Disable RDP Printer Redirection Using Regedit

When users connect to a Windows server or workstation via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), local client printers are redirected by default, which can cause print spooler instability, driver conflicts, and unnecessary resource usage. Administrators can permanently disable RDP printer redirection across the system by modifying specific keys in the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit). This guide provides direct, step-by-step instructions to configure the registry to prevent client printers from mapping during remote sessions.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type regedit and press Enter (or click OK).
If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative privileges.

Step 2: Navigate to the Terminal Services Policy Key

In the left sidebar of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services

Note: If the Terminal Services key does not exist under Windows NT, right-click the Windows NT folder, select New > Key, and name it Terminal Services.

Step 3: Configure the `fDisableCpm` Value

Right-click on an empty space in the right pane of the Terminal Services key.
Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new value fDisableCpm and press Enter.
Double-click fDisableCpm, set the Value data to 1, and ensure the Base is set to Hexadecimal.
Click OK to save the changes.

(Setting fDisableCpm to 1 disables Client Printer Mapping. Setting it to 0 enables it.)

Step 4: (Optional) Apply to the RDP-Tcp WinStation Configuration

To ensure printer redirection is disabled directly at the protocol level, navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp

Locate the fDisableCpm DWORD value in the right pane. If it does not exist, create it as a DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Double-click fDisableCpm, change the Value data to 1, and click OK.

Step 5: Apply the Changes

Registry modifications for Terminal Services take effect upon restarting the Remote Desktop service or rebooting the machine:

Option A: Restart the host computer.
Option B: Open an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell and restart the Remote Desktop Services service by running:
```
net stop TermService && net start TermService
```

Once applied, users establishing new RDP sessions will no longer have their local printers redirected to the remote host.