Versions of Samba prior to 2.2 made it possible to use a share named [printer$] . This name was taken from the same named service created by Windows 9x/Me clients when a printer was shared by them. Windows 9x/Me printer servers always have a [printer$] service that provides read-only access (with no password required) to support printer driver downloads. However, Samba's initial implementation allowed for a parameter named printer driver location to be used on a per-share basis. This specified the location of the driver files associated with that printer. Another parameter named printer driver provided a means of defining the printer driver name to be sent to the client.

These parameters, including the printer driver file parameter, are now removed and cannot be used in installations of Samba-3. The share name [print$] is now used for the location of downloadable printer drivers. It is taken from the [print$] service created by Windows NT PCs when a printer is shared by them. Windows NT print servers always have a [print$] service that provides read-write access (in the context of its ACLs) to support printer driver downloads and uploads. This does not mean Windows 9x/Me clients are now thrown aside. They can use Samba's [print$] share support just fine.