted above.

MORE INFORMATION

The above error message can also be caused by a corrupted WIN.INI file. For instructions about how to rebuild the WIN.INI file, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

create and win.ini and without and third-party

You can install more than 15 printers by choosing the Add button and selecting Unlisted Printer Or Updated Printer in the List Of Printers box.

Microsoft cannot guarantee the reliability of Windows if more than 15 printers are installed. If the WIN.INI file exceeds the maximum size, you may experience system crashes or data loss. In addition, some third-party Windows-based applications may not be able to handle large WIN.INI files, or may cause general protection (GP) faults because of the excessively large [PrinterPorts] section.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB69840
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.