How to Add a Printer Without the Software
Printers often come with software installation discs that include the printer manufacturer’s printer software and printer drivers. The software installation disc adds the printer to your system and installs its required drivers as part of the installation process. If you don’t have the printer’s software, you can add a printer without the software using the Windows Add Printer wizard. Windows includes printer drivers for a variety of printers and can automatically download additional drivers from Windows Update, if necessary.
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Instructions
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Connect the printer to your computer using its included cable and power the printer on. Windows automatically adds the printer if it’s a USB printer.
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Click “Start” and select “Devices and Printers.”
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Click the “Add a Printer” option on the Devices and Printers window’s toolbar and select “Add a Local Printer” in the window that appears.
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Click the box to the right of Use an Existing Port, select the port you plugged the printer into in the list and click “Next.”
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Select the printer’s manufacturer and model by clicking the options in the Manufacturer and Printers box and click “Next.” Click the “Windows Update” button to automatically download more printer drivers if you don’t see your printer in the list.
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Type a name for the printer into the Printer Name box and click “Next.” Windows adds the printer to your system.
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Select “Do Not Share This Printer” or “Share This Printer” if you want to allow other people on your network to use the printer, then click “Next.” Type a share name, location and comment into the boxes if you decide to share the printer.
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Click the “Print a Test Page” option to verify your printer is working correctly and click “Finish.”
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Tips & Warnings
Add a networked, wireless or Bluetooth printer by clicking the “Add a Network, Wireless or Bluetooth Printer” option in the Add a Printer window. Windows displays a list of nearby networked printers to select from.
Make a printer the default printer by right-clicking it in the Devices and Printers window and selecting “Set as Default.”
References
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