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Microsoft Windows Print Comparison XP vs. Vista

Security Level: Public Date Written/Updated: 01-Feb-2007/02-May-2007 Document Summary Compare the print driver features between Windows XP and Vista operating systems. Explain that the Vista drivers are based on the HP Universal Print Driver.

Windows XP and Vista are nearly identical

With the release of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, the HP print driver structure is uniform and nearly identical to the Windows XP driver structure. The following comparison of Device Settings and driver tabs illustrates similarities and differences between operating systems.

Keys to the Vista print drivers

The HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) is the primary building block of the HP drivers built into Windows Vista. When using Add a printer in Vista, most HP printing devices are installed with a print driver that is built around the UPD. What does this mean? The UPD uses a query method to install a permanent instance of a driver. When a printing device is added, the reality is that the UPD has added a permanent instance

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of the device. Open the Printers folder and you will see that device. All functions of the UPD reside within the driver. This type of driver is known as a UPD traditional mode-based driver. Not all drivers in Vista are supported by the UPD. These few products have product-specific drivers included in Vista. They are: o o o o o HP LaserJet II Series HP LaserJet III Series HP LaserJet 4 Series HP LaserJet 5 Series HP LaserJet 6 Series

What are the drivers available for Vista?

Driver Drivers in Vista Vista product-specific driver Windows XP productspecific driver Detail These are the UPD-based drivers included with the Windows Vista operating system. This is the PCL 5, PCL 6, or PS driver for a specific product, such as the HP LaserJet M5035 MFP. This is the PCL 5, PCL 6, or PS driver for specific product, such as the HP LaserJet M5035 MFP. In most cases, you may use this type of driver if there is not a Vista driver available. Use the most recent release of the UPD. Latest UPD driver Use this driver in the absence of a product-specific driver. Future releases of the UPD will provide more functionality. Note: The drivers for the operating systems Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, XP, and Vista have files that make the drivers interchangeable between operating systems. The only difference is the appearance of the checkbox that identifies the operating system.

Where can I get a print driver?

HP web site: Posts new drivers by product for each driver release. Go to www.hp.com Software and Driver Downloads for either the UPD or product-specific drivers. Microsoft driver update site: Microsoft posts new drivers to a web site for each driver release. The site is: www.microsoft.com Windows Vista Downloads Software Updates. Windows Vista operating system: The HP drivers in Vista are primarily UPD-based drivers.

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The following screen shots might vary depending on the product used. These screen shots are intended to show you the similarities between Vista and XP. Device Settings Windows XP
Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Differences: Installable Options

Features
Installable Options Accessory Output Bin Automatic Configuration Tray 1 Tray X Duplex Unit Printer Memory Printer Hard Disk Job Storage Mopier Mode

Windows XP
UPD Product-specific driver X X X X X X X X X

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver X X X Product-specific driver X X X X X X X X X

X X X X

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General Windows XP
Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

What is behind the Options tab?

This is the Options tab in the Windows XP Print dialog box.

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Advanced tab Windows XP

Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Differences: Printer Features

Document Options
Printer Features Edge-To-Edge Alternative Letterhead Mode Print All Text as Black Send True Type as Bitmap Graphics Mode Device Render Type

Windows XP
UPD Product-specific driver X X X X X

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver Product-specific driver X X X X X

X X X X

X X X

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Printing Shortcuts tab This tab exists only in the Windows Vista product-specific driver.

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Paper/Quality tab Windows XP

Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Differences Print Quality: The UPD/UPD-based drivers have different selections available from the product-specific drivers. o o UPD/UPD-based: Resolution settings of 600 dpi and 300 dpi. Product-specific: Economode check box.

The product-specific driver in Vista does not have Print Task Quick Sets because those settings reside on the Printing Shortcuts tab.

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Effects tab Windows XP

Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Difference The product-specific driver in Vista does not have Print Task Quick Sets because those settings reside on the Printing Shortcuts tab.

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Finishing tab Windows XP

Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Difference The product-specific driver in Vista does not have Print Task Quick Sets because those settings reside on the Printing Shortcuts tab.

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Output tab Windows XP

Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Differences There is no Output tab for the UPD-based driver in Vista. The product-specific driver in Vista does not have Print Task Quick Sets because those settings reside on the Printing Shortcuts tab.

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Job Storage tab Windows XP

Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Difference The product-specific driver in Vista does not have Print Task Quick Sets because those settings reside on the Printing Shortcuts tab.

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Services tab Windows XP

Using HP UPD v2.0

Windows Vista
UPD-based driver in Vista (Traditional mode)

Using a product-specific driver

Not Applicable

Difference The Vista product-specific driver has a Device Services section. The product-specific driver in XP does not have a Services tab.

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Vista does not support these HP LaserJet devices This table does not include InkJet-technology devices. Monochrome
HP LaserJet HP LaserJet Plus HP LaserJet 500 Plus HP LaserJet 3100 AiO HP LaserJet 3150 AiO HP 9085mfp HP LaserJet 2000 (1987)

Color
HP Color LaserJet HP Color LaserJet 1500 HP Color 9850mfp

Document Attributes Author: IPG Technical Marketing Product Models: All supported HP LaserJets

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