System.Drawing.Printing.PrinterSettings.InstalledPrinters is not getting network printer list

Question

Hi I am using System . Drawing . Printing . PrinterSettings . InstalledPrinters to get network printer list in WCF service hosted in IIS. But this is not giving network printer list . Same is giving network printer list if use in desktop application. I am using following code to get printer list using WCF service hosted in IIS. string [] installedPrinters = new string [ System . Drawing . Printing . PrinterSettings . InstalledPrinters . Count ]; System . Drawing . Printing . PrinterSettings . InstalledPrinters . CopyTo ( installedPrinters  0);

Vulpes · Answer

For IIS 5.1 which I think is the same as 5.0 in this respect I'd check out this link ( http://www.bluevisionsoftware.com/WebSite/TipsAndTricksDetails.aspx?Name=AspNetAccount ). As you'll see you need to change the element in machine.config to System (it should be Machine by default) for it to run under the LocalSystem account. However note that this will apply to all your IIS applications not just the present one which is not so good from a security standpoint.

yogesh sharma · Answer

The application pool has been supported in IIS6.0. I am using IIS 5.1 which does not have this support. As per the requirement I have to host WCF service on IIS 5.1 only. Can't we configure the account on IIS5.1?

Vulpes · Answer

As you only want to do this for your WCF service I think you'll need to create a new IIS application pool and configure that to run under the LocalSystem account. If you don't know how to do this already I found a link here ( http://www.developer.com/net/asp/article.php/2245511 ) which may help.

yogesh sharma · Answer

I have given full control to all groups or users of IIS using following method: Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Internet Information Services->Properties->Security. But still it is not working. Can you plase let me know to configure the account details on IIS?

Vulpes · Answer

If it's not working as a windows service with the Network Service account then that may explain why it's not working when hosted as a WCF service in IIS as I'd imagine that the latter is using the Network Service account by default. If so could you configure IIS to use the LocalSystem user account instead which of course has full access privileges?

yogesh sharma · Answer

Thanks Vulpes. I have tried below thread but this is also not working http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/Forums/Thread/128548/network-printers.aspx This problem is comming only in WCF service hosted on IIS. Same code is working with windows service only with user account. Also not working With Windows Service using localService NetworkService and LocalSystem accouns.

Vulpes · Answer

I've no idea why that doesn't work but there are other ways to get a list of network printers which might still work. Check out this thread: http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/Forums/Thread/128548/network-printers.aspx