How to Install a Local Printer
Newer versions of Windows make installing printers less of a chore, but it can still be an annoyingly complex process. Most systems have two options for printer installation: local printers (those attached to the computer they are being installed on) and network printers (those installed on a different computer and used remotely). Oddly, installing local printers is often more difficult.
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Instructions
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Perform a Simple Insallation
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Figure out the type of port your printer's cable uses, and make sure you have one of them on the back of your computer.
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Plug your printer into the first port of its type available on your system. By installing it in the first port, you can find more easily if the computer isn't able to automatically detect it.
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Install the software that came with your new printer or download it from the manufacturer's website if the included software is more than a few months old. If your computer doesn't recognize your printer, you will need to perform a more complex installation.
Perform a Complex Installation
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Open the Control Panel and click on "Printers and Faxes," then "Add Printer."
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Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard, making sure to use the "Local Printer" option.
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Select the proper port for your printer when asked. If you put it in the first slot on the computer, it will either be in COM1 (a hole/peg plug a little over an inch long), LPT1 (a much larger hole/peg plug) or USB1 (a small, rectangular plug).
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Find your printer on the list of available printers. These are organized by manufacturer and then model. If you can't find your printer on the list, click the "Have Disk" button and search the included software for a driver.
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Choose whether or not to share the printer. If no one else uses it, you don't need to share it. If you have multiple computers or a home network, sharing your printer will allow everyone to print.
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