New Computer with Windows 8 (Basic, not pro)
Printer: LaserJet Pro M401n - connecting via USB
Started with download of the Windows 8 64-bit drivers. Tried installation using just the driver and the full software. Each time, after about 30-45 minutes, could get "Error." Tried Windows Update. tried installing to LPT1; tried connecting to a shared M401n printer on another computer.
I finally got an error message saying: Printer driver was not installed. The printer driver is not compatible with a policy enabled on your computer that blocks NT 4.0 drivers. (Group policy cannot be modified in Windows 8 Basic.)
Another message was: Driver Installation Error: Windows can't install the HP LaserJet 400 M401 PCL 6 kernel-mode print driver. To obtain a driver that is compatible with the version of Windows you are running, contact the manufacturer.
Tried HP's Windows 8 troubleshooting tips at: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-topics/windows8-support/printer-install-issues.html
Reviewed several Microsoft KB articles and found many, many posts by users with the same issue on not just HP printers. One had listed a program had created the conflict. There were a few listing that Citrix's GoToMeeting had caused the conflict/problem. Then found one where GoToMyPC was cause the conflict/problem. In all cases by uninstalling the Citrix program and then rebooting, the printer installation could proceed without problem.
I just wanted to post this solution because if you have one of the Citrix programs runing on Windows 8, it is an easy fix. Here's the fix: Uninstall the offending programs [like GoToMeeting or GoToMyPC], reboot, install the printer, reinstall the Citrix programs. If you are getting the above error message, maybe this will work for you.
By the way, it was nice to see the printer install in less than 10 minutes after waiting an agonizing 30-45 minutes each time it had previously been blocked!