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If you have a printer attached directly to your Microsoft Windows Vista computer and a wireless home network you can allow other computers on your home network to print to this printer. Printer sharing is an easy and convenient way to print on a home network. Learn how to share a printer in Windows Vista.
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Introduction
Before you can share a printer on a wireless network you will need a computer running Windows Vista. Attach a printer to this computer via USB, and set up a wireless network. Once you have the network set up you will need to perform the following steps. -
Windows Vista Printer Sharing
This video gives a quick run through on setting up printer sharing and connecting to a shared printer in Windows Vista. It provides a good illustration of the standard steps needed to share a printer in Windows Vista and should give you a good idea of what you will need to do.
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Step 1: Enable Printer Sharing
Set up sharing on the computer that is attached to the printer. If sharing is already enabled then you can skip this step and proceed to Step 2. Otherwise, do these steps:- Click the Start button
- Click Control Panel
- Click Network and Internet
- click Network and Sharing Center
If network discovery is off click the down arrow button to expand the section. Now you should see Turn on network discovery. Click on it and then click Apply. (You might be prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.)
If file sharing is off you will have to click the down arrow button to expand the section, click Turn on file sharing and then click Apply. (Once again you might need to put in a password or provide confirmation.)
If printer sharing is off click the down arrow button to expand the section, click Turn on printer sharing and then click Apply. (Once more you might need to put in a password or provide confirmation.)
If you are using a computer connected to a workgroup, click the down arrow button next to Password protected sharing to expand this section, and then check to see if password-protected sharing is turned on or off. You will probably want to turn it off so that anyone on the network will be able to access the printer you are sharing. Otherwise they will be required to have a user account and password on this computer. Once you have selected the setting you want click Apply.
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Step 2: Share the Printer
So far, you have ensured a printer can be shared. Now you will have to actually share the connected printer.- Click on Start
- Click Control Panel
- Click Hardware and Sound
- Click the Printers window.
- Right-click the printer that you wish to share and in the drop down box click on Sharing…
- Select the Sharing tab
- Click on Change sharing options.
- Click in the box next to Share this printer. You might also want to click on Render print jobs on client computers. This saves this computer from doing extra work every time someone prints to the attached printer.
Step 3: Connect to the Shared Printer
Now that the printer is shared you will have to find it over the network. Assuming that your other networked computer is also running Windows Vista do the following:- Go to the Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Start
- SelectControl Panel
- Click Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center.
Turn on network discovery as described above. Now you should be able to find the computer your printer is attached to and the printer itself.
- Click on Start
- Click Control Panel
- Click Hardware and Sound
- Click the Printers window.
- Click on Add a printer.
- Now locate the shared printer and add it.
Hopefully Vista should automatically load the drivers for this printer and you should then be able to print to it.
Resources Powered by Google
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File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vistatechnet.microsoft.com -
Demo: Sharing printers in Windows Vista
Demo: Sharing printers in Windows Vistawindows.microsoft.com -
Vista Printer Sharing How to
This is an easy article talking about Vista printer sharing through Network and Sharing Center.home-network-help.com -
Sharing Files And Printer Between Windows Vista And Xp
Open Discussion about Sharing Files And Printer Between Windows Vista And Xp Networking Problem - HIGLIGHTS: Vista, Printer, Shar, File, Network, Window, Laptop, Computer, Ultimate...trap17.com