The biggest and most overlooked problem with PC’s today is the proprietary printer driver.

Installing a printer is one of the most difficult tasks there is when it comes to personal computing.  This is all because that all printer manufactures insist on their own bloat-ware called a ‘Print Driver.

You would think that after all the years computers and printers have been around, there would have been a push to standardize printer drivers.  From everyone I have spoken with, installing a printer is one if not the worst experience when updating or installing a new operating system.

Just recently I upgraded my laptop to Windows 7 Professional.  I have a one year old HP LaserJet P006.  This is not a color or multi-function do everything printer, it only does one thing: Print!  I came to find out that HP decided not to create drivers for Windows 7 for this printer and the Vista drivers didnt work.  After much searching I finally found a Universal Driver that allowed me to use this printer.  I then went to install my other printer which is an HP Ink Jet Multi-function, and much older of a printer.  Well to my surprise, HP did have this driver for Windows 7…162MB download.

Read more…