If you're still in trouble...you might look again at the registry and Export the key before any actions. There, are listed printers in "USBPRINT" key.
See bottom bar of the screenshot for the way to navigate in...
There's more places to trace old printers install, but after those two...you should be Ok and the others keys will be unactivated.
Otherwise come back and let us know if you're solved!
I came across this thread and nothing here helped. What I did find to help is that there were documents pending to printer even though the printer was no longer available or online. Open up the documents waiting to print window, and cancel all print jobs (I had one in there from several months ago). Then in the Devices and Printers window, right click and delete device - the YES button will now have a User Control Access Shield next to it. Click yes, refresh your devices (hitting F5) and it is gone and won't return!
Hope this works for you!
Turtle D
The best way I have found is to run regedit.exe (Here I must put in a disclaimer - If you are not well versed in the use of Regedit, PLEASE secure the services of an It Professional! Regedit is a VERY powerful tool and can cause a lot of harm to your system if used improperly).
I strongly suggest that you 1. Do a complete backup of your system
2. create a restore point 3. Backup your registry (you can go here for instructions on how to do that - Back up the registry)
NOTE...if you do not have admin privileges on your box, you may no0t be able to delete entries. Make SURE you are logged in as Admin before you use Regedit.
Using the 'Find' (at the top, click on Edit) menu item, put in a portion of the offending printer name (as it is listed in the Printers and Devices folder (when you print something the box opens and shows you the printers that are installed on your system)).
Make sure that what you are trying to find is NOT the default printer you have but the one you are trying to remove. For example, if you have two instances of HP Series L7700, they should have different names (often one will say Copy 1 or something similar). In the example, you might want to put in EXACTLY the name of the offending printer you want removed (e.g. HP Officejet L7700 Series Copy 1).
Click OK and Regedit will search out all the references one at a time. Delete each reference CAREFULLY.
When you have deleted all of the references for the orphaned printer, Regedit will say it has reached the end. Close Regedit and reboot. When restarted, your system should now be rid of the old printer.
Aescalus - Microsoft MVP
Make sure that there are no print jobs for it. "Cancel all print jobs". Then delete the printer in Administrative Tools as mentioned. This worked for me!
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