Preventing TCP/IP to WSD Port Conversion after upgrading to Windows 10

Issue description

After upgrading a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 operating system (OS) to Windows 10, all TCP/IP print queues are updated to Web Services Device (WSD).

Note:  Windows 10 drivers may not be immediately available. In the meantime, you may use Windows 8 or 8.1 driver packages for Windows 10 supported printers.

Explanation

Print Driver Behavior

This is a Windows 10 operating system behavior designed by Microsoft. All TCP/IP queues for print drivers will be migrated to WSD queues if the OS detects that a WSD port is available; i.e., the connected device is WSD-capable. All custom driver settings are retained after port conversion.

Scan Driver Behavior

For a WIA scan driver connected over TCP/IP, two scan drivers will be available after the OS upgrade:

• A WIA scan driver connected over TCP/IP port
• A WSD scan driver connected over WSD port

Exceptions

The TCP/IP port will not be converted to WSD if more than one print queue (e.g., v3 or v4 drivers) is connected to the TCP/IP port during the OS upgrade.

Solution

To prevent port conversion from TCP/IP to WSD, create the following value in Windows 7 or 8.1 registry prior to upgrading to Windows 10. To do so:

To open the Registry Editor, click on Start > type regedit, and then click on Regedit.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\QueueMigrationPreventOnUpgradeREG_DWORD1

Note:  This value will be removed from the registry once it is processed and the upgrade is completed. Click here to view Microsoft's article for more information.

Warning—Potential Damage:  This procedure requires editing of the Windows registry. Editing the registry should be done by advanced users only. Incorrect use of Registry Editor can cause serious instability to the operating system. Lexmark is not responsible for incorrect use of Registry Editor.