Printing in Qubes the easy way (USB needed)

Original forum link
https://forum.qubes-os.org/t/38182
Original poster
deeplow
Created at
2025-12-28 17:22:49
Last wiki edit
2025-12-31 09:04:48
Revisions
2 revisions
Posts count
3
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4

If you're new to Qubes and just want to print stuff, this is possibly the easiest way to do it, so long as you have a printer newer than 2015-ish and that has a USB port. If you don't have one, see bellow for printer recommendations.

First Time Set Up

  1. Create qube
  2. name: print
  3. template debian-13-xfce (Debian 12 should fine as well)
  4. applications: Thunar File Manager, Xfce4 Terminal and Print Settings (optional)
  5. Launch qube setting after creation: ✔️
  6. Edit settings:
  7. default disposable: none
  8. services: cups and avahi (for this last one, you need to choose (custom) first)
  9. Open "Qube Manager" (you can search for it in the menu)
  10. find print qube » right-click » "Run command in qube": sudo mousepad /rw/config/rc.local (a text editor should show up)
  11. (In the text editor opened with the last command)
  12. add to last line systemctl enable avahi-daemon
  13. save
  14. close window

Printing a File

  1. Right-click file » copy to other qube » print qube (as destination)
  2. Open file manager in print with: Q menu » print » Thunar File Manager
  3. Choose Recents (left-hand side)
  4. Double-click recently-copied file
  5. Choose the print option OR Ctrl+p (may depend on viewer program)
  6. Attach printer USB device to print qube using the devices widget (top-right corner)

Auto-attaching: On Qubes 4.3+ you can auto-attach the printer USB device to the print qube.

  1. This is done in: Devices Widget » <YOUR_USB_PRINTER> » ⚙️ Device Settings » Auto-attach settings.

brave_screenshot_www.youtube.com|394x500

2 . "Device Assignment" » + Add new rule

brave_screenshot_www.youtube.com (1)|535x127, 75%

  1. Choose between:
  2. having a dedicated printer port (any other USB attached there will be auto-attached to the print qube) — generally safer, but can be more cumbersome if you have few ports
  3. Memorize device identity — This one device will always be auto-attached, but a malicious device could trick the system into thinking it's your printer and thus get auto-attached to the print qube

TODO clarify section by simply pointing to docs, once these are updated with 4.3 device management.

Troubleshooting / FAQ

TODO

Improvements (optional)