How to configure a Shared Network Printer in Windows?

Updated: Monday, 15 July, 2019
Joe Elliot

How to configure a Shared Network Printer in Windows?

If you have a network where multiple devices and operating systems are used, you may not be able to use Homegroup to share the network easily. In such situations, you need to share your folders and devices using different procedures. For example, sharing a printer with the network involves a different and longer set of steps. This is how it works in Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10:

NOTE: Sharing a printer works the same way in Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Therefore, for simplicity's sake, in this tutorial, we will use screenshots taken only in Windows 10. Some images may be slightly different versions of Windows, but the essential is the same.

How to share a printer with the network, in Windows

First, open the Devices and Printers panel. There you will see a list with all the external devices installed on your PC. Go to the Printers section and select the printer you want to share.

Right-click or keep it pressed and then go to Printer Properties in the right-click menu. If you have a multifunction printer that also works as a fax, scanner or both, you may have to choose which of your properties you want to select. Select the properties of the printer. In my case, I use a Canon Pixma MG2400 printer that works just like a printer, so I only had one option: printer properties.

The Printer Properties window opens. Depending on the printer model and its drivers, you will see different tabs and options.

1. Go to the Share tab, which is common to all printers.
2. Here you can share the printer with the entire network. Check the box that says "Share this printer." Then, you can edit the printer's shared name, in case you do not want to use the default name provided by Windows.
3. Representing all print jobs on client computers can help maintain performance levels on the computer where the printer is connected, especially when ordering large print jobs. Check the box "Perform print jobs on client computers" if you want this function to be enabled.
4. When finished, click or touch OK. The printer is now shared with the other computers in your network, regardless of the operating systems you are using.

Steps to share the printer in the main computer

There are a couple of methods to do this, as mentioned below. Also keep in mind that in case you need it, you can edit the name Share of the printer. It is used when connecting to it from a different PC.

Using Settings

1. Select Start, then click on Settings and navigate to Devices> Printers and Scanners.
2. Select the printer you need to share and click Manage.
3. Click on Printer Properties and select the tab titled Share.
4. In the tab, click Share this printer.

Using the Control Panel

1. In the search box of the taskbar, enter the Control Panel and select it.
2. Under Hardware and Sound, click on View devices and printers.
3. Right-click on the device you need to share and click on Printer Properties.
4. On the tab titled Share, click Share this printer.