If you have more than one computer in your home or office, learning to share a printer can save you a lot of hassle in transferring files. Printer sharing may not always be intuitive, but it really isn't difficult. Try the following steps to share a printer.
Steps
Step 1. Share your printer on Windows 7
-
Open the control panel
Share a Printer Step 1Bullet1 -
Click on Network and Internet
Share a Printer Step 1Bullet2 -
Click Network Center
Share a Printer Step 1Bullet3 -
Click Change Advanced Sharing Settings
Share a Printer Step 1Bullet4 -
Make sure Printer Sharing is turned on, along with Password Protected Sharing
Share a Printer Step 1Bullet5
Step 2. Share your printer on Windows Vista
-
Open the control panel
Share a Printer Step 2Bullet1 -
Click on Network and Internet
Share a Printer Step 2Bullet2 -
Click Network Center
Share a Printer Step 2Bullet3 -
Expand the Printer Sharing item and activate it. Also enable Password Protected Sharing, on the same page
Share a Printer Step 2Bullet4
Step 3. Share your printer on Windows XP
-
Open the control panel
Share a Printer Step 3Bullet1 -
Click on Printers
Share a Printer Step 3Bullet2 -
Right click on the printer you want to share and choose Properties
Share a Printer Step 3Bullet3 -
Open the Sharing tab and click Share this printer
Share a Printer Step 3Bullet4
Step 4. Share your printer on Mac
-
Open System Preferences
Share a Printer Step 4Bullet1 -
Open Sharing
Share a Printer Step 4Bullet2 -
Click on the Share tab and enable Printer Sharing
Share a Printer Step 4Bullet3
Step 5. Share the printer with all computers on your network
-
On Windows: Open the Workgroup from the Network Center (Mshome in XP). Connect to the computer connected with the printer and open the Printers folder. You will find the shared printer and you can add it to your printer list.
Share a Printer Step 5Bullet1 -
On Mac: open System Preferences, then Printers and Scanners, click the + icon. The system will automatically find shared printers.
Share a Printer Step 5Bullet2
Advice
- Always enable Password Sharing; it is safer. When connecting to the printer you will need to enter the username and password of the main computer.
- Make sure your network is private. This way the operating system will offer you more sharing options, unlike a public network.
- Some modern printers can connect wirelessly, so you can connect it to your router to get a shared printer with all computers on the network.
