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Sharing the Printer on a Network (Windows)

Article ID: ART166166 | Date published: 08/04/2016 | Date last updated: 04/24/2019
 

Description

This article explains how to share your printer on a network.

 

Solution

Your printer can be shared on a network with other computers.  The printer needs to be connected to a PC with a USB cord.  The PC and the printer must be powered on.  The PC that the printer is connected to is the server PC.  The other computers that will use the printer on the network are client PCs.  The computers can be running different versions of Windows.

To set up the server PC, follow these steps.

 Note
  • Click here for instructions on setting up a client PC.
 
  1. Install the MP Drivers on the print server system
     
  2. Select as described below:
     
  • If you are using Windows 10, select the Start menu -> Settings --> Devices --> Devices and Printers.
     
  • If you are using Windows 8 / 8.1, from the Desktop charms, select Settings -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Devices and Printers.
     
  • If you are using Windows 7, select the Start menu -> Devices and Printers.
     
  • If you are using Windows Vista select the Start menu -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Printers.
     
  • If you are using Windows XP, select the Start menu -> Control Panel -> Printers and Other Hardware -> Printers and Faxes.
 
The Devices and Printers window (Windows 10, 8 / 8.1, Windows 7), Printers window (Windows Vista) or Printers and Faxes window (Windows XP) is displayed.
 
  1. Click the icon for the model name of printer to be shared.
  • If you are using Windows 10, press the Alt key, and from the displayed File menu, click Printer properties -> "Your model name" -> Sharing tab.
     
  • If you are using Windows 8 / 8.1, press the Alt key, and from the displayed File menu, click Printer properties -> "Your model name" -> Sharing tab.
     
  • If you are using Windows 7, press the Alt key on your keyboard and then select Printer properties -> Sharing tab from the displayed File menu.
     
  • If you are using Windows Vista, press the Alt key on your keyboard and then select Run as administrator -> Sharing... from the displayed File menu.
     
  • If you are using Windows XP, select Sharing... from the File menu.

 Important
  • In Windows 10, Windows 8 / 8.1, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, a confirmation/warning dialog box may appear when starting, installing or uninstalling software.

    This dialog box appears when administrative rights are required to perform a task.

    When you are logged on to an administrator account, click Yes (or Continue, Allow) to continue.

    Some applications require an administrator account to continue. When you are logged on to a standard account, switch to an administrator account, and restart the operation from the beginning.

 Note
  • Windows XP may display a message recommending the user to use the Network Setup Wizard to set up sharing.

    When this message appears, choose not to use the wizard and then set up sharing.
     

 

  1. Set sharing

    Select Share this printer on the Sharing tab to set a shared name if necessary, and click OK.
    The setup on the print server system is complete. Next, set up the client systems

To set up a client PC, follow these steps.
 

If you are using Windows 10, Windows 8 / 8.1, Windows 7, or Windows Vista
 

  1. Install the MP Drivers on the client systems
     

     Note

    • You must manually select the connection destination on the client computer.
      During installation, click Cancel in the Connect Cable window. When the confirmation message appears, click Yes.
      In the Installation Incomplete window, select the Select printer port check box, click Manual Selection, and then select the appropriate port.
       

  2. Start the wizard.
     
  • If you are using Windows 10, select the Start menu -> Settings --> Devices --> Devices and Printers.--> Add a printer.
     
  • If you are using Windows 8 / 8.1, from the Desktop charms, select Settings -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Devices and Printers --> Add a printer.
     
  • If you are using Windows 7, select the Start menu -> Devices and Printers --> Add a printer.
     
  • If you are using Windows Vista select the Start menu -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Printers --> Add a printer.

 

The Add Printer window appears.

 

  1. Add a printer.
     

    Select Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer, and click the icon for the printer that you have configured on the print server system to be shared, and then click Next.
     

     Note

    • If the icon for the printer is not displayed, check that the printer is actually connected to the print server.

    • It may take some time for the icon for the printer to appear.
       

  2. Complete the setup
Take the appropriate action as described on the screen and then click Finish.
 

  • If you are using Windows 10, Windows 8 / 8.1 or Windows 7, the icon for the shared printer will be created in the Devices and Printers window.

  • If you are using Windows Vista, the icon for the shared printer will be created in the Printers window.


The setup on the client systems is complete. You can now share the printer in the network.

 

If you are using Windows XP

 

  1. Install the MP Drivers on the client systems
     

     Note

    • You must manually select the connection destination on the client computer.
      During installation, click Cancel in the Connect Cable window. When the confirmation message appears, click Yes.
      In the Installation Incomplete window, select the Select printer port check box, click Manual Selection, and then select the appropriate port.

  2. Start the wizard

    Select the Start menu -> Control Panel -> Printers and Other Hardware -> Printers and Faxes -> Add a printer.

    When Welcome to the Add Printer Wizard screen appears, click Next.
     

  3. Add a printer

    Select A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer, then click Next.

    On the Specify a Printer window, click Next and then search for the print server system.

    Click the icon for the printer that you have configured on the print server system to be shared, and then click Next.
     

     Note

    • If the icon for the printer is not displayed, check that the printer is actually connected to the print server.
       

  4. Complete the setup

    Take the appropriate action as described on the screen and then click Finish.
    The icon for the shared printer will be created in the Printers and Faxes window.

    The setup on the client systems is complete. You can now share the printer in the network.


 

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