It is difficult to imagine a local office or home network without various kinds of peripherals. The most common among them is a printer that allows you to print text documents or some graphic information. The question arises how to provide access to such a printing device from any of the computers on the network. There is an option when an expensive printer is bought that can connect directly to a router / router via Wi-Fi or cable. This is a good solution, but for a small network, such as a home network, it does not seem to be optimal. A more suitable option in this case is to make a network printer connected to one of the network PCs. Let's see how it is implemented.
But first, let's recap the original data. So, we have several computers connected to one network with using Wi-Fi router. A printer is connected to one of the computers via a standard USB cable (in our case, multifunction device HP LaserJet M1132 MFP). The task is to set up the printer so that it can print documents from any of the PCs.
Installing and configuring a network printer in Windows 7/10
First, we will perform the necessary actions on a computer directly connected to the printer. It is assumed that the printing device is installed correctly and works correctly without being connected to the network. It will be enough for us to simply provide general access to the printer in approximately the same way as it opens. However, first you need to make sure that the corresponding option is enabled in Windows, which allows you to make folders and printers public. For this we go to Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center, and then on the left click on the link "Change Extra options public access".
Make sure that the "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" options are active.
In principle, if before that the computer was already working on the network and the files were being shared, then these options should be enabled.
Now we go into . Find our printer, click on it right click and select "Printer Properties".
Next, go to the "Sharing" tab and check the box next to the "Share this printer" option. Set the network name of the device - it must be without spaces. We named the printer HP_LaserJet_M1132_MFP.
Save the settings with the OK button.
How to connect a network printer to other computers
Adding a Printer to Windows 10
Let's try to add our printer to the list of devices on a Windows 10 laptop connected to the network via Wi-Fi. We go to the same section Control Panel - Devices and Printers. At the top, click on the "Add Printer" button.
The computer will start searching for devices and most likely will not find anything. Therefore, click on the link "The required printer is not listed."
In the next window, set the switch to "Select a shared printer by name" and enter the network path in the format \\computername\printername. We got it like this: \\WINCOMP\HP_LaserJet_M1132_MFP.
If drivers are found, the following message will appear.
Click "Install Driver". After a while, the software will be installed and a window will appear informing you that the network printer has been successfully installed.
You can also print a test page, which we did.
Now our HP LaserJet M1132 MFP has appeared in the "Printers" section, completely network-ready.
Adding a Printer in Windows 7
Let's install the network printer on another computer, this time a stationary one with an operating Windows system 7. Go to the already familiar "Devices and Printers" page and click the "Install Printer" button.
In the window that appears, select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer".
We put the switch next to the item "Select a shared printer by name" and, just as in the case of a laptop, we prescribe the network path.
In our case, the connection started, but soon a message appeared that the driver could not be installed.
This happened due to the fact that source computer connected to the printer with a cable, a 64-bit version of Windows 7 is installed and, accordingly, the drivers are selected specifically for it. At the same time, the PC on which we want to add a network printer has a 32-bit version of the system installed. To solve the problem, you need to go to the official website of the device manufacturer and download latest version drivers specifically for your operating system bit depth. Next, unpack the archive with the drivers to any folder, click the "OK" button in the message window and specify the path to the directory. After installation software The network printer installation completes successfully.
The device will appear in the Printers and Faxes list.
Problems setting up a network printer
One difficulty related to drivers has already been discussed above. In order to avoid such problems when connecting the printer to user PCs, it is necessary to initial setup host computer (connected to the printer with a USB cable) install drivers on it at once for all Windows versions. Then when adding a printer on each new computer necessary files will be downloaded automatically over the network, as we did with a laptop. To install the drivers on the "Access" tab, find and click "Additional drivers ..."
Then put the necessary checkboxes and click "OK".
Another problem when installing a network printer has traditionally been associated with user permissions. They are set on the "Security" tab. In theory, if the permission to print is defined for the "Everyone" group, then no additional difficulties should arise when connecting new users.
If you do not want to bother with access rights and do not understand this, then just create with a password ( Control Panel - HomeGroup) and include all computers that should be able to access network printer.
Microsoft has tried to simplify the process of adding a printer to Windows 10. Now that the process is automated, the connection should not be a problem. Most printing devices are connected to the PC via a USB port and often work as soon as you plug them in (and many work via wireless network!). A new printer device may also come with a driver disk.
For the user, the connection should be fast. The streamlined process mainly relies on automatic discovery and identification. When everything is working correctly, the installation will only take a minute or two.
Here's how to add a printer
Log in to your computer under Windows control with an administrator account. Connect your print device to your PC. Click the Start button on your desktop. From the Start menu, select Settings. In the Options window, open Devices. Once the Devices window opens, make sure the Printers and Scanners category is selected.
