Error message when you try to install a WSD printer on a Windows Vista-based computer after the first installation attempt fails: "Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000643)"

Consider the following scenario:

• You are running a Windows Vista-based computer.
• You use the Plug and Play service to install a Web Services for Devices (WSD) printer.
• The installation process fails, or it is canceled. However, a WSD-only port is created.

When you try to use the Plug and Play service to install the same WSD printer again in this scenario, you receive the following error message:

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:

• Use Device Manager. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start
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     , type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then click Device Manager in the Programs list.
     
     
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     If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
  2. On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes or Update Driver.
• Delete the WSD port. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start
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     , type printers in the Start Search box, and then click printers in the Programs list.
  2. Add a new printer, and then select the existing WSD port and any printer driver.
  3. Delete the printer. The WSD port is also deleted automatically.
  4. Connect the printer to the computer again. The Plug and Play service begins to install the printer.
• Uninstall the printer by using Network Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Open the Network and Sharing Center. To do this, click Start
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     , type Network and Sharing Center in the Start Search box, and then click Network and Sharing Center in the Programs list.
  2. In the Tasks pane, click View Computers and Devices.
  3. Locate the printer, and then right-click the printer to uninstall it.
  4. After the printer is uninstalled, connect the printer to the computer again. The Plug and Play service begins to install the printer.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

This problem may occur when you try to install a WSD printer that does not have an Inbox driver. To install a WSD printer that does not have an Inbox driver, you must obtain the correct printer driver in advance. Otherwise, the system may not find an appropriate driver, and the installation process fails. When this problem occurs, you may decide to obtain the correct printer driver from a CD-ROM or to download it from the Web. However, if you then try to use the Plug and Play service again to install the printer, you experience the symptoms that are described in the "Symptoms" section.