If you have a printer connected to your Windows 11 PC, you can share it so other computers or devices on your home or office network can print to it. This way, you don’t need to buy a printer for each device — everyone can use the same printer!

Note: The computer that the printer is connected to must be turned on and awake for others to print.

Also, you need to be an administrator on your PC, and File and Printer Sharing needs to be turned on.

1. Share Your Printer Using Windows Settings

Follow these simple steps:

1. 
   Open Settings: Click the Start menu and choose Settings, or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
   
2. 
   Go to Bluetooth & devices: In Settings, click on Bluetooth & devices on the left side.
   
3. 
   Select Printers & scanners: On the right, click Printers & scanners.
   

4. 
   Pick your printer: Click on the printer you want to share.
   
5. 
   Open Printer Properties: Click on Printer properties.
   

6. 
   Go to the Sharing tab: In the new window, select the Sharing tab.
   
7. 
   Change sharing options: Click the Change Sharing Options button.
   

8. 
   Share the printer: Check the box that says Share this printer.
   
9. 
   Name your shared printer: You can give it a new share name if you want—this will be the name others see.
   
10. 
    Save your settings: Click OK to finish.
    

Your printer is now shared! Other computers on your network can find and use it.

2. Share Your Printer Using Devices and Printers

You can also share your printer from the Devices and Printers window:

1. Open Devices and Printers from the Control Panel or Start menu.
2. Right-click the printer you want to share and select Printer properties.

3. Go to the Sharing tab.
4. Click Change Sharing Options.
5. Check the box Share this printer.
6. Click OK to save.

3. Share Your Printer Using PowerShell (Advanced)

If you like using commands, you can share a printer using PowerShell:

1. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Type this command to see all printers on your PC:
   

   Get-Printer | Format-List Name,ShareName,Shared

   
   
3. Find the exact name of the printer you want to share, then run:
   

   Set-Printer -Name "Your Printer Name" -Shared $True

   
   

   Replace Your Printer Name with your printer’s name.
   

4. If you want to set a custom share name, use:
   

   Set-Printer -Name "Your Printer Name" -Shared $True -ShareName "New Share Name"

   
   

That’s it! Your printer will now be shared on the network.

Summary

• Sharing a printer lets all devices on your network print without buying extra printers.
• The PC with the printer must be turned on for others to use the printer.
• You need administrator rights and file & printer sharing turned on.
• You can share your printer using Settings, Devices and Printers, or PowerShell.

Enjoy printing from any device on your network!