The ability to share printers is one of the biggest attractions in organizing a home network. Setting up a network printer will allow you to print from any computer you have at home. Follow this guide to set up a network printer using Windows or Mac OS X.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Windows 7 & 8 homegroup
Step 1. Create a Homegroup
If all the computers on your network have Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can create a Homegroup to allow easy printer sharing. This network is password protected and also allows for easy file sharing.
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If you have computers with other versions of Windows (XP or Vista) or with Mac OS X, check out the other methods on how to network a printer.
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Step 2. Create a Homegroup in Windows 7
Click the Start / Windows button and open the Control Panel. Select Network and Internet and open Homegroup. Windows will automatically detect any Homegroups on the network.
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To create a new Homegroup, click the "Create a Homegroup" button. Select what you want to share. To share printers, make sure the Printers checkbox is checked. Click "Next" to create the Homegroup.
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Make a note of the password that will be generated so that you can connect other computers to the Homegroup.
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To join an existing Homegroup, open the Homegroup program and Windows will automatically ask you if you want to join the existing homegroup. You will need to enter the Homegroup password.
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Step 3. Create a Homegroup in Windows 8
Open the PC Settings menu by moving the mouse to the top right corner of the screen. You will have the option to scroll through an additional menu on the right hand side. Click Settings, then the Change PC Settings link. From the menu, select Homegroup.
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Click Create. Select the one you want to share. To share printers, make sure the Printers checkbox is checked. Click "Next" to create the Homegroup.
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Make a note of the generated password so that you can connect other computers to the Homegroup.
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To join an existing Homegroup, open the Homegroup program and Windows will automatically ask you if you want to join the existing homegroup. You will need to enter the Homegroup password.
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Step 4. Print the document
Once connected to the Homegroup, the connected printers will be available as an option when you want to print a document. The computer physically connected to the printer must be turned on and connected to the network in order to print.
Method 2 of 4: Windows Vista & 7
Step 1. Open the Network and Sharing Center
Click the Start / Windows button. Open the Control Panel and click Network and Internet. Select the Network and Sharing Center.
Step 2. Enable printer sharing
Expand the "Printer Sharing" section by clicking the arrow. Click the "Enable printer sharing" link and then click Apply. You may be prompted for the administrator password.
Step 3. Make sure that password protection is off
If you want to share the printer easily, make sure password protection is turned off. Expand the "Password protected sharing" section by clicking the arrow. Select the Off option and click apply. You may be prompted for the administrator password.
Method 3 of 4: Windows XP
Step 1. Configure the network
For Windows XP computers, they need to be in the same workgroup to be able to share printers. Click the Start menu and open the Control Panel. Select Network and Internet.
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Open the Network Setup Wizard and follow the onscreen instructions to set up your home network.
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In the "Network Naming" window, make sure you enter the same workgroup as the other PCs on the network.
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In the "File and Printer Sharing" window, select "Turn on file and printer sharing". Select OK to save your settings.
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Step 2. Share your printer
Open the Control Panel and select Printers and Faxes. Right-click the icon representing the printer you want to share. From the menu, select Sharing. Click the "Share this printer" button and press OK.
Step 3. Add a printer that is shared
To add a shared printer to the list of available printers, open the Printers and Faxes option in the Control Panel. Click the "Add a printer in the left frame" link. Click Next and then select "A network printer".
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Windows will search for printers connected to the network. Double-click the printer you want to add.
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You may be prompted to install drivers for the selected printer. Windows will attempt to download the drivers automatically. If that fails, you may need to use the printer installation disc, or download the drivers from the manufacturer's website.
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Method 4 of 4: Mac OS X
Step 1. Open System Preferences
Click the Apple button in the upper left corner of the screen and select System Preferences from the menu. Under Internet & Network, or Internet & Wireless, select Sharing. This will open the Sharing Preferences.
Step 2. Enable printer sharing
In the left frame of the Sharing Preferences, check the box next to Printer Sharing. All connected printers will be automatically shared on the network.
Step 3. Add a network printer
From the Apple menu, open System Preferences. From the Hardware section, select Printer & Fax. Click the Add (+) button. From the list select the network printer you want to add. Click the Add button.
