How do I print from a remote computer?

What this does

You are connected to a remote computer. You want to print a document from that computer on your own printer, next to you.

After this setup:

1. You print on the remote computer.


2. The document travels to your browser automatically.


3. You print it on your printer. Done.

You only do the setup one time on each remote computer. After that, printing is automatic.

Part 1 — Install PDFCreator (one time, on the remote computer)

PDFCreator is a free program. It acts like a printer, but it makes a PDF file instead of paper. Our system picks up that file and sends it to you.

Step 1. On the remote computer, open the browser and go to:
https://download.pdfforge.org/download/pdfcreator/PDFCreator-stable?download

Step 2. Download PDFCreator Free.

Step 3. Run the installer.

• If it offers extra programs or toolbars → click Decline or Skip.


• Keep clicking Next until it finishes.

Step 4. After installing, PDFCreator may ask you to sign in or create an account.

• You do NOT need an account.


• Close the sign-in window. Skip it.


• If a browser page opens and shows an error like "localhost refused to connect" — this is okay. Just close that page.


• Ignore the blue "Activate Now" and "Upgrade Now" buttons. The free version is enough.

Part 2 — Change 3 settings (one time, on the remote computer)

Step 1. Open the PDFCreator program. Look for the red flame icon.

⚠️ Careful: there is another program called PDF Architect (a white "A" on red). That is NOT the one. Open PDFCreator.

Step 2. At the top, click Profiles.

Step 3. Look at the Save box (top left). Click the small wrench
icon 🔧 on it.

Step 4. In the window that opens:

1. Find the switch that says Interactive / Automatic. Click it so it says Automatic (it turns green).


2. Find the box called Target directory. It is empty. Click the ... button next to it.


3. In the folder window, click the address bar at the top, and paste this: %APPDATA%\IES Remote Office
   
   
4. Press Enter. Then select the folder called print-jobs and click OK.
   
   If you cannot find the print-jobs folder: connect one remote session first (the folder is created automatically), or right-click → New Folder and name it exactly print-jobs.
   
   
5.  Do not change anything else. Click Ok.

Step 5. Back on the Profiles screen, look at the right side under Actions → Send/Open.

• You will see a line: "Open file/directory: Use PDF Architect".


• Click the trash can icon 🗑 next to it to delete it.


• This is very important. If you skip this, a PDF viewer will open on the remote computer every time you print.

Step 6. Click the green Save button (bottom right).

⚠️ Do not click the red Cancel — that will delete all your changes.

Setup is finished. You never need to open PDFCreator again.

Part 3 — How to print (every time)

Step 1. In your browser, connect to the remote computer (start a
session). Printing only works while you are connected.

Step 2. On the remote computer, open the document you want to print.

Step 3. Press Ctrl + P (or File → Print).

Step 4. Choose the printer called PDFCreator or Remote Printer Queue. Click Print.

Step 5. Wait a few seconds. In your browser:

• A small message appears: "Print job received — opening for
  print".


• The document opens in a new browser tab.

Step 6. In that new tab, press Ctrl + P, choose your own printer,
and click Print.

That's it. The paper should be coming from your local printer. 🖨️