In the right pane, click Add Printer or Scanner.
Wait until operating system will search for the connected printing device. When Windows finds it, you can click on its name and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
If the operating system cannot detect the connected printing device, click "The printer I want is not listed". In the 'Find a printer with different settings' window, click the 'Add a local or network printer with manual settings' button using the manual toggle button.
Note: If you are an advanced user, you can also select another option from the "Use an existing port" drop-down list.
In the Driver Installation window, from the displayed list of manufacturers on the left side, click to select the one to which the connected printer belongs. On the right side select specific model printer connected to the PC.
Note. At this point, you can also click the "Have Disk" button and find the required driver. Click "Next" to proceed to the next step.
In the "Enter a name" field, enter informational name for the printer and click Next. In the Sharing window, make sure Sharing is selected so that other network users can find and use it. If you do not want to share the printing device with network users, you can select the appropriate option. In the Share Name field, enter a short name.
Note. The name you enter here will be displayed to remote users when searching for this printer over the network.
Optionally, you can fill in the "Location and Comment" fields. Click "Next" to continue.
On the last page Wizard, click the "Print Test Page" button to check the correct connection and correct operation. Click Finish to complete the process.
To understand how to add a printer to Windows 10, you need to have a good knowledge of this operating system. Inexperienced PC users always face similar problems, so this article will be useful.
There are several ways to connect office equipment to a computer or laptop. Depending on the manufacturer of the printing device, configuration is carried out via wireless WiFi network or local network. Let's consider both options separately.
How to install printer on windows 10
The developers of the operating system tried to simplify the process of recognizing additional equipment. By default, this procedure is performed in automatic mode, just connect the device to a computer (usually a USB port, modern models work wirelessly). After performing simple manipulations, the equipment will work correctly.
The computer must be started from account administrator, as it implies the addition of a third-party device. Go to desired section performed according to the following algorithm:
- The Start menu opens.
- The line "Parameters" is selected.
- Click on the "Devices" section.
- Left-click on "Printers and Scanners".
- At the top of the screen, "Add a printer or scanner" is selected.
After completing this sequence, the question “How to install a printer on Windows 10?” should no longer arise, since the operating system will configure it automatically.
If the list does not show the printing equipment, it may be outdated. In this case, manual tuning is performed.
Adding Hardware Manually
When the OS fails to detect the device, you need to know how to connect the printer to Windows laptop 10. To do this, select the line "The required printer is not in the list."
In the window that appears, the last radio button is activated. For clarity, see the screenshot below. The "Next" button is pressed.
The port selection window opens. Here, no adjustments are made, and everything is left by default. We press "Next".
Now the specific manufacturer and model of the printing device that connects to the PC is selected. This procedure allows you to install the correct driver so that everything works stably.
The following step by step helps you learn how to connect a printer to a computer without a disk on Windows 10 and additional utilities. The next step involves entering the name of the equipment. The entered data will be displayed to other users who want to print over the network.
Important!
For successful addition, you must select shared access if you intend to use office equipment by several computers.
How to connect a printer to a laptop via WiFi in Windows 10
Modern office equipment supports wireless networking. Only confident users can configure the equipment. Despite the simplicity of the process, the procedure raises many questions, so we have created detailed instructions.
To connect the device to a laptop via WiFi, you must adhere to the following algorithm:
- WPS is enabled on the router. On some models, this is responsible big button on the hull. If it is missing, then the setting is performed via address bar browser by making changes to the router.
- Office equipment is connected to the network (the WiFi button on the case is pressed or held until the indicator color changes).
- The Options menu opens on the computer.
- In the search bar, the query "printers" is written and clicked "Printers and Scanners".
- The inscription is pressed: "Add a printer or scanner", after which the search begins. Jumps on the line highlighted in blue.
- In order for the equipment to work over a wireless network, the corresponding radio button (the penultimate one) is selected in the screenshot below.
The operating system will do automatic search available equipment, and the user just needs to select it from the list presented. Now you know how to add a printer to Windows 10 on your own without asking a specialist for help.
How to add a printer in Windows 10: Video
When I first installed the Windows 10 Technical Preview, I took a look at the settings menu and wondered if Microsoft was trying to do away with the Control Panel. But, after spending some time with the "Settings" menu, I realized that I was mistaken, take the "Devices" tab, for example. It would seem that here you can fix any problems with devices (for example, a USB microphone that does not work), but this is not the case. It's just a section where you can see connected devices and possibly add or remove some of them.
To find the Devices tab, open the new Windows 10 Settings menu by going to the Start menu and then clicking on Settings under Places and clicking on the Devices icon. This icon will take you to the "Devices" menu, which is more convenient than the "Devices" section in Windows 8.1, but clearly less functional than the Device Manager, which you can open by typing "Device Manager" in the search bar in Windows 10.
