How to Connect Your Laptop to a Shared Printer on Windows XP
One of the useful features of Windows XP is the ability to share printers over a network. This allows anyone who is connected to the network to use the printer, not just the person whose computer is directly connected to the printer. The process to connect your laptop to a shared printer on Windows XP is not a difficult one, and it can be done in just a few moments.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Computer on a network that is attached to a printer
- Laptop computer on same network
Instructions
-
-
1
Go to the computer that is attached to the printer and log in to Windows. Click on the "Start" button, then click on the "Printers and Faxes" button. Right-click on the printer that you wish to share and click the "Sharing..." button. Select the option marked "Share this printer" and choose a name for the printer. Click the "Apply" button, then click the "OK" button.
-
2
Go to your laptop computer and log in to Windows. Ensure that you are connected to the network via either a wireless or Ethernet connection. Click on the "Start" button, then click on the "Printers and Faxes" button. Click the "File" button, then click "Add Printer."
-
-
3
Click the "Next" button on the Add Printer Wizard window. Select the "A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer" option, then click the "Next" button. On the next screen, choose the option to "Browse for a printer."
-
4
Browse through the list of network computers and printers until you find the printer you want to connect to. Select it by left-clicking on it with your mouse, then click the "Next" button. Click the "Yes" button in the pop-up window titled "Connect to Printer." Wait for the printer drivers to fully install on your computer then click on the "Finish" button.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can send a test page to the printer to ensure that it is working correctly by right-clicking on the printer and selecting "Printer Properties," then selecting the option to print a test page.
If you don't see the "Printers and Faxes" button when you click on the "Start" button, you can find it in the Control Panel. Access the Control Panel by clicking on the "Start" button, then on "Control Panel."
