Abstract:Printer is one of the most common peripheral device. With the rise of desktop virtualization Technology, applications gradually migrate from PC to cloud desktop, which brings a new challenge for printing because of the sharp different of printing architecture between cloud desktop and PC. This paper explores Windows printing architecture, introduces the GDI print path and XPS printing path, and compares the difference of printing architecture between cloud desktop and PC, then discusses the issues of printing inside the cloud desktop and the solution derived from the major desktop virtualization vendors. By analyzing deep into the major USB redirection technology and printer mapping technology, the advantages and defects of them are compared, and the problems to be solved are discussed. The development direction and research prospects of cloud desktop printing are put forward in this paper.