If you have more than one computer, and you want to get all computers connected to a single printer. Luckily you can connect all the computers with a single printer. It makes no difference if the shared printer is new or old. If it can connect with one computer, it can also work well with other computers. This sharing of a single printer with different computers is supported by the operating system, which manages communication between both the computers and the single printer.
If you need to share a printer with multiple computers, then you have to perform some additional tasks to get everything up and running.
In this article today, we will discuss How To Share a Printer in Windows (11, 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP) And Mac OS. we have prepared a step-by-step guide which is broken down into easy steps. It does not require any special software or anything complicated. Just follow the step-by-step guide outlined below.
What is printer sharing?
Printer sharing is the process of enabling other computer systems on the same network to use the printer. Every device connected to a network can use a printer using the shared printer and adjust the printer settings based on the permissions allowed by the administrator for each user. Sharing a printer is widely used in a small local network, so it might reduce expenses and use the printer better. The printer sharing method is very basic, although you need to install the printer driver on the computer before sharing the printer.
If a printer is connected to a computer that supports printer sharing, the computer can share a printer with other computers on the same network. It does not matter if the shared printer is new or old. As long as it is correctly installed on one computer, that computer can share it. The OS supports the sharing, which directly manages the connection between computers and other devices within the networks and the printer. When a printing request gets issued from a computer network, this request is accepted by the computer or device in which the shared printer is connected. This host computer instantiates the printer and then delivers the print command. However, retrieval of the final prints still must be performed manually by the initiator of the print job.
How To Share a Printer in Window 11
To share a printer in window 11. The first step is installing and setting up the printer and connecting it to the primary PC. Other computers should be linked to the same network. Once you successfully installed & set up the printer, and if the main computer is connected to the same network as the other computers, follow the instructions below to share a printer across the network on Windows 11:
- Open the setting window by pressing Windows Key + I. Or right-click on the Windows Start button and click on the Settings tab.
- Next, just select the option mentioned as “Bluetooth & devices”.
- Go to the ‘Printers & scanners’ tab of Settings.
- Next, click on add device or scanner option.
- Now, search and click on the available printer that you need to share with other computers on the network.
- If the printer is available in the list, click on add device beside the printer’s name that you want to share with the PC.
- Then you’ll see a printer information panel. Just select the “Printer Properties” option.
- There will be a pop-up window underneath the Sharing tab. Just select the “Change Sharing Options.”
- Lastly, to share your printer on Windows 11, select the checkbox next to “Share this printer” and provide a name that the other Computers can see when connecting to the printer.
How To Share a Printer in Windows 10
- Press Windows Key, and I. It will take you to the settings, or just use right-click on the Start button and select the Settings option afterward.
- Afterward, select the “Bluetooth & devices” option available in the settings window.
- Go to the ‘Printers & scanners’ tab of the Bluetooth & devices settings window.
- Now a Printer & scanners settings page will be displayed.
- Click the printer you need to share
- Click on the “Printer properties.”
- Select the “Sharing” tab
- Check the “Share this printer” checkbox.
- Make changes that you want to make in the printer’s share name.
- Verify Render print jobs on client PCs
That’s all you have to do as far as sharing the printer is concerned. Other users who want to use the shared printer can now easly access it using the “Add a printer or scanner” option in the Printers & scanners option of Windows 10’s Settings app.
How To Share a Printer in Windows 8 and 7
- The first step is to install the new printer driver.
- Now open the printer folder.
- Then use right-click on the printer name and then select the printer properties.
- Click on the Sharing tab.
- Then choose the option “Share this printer.”
- If you can see the Change Sharing Options icon, click on it.
- Now click on the OK icon.
- Next, Open the Control Panel.
- Select the option “Network and Internet.”
- Now select the option mentioned as “Network and Sharing Center.”
- Select and click on the” change advanced sharing setting.”
- Check Turn on network scanning and Turn on file and printer sharing.
- Lastly, click Save changes.
