How to Share a Printer on Windows

A printer on a Windows computer can be an invaluable convenience, particularly in home or office environments where multiple people require access to it at the same time. Windows makes sharing printers across networks relatively effortless; whether using Windows 10, 8, 7 or other, this step-by-step guide will take you through each stage so others can print easily from their own devices.

How to Share a Printer on Windows

Step 1: Connect Your Printer

Before sharing a printer from Windows computer to another Windows computer, ensure it is connected correctly by following these general steps to connect printer:

Physically Connect the Printer: Plug your printer in to an outlet and connect it to either your computer using USB, or set it up wirelessly over your network if applicable.

Install Printer Drivers: Windows should automatically identify and install drivers for your printer; otherwise you must obtain them directly from its manufacturer’s website or CD installation discs.

Step 2: Enabling Printer Sharing

Now that your printer is set up and its drivers installed, the second step in setting it up to share is simple – allow printer sharing! Here’s how:

Press Windows Key, enter “Control Panel,” and press Enter to access it.

View Devices and Printers: To browse devices and printers, navigate to “Hardware and Sound”, then “Devices and Printers.”

Locate Your Printer: From your list of devices, your printer should appear. Right-click its icon and choose “Printer Properties” from its context menu to access its properties.

Sharing Tab: In the Properties window, navigate to “Sharing.”

Share this printer: Check the “Share this printer.” Additionally, give it an identifiable name so others will easily remember its existence.

Apply and OK: To save your changes, press “Apply”, followed by “OK.”

Step 3: Configure Sharing Settings

To secure access to a shared printer, it is necessary to configure its sharing settings accordingly. Follow these steps.

Advanced Sharing: Within the Properties window, click “Advanced Sharing.” This will open your printer’s sharing settings.

Permissions: Clicking the “Permissions” button allows you to set permissions for specific users or groups. By default, “Everyone” has “Print” access enabled – however you may restrict or grant this privilege if desired.

Security: Review the security settings as part of any optimization strategy, making sure the users or groups requiring access have appropriate permissions and privileges.

Click “OK and Close” to save the settings you have made regarding sharing and permissions; once finished click “Close” to exit from Properties window.

Step 4: Find and Connect to the Shared Printer

Now that your shared printer has been made accessible on its network, other computers on it can connect. Here’s how from another Windows computer:

Access Control Panel on Computer You Want to Print From: On the computer from which you wish to print, launch Control Panel.

View Devices and Printers: To do so, navigate to “Hardware and Sound,” followed by “Devices and Printers,” before making your selections.

Install a Printer: To add a printer, click “Add a printer.”

Add Network Printer: From the Printer Management menu, choose to “Add network, wireless or Bluetooth printer.”

Printer List: Windows will search the network to identify available printers. When your shared printer appears in this list, select it and follow its on-screen instructions for installing it.

Step 5: Test Your Shared Printer

Once you’ve added the shared printer on another computer, it is wise to conduct some sort of verification procedure to make sure everything works as anticipated. Print a test page or document and verify the connection is working as it should.

Conclusion Sharing a printer on Windows computers is an effortless process that will save both time and resources when used within an office environment with multiple users or devices. By following these steps, it will allow others to print quickly without physically having to move files around your network. Enjoy having shared printers as part of an efficient shared printer environment!