How to Connect 2 Computers to 1 Printer

When you connect a printer to a computer using a USB cable, you can allow other computers on your local area network to print to the device. Using printer sharing, which is available on both PC and Mac computers, multiple computers on the same network can print to a printer, even if the printer is not connected directly to the system.

Things You'll Need

• PC or Mac computers
• USB printer
• USB cable

Instructions

PC Instructions

1. Connect the printer to your PC computer using the USB cable. Then turn the printer on. Windows will detect the printer automatically and install it on your computer.

2. Open "Start" menu, and click "Printers and Faxes" icon.

3. Right-click the icon of the printer you want to share with another computer and select "Properties."

4. Go to the Sharing tab at the top of the pop-up window.

5. Click on "Share this printer," and then type in a name for the printer. Click "OK" to save the settings.

6. Go to the other PC computer that you want to print from, and open the "Printers and Faxes" control panel again.

7. Click "Add a printer," and select the option that says "A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer." Click "Next" to continue the set-up process.

8. Type in the location of the shared printer based on the name you chose in Step 5. Then click finish to complete the setup process. You will now be able to print from the remote computer.

Mac Instructions

1. Connect the printer to your Mac computer using a USB cable, and then turn the printer on.

2. Open System Preferences by clicking on "Dock." Then click "Print & Fax."

3. Click on the "+" symbol on the left side of the window and go to the Default tab in the pop-up window.

4. Select the printer you want to install from the list of available hardware and click "Add."

5. Go to the Sharing settings in System Preferences. Check the box next to "Printer Sharing" to enable the service.

6. Check the box next to the printer you want to share with the second computer.

7. Go to the other Mac computer you want to print from and open the "Print & Fax" control panel in System Preferences.

8. Click on the "+" symbol. The shared printer will now be included in the list of available printers. Select the printer and click "Add" to begin printing from the remote computer.