Windows 7 / Networking

---

Installing a shared printer

The simplest way to share a printer on a network is to share a printer already attached to one of the computers on the network. Even if you are starting from scratch, meaning you have a printer but have not installed it on any computer, the process is pretty straightforward to install it and share it on a network. You may have already completed some of these steps.

These steps are divided into two sections: attaching the printer to a computer in your homegroup, and then installing the printer on other homegroup computers.

Attaching a printer to a computer in your homegroup

To attach, install, and share a printer on a homegroup computer, follow these steps:

1. Connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable and then turn on the printer.
   Windows may automatically install the printer on your computer the first time you connect it to your computer with a USB cable. Windows comes with printer drivers for most brands of printers, but sometimes cannot find a printer driver that matches your model because the printer is old or very new.
   If Windows cannot find a printer driver, it will offer to search for drivers on another location such as the Web or another folder on your computer. Insert the printer installation disc that came with your printer, and either run the printer installation program (the installation screen usually pops up after you insert the disc) or click the Browse button in the Add printer wizard, and navigate to the CD or DVD drive that contains your printer installation disc.
   If you cannot find your printer installation disc, or Windows displays a message that the printer drivers are not compatible with Windows 7, go to the printer manufacturer's website. Look for their support pages, and look for something like downloads or printer drivers. Most printers should be able to use the same printer drivers for Windows 7 as were used for Windows Vista. Download the printer installation program to your computer. When the download completes, run the installation program.
2. After the printer is installed, click the Start button, and in the Start menu's search box, type share printers.
3. In the list that appears, click Share Printers. The Change homegroup settings window appears.
4. Make sure the Printers check box is selected. If it is already selected, you don't need to do anything more in this window, so click Cancel. If it is not selected, select it and then click Save Changes.

Installing the printer on other homegroup computers

To install a shared printer on another homegroup computer, follow these steps:

1. On the homegroup computer, click the Start button, and in the Start menu's search box, type share printers.
2. In the list that appears, click Share Printers. The Change homegroup settings window appears. Windows detects that there is a shared printer available in the homegroup.
3. Click Install Printer. Windows searches for drivers on this homegroup computer, or on the computer that the printer is attached to, and installs the printer. The Change homegroup settings window then refreshes, and the Install printer message disappears.
4. (Optional) Check to see whether the printer is now available for this computer. Click the Start button and then click Devices and Printers. The Devices and Printers window shows that the new printer HP Photosmart C4400 attached to the homegroup computer KEVINWIN7 is available. The green check mark means it is the default printer.

Installing a printer that is not attached to a homegroup computer

There are several common scenarios where you may want to share printers on your home network but cannot do it through the homegroup. Fortunately, Windows 7 provides other ways to install shared printers on your network. The process is similar to the one previously described for homegroup printers: install the printer, share it, and then install it on the individual computers in the home network. You can use this process to share printers that are attached to the home network but not through homegroup computers:

• Wired or wireless printers attached directly to the home network through a router
• Printers attached to a NAS that is attached to the home network through a router
• Printers attached to non-Windows 7 computers on the home network running Windows XP or Windows Vista

The steps in this process are provided in two sets. In the first set, you will install the printer so it is available to computers on the home network. In the second set of steps, you will install the printer on the other computers in your home network.

Installing and sharing a wired or wireless printer

For your initial setup, you will need an Ethernet cable, even if you plan to use the printer wirelessly. If you will be using this printer wirelessly, and your network is configured for wireless authentication and encryption, you will also need the wireless encryption key or password. The manufacturer's instructions may vary, but generally follow these steps:

1. Insert the printer's installation disc in a computer on your network.
2. Turn on your printer.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions from the printer manufacturer's installation disc.
4. Attach the printer to the router directly with an Ethernet cable when prompted by the installation program. If you are installing the printer as a wireless device, the installation program will tell you when you can remove the Ethernet cable and use the printer wirelessly.