Reviving an Old Canon Bubble-Jet BJC-4650 Printer on Windows 10/11

Locating the Latest Drivers

The first step in resolving compatibility issues is to ensure you have the correct drivers installed. While it's true that the latest official drivers for the Canon BJC-4650 were released over a decade ago, there are still ways to make it work with newer operating systems.

The drivers you mentioned, dated June 21, 2006, should theoretically work with Windows 10 and 11. However, if you're encountering errors, it's possible that there might be compatibility issues or that the drivers aren't installed correctly.

Troubleshooting Driver Installation

If you're having trouble installing the drivers, try the following steps to troubleshoot the installation process:

1. Compatibility Mode: Right-click on the driver installation file and select "Properties." Navigate to the "Compatibility" tab and check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for." Choose an older version of Windows, such as Windows XP or Windows 7, and then proceed with the installation.
2. Run as Administrator: Ensure that you're running the driver installation executable with administrative privileges. Right-click on the file and select "Run as administrator" to do so.
3. Check for Updates: Although the drivers are old, there might still be updates available. Visit the Canon website or Microsoft's official driver repository to see if there are any newer versions of the drivers compatible with your operating system.
4. Driver Signature Enforcement: In some cases, driver signature enforcement in Windows can prevent the installation of unsigned drivers. To bypass this, you may need to disable driver signature enforcement temporarily. Keep in mind that this method involves modifying system settings and should be done with caution.

Exploring Alternative Solutions

If all else fails and you're unable to get the official drivers to work, consider exploring alternative solutions:

1. Third-Party Drivers: There are third-party driver repositories and communities dedicated to providing updated drivers for legacy hardware. However, exercise caution when downloading drivers from unofficial sources to avoid malware or compatibility issues.
2. Virtualization: Another option is to run an older version of Windows in a virtual machine and connect the printer to it. This allows you to leverage the compatibility of older operating systems while still using your modern system for other tasks.
3. Printer Emulation: Some users have had success emulating the Canon BJC-4650 using a different printer driver that's compatible with Windows 10 or 11. Experiment with various printer drivers until you find one that works reliably with your printer.

Moving Forward

Reviving an old printer like the Canon Bubble-Jet BJC-4650 can be a rewarding experience, but it may require some patience and troubleshooting. By following the steps outlined above and exploring alternative solutions, you should be able to get your printer up and running on Windows 10 or 11.

If you're still experiencing issues or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the community for assistance. Forums, tech blogs, and online communities can be valuable resources for troubleshooting printer compatibility issues.

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