Install a Release Station on Windows

Step 1: Set up a Windows workstation near the printer

The Release Station terminal (you can use any machine) should be located close to the printer so users can release the jobs and pick up the printing nearby. The Release Station terminal should meet the following requirements:

• Windows 7 Home or Professional (or later)

• 2GB ram (64-bit)

• Attached to the network so that it can communicate with the Application Server.

Step 2: Set the workstation to automatically log in (optional)

If you want the Release Station to automatically start when the terminal is rebooted, you need to set the workstation to automatically log in.

1. Create an account for the Release Station to log in with. The account should be a normal local or domain user and not have any administration privileges.

2. Set up automatic log in on Windows. For more information, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/324737 .

Step 3: Set up the Release Station to run on startup

To set the Release Station software to run on startup:

1. Create a new shortcut icon in the user’s Startup folder.

   %APPDATA%\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup
   

   The Create Shortcut screen is displayed.

2. In Type the location of the item, enter \\[servername]\PCRelease\pc-release-local-cache.exe
   where [servername] is the name of the server hosting the Application Server.

3. Log out and log back in again.

You can also run the Release Station by copying the files from the server hosting the Application Server to the dedicated workstation. These files are located under [app-dir]/release.

This runs the Release Station in default mode with default configuration options. You can change the default configuration by modifying the following file:

\[appdir\]\\release\\config.properties

This configuration file has many options that allow you to customize the Release Station behavior and look. The options are documented in the configuration file. In addition to the look, you can also configure behavior such as limiting the list of destination printers the Release Station can release to.

If you are running multiple Release Stations, you can provide a custom configuration for each Release Station. Create a machine specific configuration file in the [appdir]\release directory named:

config.\[machine-name\].properties

where [machine-name] is the name of the Windows machine running the Release Station. Any settings in this file override settings in the global config.properties file.

Step 4: Lock down the Release Station machine

You should lock down the Release Station terminal to stop users from performing administrative operations, such as changing the user’s password. You can disable settings using group policy:

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor:

   1. Click Start.

   2. Enter Run.

   3. Type gpedit.msc.

   4. Click OK.

2. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctl+Alt+Del Options.

3. Prevent users from being able to use the following functionality by enabling the removal of the functions:

   • Remove Task Manager

   • Remove Lock Computer

   • Remove Change Password

   • Remove Logoff

   To enable these to be removed:

   1. Double-click the option.

   2. Select Enabled.

   3. Click OK.

Depending on the level of security required, administrators can lock down many other Windows features and options using group policy.

Step 1: Configure the Release Station (optional)

This step is required only if the default mode or settings need to be changed.

The Release Station configuration is stored in the following file:

\[appdir\]\\release\\config.properties

This configuration file has many options that allow you to customize the Release Station behavior and look. The options are documented in the configuration file.

If you are running multiple Release Stations, you can provide a custom configuration for each Release Station. Create a machine specific configuration file in the [appdir]\release directory named:

config.\[machine-name\].properties

where [machine-name] is the Windows machine name running the Release Station. Any settings in this file will override settings in the global config.properties file.

You can also specify an override configuration file via the command-line using the following syntax:

pc-release.exe --config "\[config file path\]"

Step 2: Enable Release Station support for the printers

By default, print jobs are sent directly to the printer and not held by the Release Station. To enable Release Station support on a printer:

1. Click the Printers tab.
   The Printer List page is displayed.

2. Select a printer.
   The Printer Details page is displayed showing the Summary tab contents.

3. In the Hold/Release Queue Settings area, select the Enable hold/release queue check box. This ensures that jobs are held in the print queue until users are ready to release their jobs.

   

4. In Release mode, select one of the following:

   • User Release—(default) allows users to release and view only the jobs printed under their name/user account.

   • Admin/Manager only release—jobs can only be released by administrators or hold/release queue managers.

5. Click OK.

You can copy Release Station settings from printer to printer using the Copy settings to other printers action.

Step 3: Perform testing

Perform some tests to see print jobs in the Release Station.

1. Print to a printer with Release Station support enabled.

2. Open the Release Station application.

3. Log in to the Release Station as the user who performed the print.
   The print job should be displayed in the list.

4. Click the Print link to release the job or Cancel to cancel the job.