Printer and Scanner driver dissappeared

The computer user called me that she couldn’t print because the printer driver was missing. When I came, I saw a shortcut linked to %User%ApplicationData%defender.exe in the desktop. Then I realized that it might be a virus.

I run hijackthis to make sure but no suspected ones there, seems the owner had cleaned the virus using Malwarebytes, my favorite anti malware software.

When I tried to reinstall the printer driver, it didn’t work, said “Printer Spooler Service couldn’t run”

This is the solution:

• Go to Registry Editor (Start -> Run -> Regedit)
• Find HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print, and expand it, you will find foder “Providers”
• If you expand the folder “Providers”, there should be ONLY folders “LanManPrint Services” (with subfolder “Server) and “Internet Print Provider”. But in this computer I found another folder with [random character] name. I deleted this folder
• Reboot

As miracle, the printer and scanner driver came back as initial.

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