This post shows students and new users steps to share a printer in Windows 11.
In Windows 11, you can add a new printer and share it with others on the same network, whether at home or in the office.
There are two methods one can use to share a printer. If you have a network printer and are connected to your network via a router or switch, then all PCs should be able to connect to the printer and add it individually directly.
However, if the printer is not a network printer but is attached or installed directly to one PC in the home, you can share it on the PC it’s connected to with other PCs in the home or office.
For others to add and print to the printer, ensure the printer is connected to the primary PC wirelessly or by using a USB cable and then turn on the printer.
Also, ensure the primary PC is turned on, connected to the printer, and connected to the network. Once all the requirements are checked above, use the steps below to share the printer so others can print to it.
How to share a printer in Windows 11
Again, one can share a printer connected to a PC with other users in a home network or office. You’ll need to know the name of the primary PC ( the PC the printer is connected to).
It should be installed and connected to the primary PC to share a printer. If you haven’t installed the printer, use the post below to learn how to add a printer on Windows 11.
How to add a printer on Windows 11
Once the printer is installed and ready, use the steps below to share it with others.
Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. Everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its System Settings pane.
To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:
Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it.
Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, then select Printers & scanners on the right pane of your screen, as shown in the image below.
Next, click on the tile of the printer you want to share. If you have multiple printers installed on your PC, they should all be listed on this page.
Once the printer detail pane opens, select the Printer Properties tile as highlighted below.
Click the Change Sharing option under the Sharing tab on the pop-up windows, as highlighted below.
Finally, check the box next to Share this printer to share the printer. In the Share name box, type in a shared name that other PCs will see when connecting to the printer. The name can be descriptive to identify the particular printer.
If you want, edit the shared name of the printer. You’ll use this name to connect to the printer from a secondary PC.
The printer should be shared and ready for other PCs to connect and add it.
How to connect to a shared printer on Windows 11
Now that the printer is shared above, if you want to print to it from another PC in the same network, use the steps below.
Read this post below to learn how to add a printer on Windows 11
How to add a printer on Windows 11
When adding a shared printer on another PC,
- If you don’t see the printer you want, select The printer that I want isn't listed
- In the Add printer dialog box, select Select a shared printer by name, and then enter the computer or device name of the primary PC and the share name of the printer using one of these formats:
- \\computername\printername
- http://computername/printername/.printer
- When prompted to install the printer driver, select Next to complete the installation.
By default, you need the username and password of the primary PC to access the printer.
Once all is connected and added, you can print to the printer from the secondary PCs on your network.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to share a printer on Windows 11 and connect to a shared printer. Please use the comment form below if you find any errors above or have something to add.
Leave a Reply