How to Share and configure a Printer in a network.

How to share a printer in a network

1. How to Share a Printer in Windows 10 on Local
Network
Roger
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Using a printer on a computer is usually a simple process. However, when sharing it over a local
network, it could be a bit tricky but not too hard — you can do it easily. You can easily share your
Wireless printer or USB printer. It will connect it through networking. So let’s see how to share a
printer on Local Network in Windows 10.
Follow the following step-by-step guide to share a printer on the local network. First, we’ll see how
it works and what you will require to do that, then follow the given steps.
How it works
One of the computers from the local network will be host computer (where the printer will be
connected directly), and the other computers which are connected to the same network will work
as a client computer. You’ll have to share the printer on the host computer, and the client’s
computer will set up this printer using network through the host computer.
Requirements
First, you’ll require a minimum of two computers connected on the same local network . All
the computer must be connected either by Wi-Fi or by Ethernet cable through router or switch.
Additionally, the printer must be connected to one of the computers via USB and with the updated
drivers. Normally, Windows will install it automatically. Otherwise, you will need to go to the
manufacturer’s download page.
Require basic driver (.inf driver) of the printer to install it on client’s computer.

2. The host computer should be turned ON while printing from another computer. If in case,
your host computer is off, then you’ll not able to print from the client’s computers.
Preparations
before going to follow the steps
Enable “Network Discovery” on the host computer
Turn off password protected sharing on the host computer
Determine the IP address of the host computer
Make sure, both the computers are connected to the same network
Download your printer’s basic driver (.INF Driver)
Step 1: How to Share printer on the host computer
Once the preparations have been made, it is time to share the printer. So follow the following steps.
Go to the control panel from the computer where the printer is physically connected. Once there,
click on View devices and printers.
Then choose the printer and by right-clicking on it, enter the Printer Properties.

3. Now, click on the Sharing tab, tick the Share this printer option. Then press OK.
Back to the previous screen, you can see the printer with an icon indicating that it is being shared.

4. Step 2: How to set up shared printer on the client computer
We’re coming to the end of the tutorial. We will now add the printer on the client computer.
Open control panel Control Panel → then Hardware and Sound → Devices and Printers
→ Add a printer.

5. Then click on the option: Select a shared printer by name. then press Next to continue.
In this window, the shared printer should be found and then listed here automatically. If it doesn’t
find your shared printer then make sure the network discovery option is enabled. Click here to

6. know how to do that.
If this process doesn’t bring the shared printer here then you’ll have to do it manually. Then please
click on The printer I want isn’t listed.
In the box below please add the IP address preceded by \\, in this case, 192.168.1.59 (this is the
IP of the host computer). Here is the step-by-step guide on how to get the IP address of the host

7. computer.
The shared printer will be displayed here. Please select it to share. It will install the printer
driver automatically.

8. After click on select, now it will ask you to provide the printer’s driver in “.inf” format. If it is
asking for driver then you’ll have to download its basic driver first. Click here to know how to
download a printer’s basic driver (.inf driver). After download, extract the driver’s zip file and
then copy the extracted folder path.
After get the driver’s path. Click on have disk.
Right-click on the filed and click on paste and then click on OK.

9. All the driver that are mentioned in the .inf file will be listed here. Select the printer model
number or its series from the list and then click on Next.
Name your printer and click on Next button.

10. It will start the installation process. So let it be completed.
Select “Do not share this printer”

11. You’ve successfully installed the shared printer. Click on Finish to close this installation wizard.
We have finally seen how to share a printer on a local network in Windows 10. It has
been a bit of a long road, but I hope that with these instructions you will be able to access the
printer successfully. See you soon!