The Devices menu combines the devices section in Windows 8.1 with several settings related to the mouse, touchpad, and keyboard. Devices are divided into five sections: Printers and scanners, Connected devices, Mouse and Touchpad, Print, and Autoplay.
Printers and scanners, here you'll find, you guessed it, printers and scanners connected to your computer. This includes anything that works like a printer or scanner, including programs that allow you to "print to PDF" or write documents. At the top of the screen, you will see an option to add a printer or scanner, and clicking on any existing device will remove it. But you won't be able to "fix" the device, or change the way it works, or even set the default printer. To do these things, you will need to open either the Devices and Printers window in the Control Panel or the Device Manager. Luckily, in build 10130, Microsoft added both of these options as links in the settings menu, in the related links section at the bottom of the screen.
Chapter " Connected devices" is similar to the "Printers and Scanners" section, but it is for devices that do not belong to the categories of printers or scanners. At the top of the screen there is an option to add a device, while most of your devices will not need to be added manually if they are connected, if you click this button, the computer will start scanning Bluetooth.Next, you will see a list of connected devices under the heading "Other devices". These devices will include a keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphones and Bluetooth devices. As in the "Printers and Scanners" section, everything that What you can do here is look at these devices and click on them if you want to remove them.At the bottom of the screen, there is a "Related Options" section that offers links to "Devices and Printers" and Windows Device Manager.
Mouse and touchpad allows you to configure several mouse and touchpad settings, such as choosing the primary mouse button and scrolling through lines or screens. If you want to configure advanced mouse settings such as double click or pointer speed, you will need to go to the Control Panel. In the "Similar Options" section, there is a link to additional mouse options.
Typing, is deceptively labeled as a keyboard setting, physical or touch, but the subsection has only two toggles for the autocorrect feature and "underline words with spelling mistakes"Excuse me, but is this a phone or a computer?"
autostart allows you to enable or disable auto-launch (the auto-launch feature automatically launches applications depending on which removable media or a media device was connected), and also allows you to select the default autorun for removable drives and memory cards. You can choose the behavior of autoplay: automatically play media, open a folder to view files, take no action, or prompt you to manually select the desired action.
This article was originally published on January 28, 2015, but was updated on June 2, 2015 with new information from Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview Build 10130. A task: Connect to Windows 10 Pro 64x an HP Laser Jet 1010 network printer connected to a Windows XP machine.
I must say right away that it took almost 3 weeks to solve this problem. Not all the time, of course, but periodically returning to it. Didn't find an answer anywhere.
HP has officially disowned support for this printer in Windows 10: 
So, let's begin.
All slides in one video:
I apologize in advance to Russian-speaking users for Ukrainian-language screenshots - for me, as a Ukrainian, it’s more convenient and pleasant :-) Perhaps I didn’t translate certain terms into Russian very correctly or not like translators from Microsoft, sorry.
01. Download the printer driver for Vista 64x and extract it to a separate folder.
02. Press Win + X (start windows menu Power Shell), select "Control Panel" 
03. Open the "Devices and Printers" section 
04. Click the "Add Printer" button 
05. At the bottom of the window that opens, click the link "The required printer is not in the list" 
06. In the next window, click "Browse" 
07. Find in network environment computer to which the desired printer is connected. 
08. Select the desired printer 
09. Copy full network path 
10. Select "Add a local or network printer manually" and click "Next" 
11. Select "Create a new port", select the port type "Local port" and click "Next" 
12. In the next window, paste the previously copied full network path from the clipboard as the port name 
13. Click OK 
14. In the driver selection window that opens, click the "Install from disk" button 
15. In the next window, click "Browse" 
16. Find the folder into which the driver was unpacked at step No. 02, select the hpc1015w.inf file in it and click the "Open" button 
17. In the next window, click "OK" 
18. Select the model of the printer to be installed and click "Next" 
19. Agree with the offer or come up with your own name for the installed printer, click "Next" 
20. Select "Do not share this printer", click "Next" 
21. If necessary, check the box "Set as the default printer", print a test page for verification and click "Finish" 
Congratulations, you are now able to print again from Windows 10 64x over the network to your HP LJ 1010 shared on a Windows XP machine!
You can install other network printers in the same way, I checked it on the Canon LBP3010 - everything works fine, although before that it didn’t want to be installed, constantly at the stage of installing the driver for this network printer an error window fell out and the spooler service fell, moreover, like on Windows 7 64x, and on Windows 10 64x: 
I hope my experience has helped someone. If you solved the problem of another printer in this way, please unsubscribe in the comments, indicating the model and other information, maybe this will help someone else. Thank you!