quality_recticel/windows_print_service/QUICK_SETUP_NATIVE.md

Quality Recticel Print Service - Quick Setup Guide (Native)

Get the Windows print service running in under 3 minutes - Zero Dependencies!

What You Need

✅ Windows 10/11 or Windows Server
✅ Administrator access
✅ Chrome browser
✅ Downloaded service package

Installation Steps

1. Install Native Windows Service (1 minute)

# Extract service package to any folder
# Right-click install_native_service.bat 
# Select "Run as administrator"
install_native_service.bat

Expected Output:

✅ Administrator privileges confirmed
✅ Service directory created
✅ Service files copied successfully  
✅ Windows service created successfully
✅ Service started successfully
🌐 Service running on http://localhost:8765

2. Install Chrome Extension (1 minute)

1. Open Chrome → More Tools → Extensions
2. Enable "Developer mode" (top right)
3. Click "Load unpacked"
4. Select the chrome_extension folder
5. Extension installed ✅

3. Test Everything (30 seconds)

Test Service:

• Open browser: http://localhost:8765/health
• Should show: {"status": "healthy", "service": "Quality Recticel Print Service", "platform": "Windows PowerShell"}

Test Printing:

• Go to Quality Recticel web app
• Open a label for printing
• Click print - should print silently ✅

Native Advantages

🚀 No Python Required - Pure PowerShell implementation
⚡ Instant Install - No package downloads or dependencies
🛡️ Enterprise Ready - Uses only Microsoft components
📦 Tiny Footprint - Minimal disk and memory usage
🔧 Easy Deployment - Single installer, works everywhere

Troubleshooting

❌ Service Won't Install

# Check if already installed
sc query QualityRecticelPrintService

# If exists, uninstall first
uninstall_service.bat

# Try installation again
install_native_service.bat

❌ Service Won't Start

# Check PowerShell execution policy
Get-ExecutionPolicy
# Should be RemoteSigned or Unrestricted

# Set if needed (as Administrator)
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Force

# Check the logs
Get-Content "C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\print_service.log" -Tail 20

# Manual start
sc start QualityRecticelPrintService

❌ Port Already in Use

# Check what's using port 8765
netstat -ano | findstr :8765

# Kill process if needed (find PID from above)
taskkill /PID <process_id> /F

❌ Chrome Extension Issues

1. Check extension is enabled in chrome://extensions/
2. Test service URL directly: http://localhost:8765/health
3. Check browser console (F12) for errors
4. Verify CORS headers are working

❌ Printing Doesn't Work

# Test printer enumeration
curl http://localhost:8765/printers

# Check Windows print spooler
sc query spooler

# Restart print spooler if needed
sc stop spooler && sc start spooler

Quick Commands

Service Management:

sc start QualityRecticelPrintService     # Start
sc stop QualityRecticelPrintService      # Stop  
sc query QualityRecticelPrintService     # Status
sc qc QualityRecticelPrintService        # Configuration

Test Endpoints:

curl http://localhost:8765/health         # Health check
curl http://localhost:8765/printers       # List printers

Uninstall:

uninstall_service.bat                     # Complete removal

Log Files:

C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\print_service.log

Advanced Configuration

Custom Port: Edit print_service.ps1 and change:

param([int]$Port = 8765)  # Change to desired port

Service Account:

# Run service as specific user (optional)
sc config QualityRecticelPrintService obj="domain\username" password="password"

Performance Notes

• Startup: ~2 seconds (vs 10+ seconds for Python)
• Memory: ~15MB RAM (vs 50MB+ for Python/Flask)
• CPU: Minimal background usage
• Dependencies: Zero external packages

Need Help?

1. Check logs first - PowerShell errors are detailed
2. Test step by step - service → health → printers → printing
3. Verify PowerShell policy - execution policy must allow scripts
4. Contact IT support with specific error messages

Success Checklist

• Installer ran without errors
• Service shows "RUNNING" status: sc query QualityRecticelPrintService
• Health endpoint responds: http://localhost:8765/health
• Printers endpoint lists devices: http://localhost:8765/printers
• Chrome extension loaded and enabled
• Web app can print labels silently

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✅ Success: Native service running + Extension loaded + Silent printing works
📞 Support: Contact Quality Recticel IT with log details if issues persist

Advantages over Python version:
🚀 No external dependencies | ⚡ Faster startup | 🛡️ Better security | 📦 Smaller footprint