How to Set Up Your Computer to Print on a Printer Not Attached to Your Computer, or Print on a Network At School or Work
In today's digitally connected world, many people take their computers to school or work. In fact, many schools and employers actually encourage -- or even require -- students or employees to bring a laptop with them. While using your computer at school or work, you will probably need to print a document on a local network printer. However, in most cases, you are not able to connect your laptop directly to the printer. Although many schools and employers have network administrators who can help you set up your laptop to print on the network printer, you can save yourself some time by setting up the printer connection yourself.
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Instructions
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Obtain the network workgroup or domain information from the network administrator or connection guidelines. You must know this information before you can connect your laptop to the school or workplace network.
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Connect the RJ-45 network cable from the router to your laptop. Alternatively, enable the wireless network connection on your laptop. If connecting to a wireless network, select the appropriate wireless connection and enter the network key or password to access the router when the "Available Wireless Networks" window appears.
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Click "Start," then "Control Panel." Click the "System and Security" option, then the "See the Name of This Computer" link under the "System" header.
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Click "Advanced System Settings" in the "System" window. After the "System Properties" window appears, click the "Computer Name" tab.
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Click the "Network ID" button, then select the "This computer is part of a business network; I can use it to connect to other computers at work" option. Click the "Next" button.
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Select a domain option for the network (ask the network administrator). Follow the remaining prompts to enter the domain or workgroup information for your school or workplace network. If prompted, enter the username and password you use to access the network. Restart the computer after you finish entering the network settings.
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Log in to Windows -- and the network -- with your username and password. Click "Start," then "Devices and Printers."
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Click the "Add a Printer" menu bar option. In the "Add Printer" pop-up window, click the "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer" option, then "Next." Wait for Windows to search the network and detect available shared printers.
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Click and select the name of the network printer to which you want to connect in the "Searching for Available Printers" window. Click the "Next" button. Wait for Windows to retrieve drivers from the network share printer or the computer to which it is connected and display the "You've Successfully Added the Printer" message.
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Enter a descriptive name for the remote printer in the "Printer Name" field, then click "Next."
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Enable the "Set as the Default Printer" option, then click the "Print a Test Page" button. The remote printer prints the test page. Click the "Finish" button to complete the configuration and setup of the network printer. Use the printer as you normally would one connected directly to your computer.
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