How to Install a networked Printer in Windows XP

Some printers can connect to the network wirelessly.

Windows XP includes support for printing to networked printers. Windows can print to a printer that another computer is sharing or one directly connected to the network. After you install the printer, it appears in the printers dialog and works identically to printers connected locally. If the printer is shared through a computer on the local network, you can only print to it while the other computer is turned on.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" and click "Printers and Faxes."

2. Click "Add a Printer" at the left side of the Printers and Faxes window.

3. Click "Next" in the Add Printer Wizard window that appears.

4. Select the "A Network Printer, or a Printer Attached to Another Computer" option and click "Next."

5. Select "Browse for a Printer" and click "Next."

6. Click the name of the printer under the computer sharing it and click "Next."

7. Click "Yes" to install the printer driver.

8. Click the "Finish" button.

Tips & Warnings

• Right-click the printer in the Printers and Faxes window and click "Set as Default Printer" to make it the default printer.

• If you know the location of the printer, you can select "Connect to This Printer" instead of "Browse for a Printer" and type the location of the printer in the form "\\Computer\PrinterName," replacing "Computer" with the name of the computer sharing the printer and "PrinterName" with the name of the printer.

• Only install printers you trust. Windows downloads printer drivers for the printer from the computer sharing it. These drivers could contain viruses or other malicious software.

References

• Microsoft: How to Set Up a Small Network with Windows XP Home Edition (PART 6)