How to Print Share With Vista

Sharing a printer allows all computers on your network to connect to it, so each computer won't need its own printer, saving you money on ink and maintenance. Windows Vista includes streamlined printer-sharing features that function differently from Windows XP's. Share a printer with Windows Vista by setting the workgroup name and network location type, then enabling printer sharing. Connect to a shared printer with the Network window.

Instructions

Set the Workgroup Name

1. Open the System Control Panel by clicking "Start," right-clicking "Computer," then clicking "Properties."

2. Click "Change Settings" under "Computer Name, Domain, and Workgroup Settings" in the System window.

3. Click "Change" in the System Properties window.

4. Type a workgroup name into the "Workgroup" box in the "Computer Name/Domain Changes" window. This workgroup name must be shared by the computers that access the shared printer. By default, "WORKGROUP" is used.

Set the Network Location Type

1. Open the Network and Sharing Center by clicking "Start," right-clicking "Network," then clicking "Properties."

2. Click "Customize" to the right of the network name in the Network and Sharing Center window.

3. Set the network as a private network by clicking "Private" in the "Set Network Location" window and clicking "Next."

4. Confirm the settings by clicking "Close" in the "Successfully Set Network Settings" window.

Share Printers

1. Open the Network and Sharing Center by clicking "Start," right-clicking "Network," then clicking "Properties."

2. Click the down arrow to the right of "Printer Sharing" under "Sharing and Discovery" in the Network and Sharing Center window.

3. Click "Turn on Printer Sharing," then click "Apply."

Connect to a Shared Printer

1. Open the Network window by clicking "Start," then "Network."

2. Double-click the computer sharing the printer in the Network window.

3. Connect to a shared printer by right-clicking it in the Network window, then clicking "Connect."

Tips & Warnings

• View all shared printers and files by clicking "Show Me all the Shared Network Folders on this Computer" in the Network and Sharing Center window.

References

• Microsoft TechNet: File and Print Sharing in Windows Vista