Section 11.4. Sharing a Printer


11.4. Sharing a Printer

If you have more than one PC connected to a network, as described in Chapter 16, they all can use the same printer. In the old days, this convenience was restricted to expensive network printers like laser printers. But in Windows Vista, you can share even the cheapest little inkjet that's connected to the USB port of one computer.

To begin, sit down at the computer to which the printer is attached. Choose Start Network; in the Network window, click "Network and Sharing Center on the toolbar. Proceed as described in Figure 11-5.

Figure 11-5. How to turn on printer sharing: Expand the V-shaped arrow where it says "Printer sharing," and click " Turn on printer sharing." Click Apply. Authenticate yourself (Section 6.3).


Once you've shared the printer, other people on the network can add it to their own Printers windows. Before you begin, though, be aware that nobody can hook into the shared-printer PC without an account on that PC (Chapter 15)one with a password. Printer sharing doesn't work with blank-password accounts.

  1. Choose Start Control Panel. Click "Hardware and Sound," then "Printer," then "Add a printer."

    The "Choose a local or network printer" window appears.

  2. Click "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer."

    After a pause while your PC searches, you see a window populated by all the printers that are available to the other PC.

  3. Click the icon of the printer you want to use, and then click Next. On the "which driver" page, click Next again. Finally, type a name for the printer (as you want it to appear on your PC), and then click Next. On the final screen, click Finish .

    The shared printer appears in your Printers window, even though it's not directly connected to your machine. It's now available for any printing you want to do.




Windows Vista for Starters
Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual
ISBN: 0596528264
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2007
Pages: 175
Authors: David Pogue

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net