How To Share a Printer in Windows Vista
- Install the printer driver.
- Click on the start menu.
- Search the Control Panel option from the start menu.
- If your Control Panel is in the Categories view, choose “Network and Internet.”
- Then select the option mentioned as “Network and Sharing Center.”
- Then click on the “Printer Sharing” option and turn printer sharing on.
- Navigate back to the “Control Panel.”
- Now right-click on the printer’s name you want to share and select the option “Printer properties.”
- At last, click on the “Sharing” option and tick the checkbox mentioned as “Share this printer.”
How To Share a Printer in Windows XP
- Install the printer drivers.
- Then select and click on the Start menu
- Select the option “My Network Places.”
- Right-click on the available network connection
- Then select “Properties.”
- Click on the General tab, and afterward, check the “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” checkbox.
- Then, get back to the home screen, open the Control Panel from the Start menu, and choose “Printers and Faxes.”
- Then right-click on the name of the printer you want to share and select “Sharing.”
- Click the “Share this printer” options
- Now just assign the printer a name.
How To Share a Printer in Mac OS
- Install the appropriate printer drivers.
- Open “System Preferences.” This can be accessible by selecting the Apple menu in the top corner of the menu that appears.
- Search for the “Internet & Network” or “Internet & Wireless” tab, and then click on the “Sharing” option.
- Then select the “Printer Sharing” checkbox in the left side panel of the Sharing panel.
- Once sharing is switched on, configure sharing for your printer by selecting the “Print & Scan” tab of the System Preferences window.
- Select the printer you need to share from the list on the left side.
- Select “Share this printer on the network.”
How to connect to a shared printer
How to connect to a shared printer in Windows Vista, 7, and 8
- Open the Settings.
- Click on the Devices option.
- Select the Printers & scanners option.
- Next, search and click on the “Add a printer” icon. (it will be available in the top section of the panel).
- Wait for a few seconds, then opt for “Add manually. “
- Now, click on the option “Select a shared printer by name” and then input the printer’s name here.
- At last, select the “Next” tab to add the sharing printer.
- Click on the “Finish” button given at the bottom in the last window.
How to connect to a shared printer in Mac OS
- Open and Launch “System Preferences” via clicking the Apple menu.
- Select the “Print & Scan” button.
- Then select and click on the “+” icon at the bottom of the currently-installed printers list.
- Then select the printer you want to connect with Mac OS.
- Finally, click on the Next button.
How to connect to a shared printer in Windows XP
- Click the Start Button
- Select and open the control panel
- Search and then select the “Printer Tasks” tab.
- Then select the “Add a printer” option.
- This will launch the “Add Printer Wizard.”
- Then select the “Network printer.”
- Now you can connect with the printer by entering details such as the printer’s network name.
- At last, click on the add button.
Tips for printer sharing
- It’s always a good idea to check that your connection is always set to “Private.” This setting facilitates more sharing since practically all operating systems automatically provide more broad sharing choices on a private network than a public one.
- Password-protected sharing gives an added degree of security. When you want to connect with a password-protected printer, you have to type in the username and password of the host computer.
- Many printers feature a WIFI card. It is also feasible to link a printer directly to a wireless network and share it using WIFI. If you connect your printer to a network without navigating through a computer, knowing how to share a printer is straightforward. Shared wireless printers should be accessible to all PCs on the network.
- If you run into trouble connecting a network printer. You can try installing it as a Local Printer in Windows. You need to find the Ip address or UNC name allocated to the printer. One of the techniques to retrieve the IP or UNC name would be to access the settings just on the printer directly. If it has a display screen: go to network settings. You can generally print a network or wireless status report, which often contains the addressing specifics on the network. Remember, while setting Windows with a network printer, you can try adding through a simple right-click on the printer in the Networking instead of completing the Add a Printer process. If you run into trouble installing network printers, add it as a local printer and a new local port referring to the UNC path of the printer.
