How to configure a Shared Network Printer in Windows 7, 8, or 10

How to configure a Shared Network Printer in Windows 

How to share printers without HomeGroup on Windows 10

The easiest method to share a local printer was using HomeGroup, but now even without the feature, you can still share a USB printer with other users in the local network.

To share a printer on Windows 10 with other users (assuming it's already installed on your computer), use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Devices.
3. Click on Printers & scanners.
4. Under the "Printer & scanners" section, select the printer that you want to share.

5. Click the Manage button.

   

6. Click the Printer properties option.

   

7. Click the Sharing tab.
8. Check the Share this printer option.

9. In the "Share name" field, specify a new descriptive name. (If this is the only printer on the network, you can use the default name.)

   

10. Click the Apply button.
11. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the printer will be available to network users while your computer is powered on.

Connecting devices to a shared printer

To connect clients to the shared printer on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Devices.
3. Click on Printer & scanners.
4. Click the Add a printer or scanner button.

5. Select the printer from the list to add to the device. If the printer discovery doesn't work, click The printer that I want isn't listed option.

   

6. Choose the Select a shared printer by name option.

7. Type the path of the printer location:

   \\xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx\PRINTER-SHARE-NAME

   

   In the command, make sure to change the "xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" and "PRINTER-SHARE-NAME" for the IP address (or computer name) and share the name of the printer that you're trying to connect.

   Quick tip: You can also click the Browse button to locate and select the shared printer.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Install driver button.

   

10. Click the Next button.

    

11. Click the Finish button.

    

After completing the steps, you should be able to send a print job to the network printer successfully.

Connect to printer from older computer

If you're running an older version of Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, the steps to connect to the printer will be slightly different:

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Click on Hardware and Sound.

   

3. Click on the Devices and Printers option.

   

4. Click the Add a printer button.

   

5. Select the printer from the list to add to the computer. If the printer discovery doesn't work, click The printer that I want isn't listed option.

   

6. Choose the Select a shared printer by name option.

7. Type the path of the printer location:

   \\xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx\PRINTER-SHARE-NAME

   

   In the command, make sure to change the "xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" and "PRINTER-SHARE-NAME" for the IP address (or computer name) and share the name of the printer that you're trying to connect.

   Quick tip: You can also click the Browse button to locate and select the shared printer.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Install driver button.

   

10. Click the Next button.

    

11. Click the Finish button.

    

Once you complete the steps, remember that users will only be able to print as long as the device sharing the printer is powered on and connected to the network. If the computer is sleeping, hibernating, or powered off, no one will be able to print.