Connecting via the printer's local path. One printer for all computers

When designing a local computer network in the SOHO segment (Small Office Home Office), the question always arises of how to install and configure a printer on a computer running the Windows 7 operating system. There is more than one solution to this issue:

Network printer

Modern printing device(or MFP - a multifunctional device that combines Printer, scanner and even Xerox), as a rule, provides for connection to a local network via a UTP cable and supports the TCP/IP protocol. Such devices are usually called network. The built-in software of such devices allows you to distribute the load between all users, organize queues for sending data for printing, maintain statistics, set printing priorities between users, and much more.

This solution is the most technologically advanced, allowing rational use of its resources by all network users, but such printing equipment, with all other characteristics being equal, is more expensive. An additional cost will be the need to lay an additional cable between the MFP and the Wi-Fi router. Portable devices - a laptop or netbook can be connected either via cable or via a Wi-Fi interface. The topology of such a network is shown in the figure:

Local printer

The available complex does not provide for connection using TCP/IP, but only via USB or even older connection options, such as (LPT/COM). This printer must be connected to one of the local computers, and then use the services provided by the Windows 7 operating system and provide access to this equipment to everyone who needs it. Portable devices - a laptop or netbook can be connected either via cable or via a Wi-Fi interface. The topology of such a network is shown in the figure:

Print Server

A solution used in large offices and large computer networks. Printing device(usually MFP) connects to a separate computer on which specialized software is deployed, collectively called a print server.

Industrially produced individual devices, where the print server is implemented at the microsoftware level. Physically, it is a small box that is connected to a local network and receives information from printing devices via its existing connection interfaces. Portable devices: a laptop or netbook can be connected either via cable or via a Wi-Fi interface. The topology of such a network is shown in the figure:

Local installation

How to install a local printer on Windows 7 is described in detail in the accompanying documentation supplied with the equipment. But since reading documentation is considered bad form, we will describe a typical situation.

Network printer and print server

Installing a network printer in a Windows 7 environment from the point of view of the user of any computer (be it a desktop computer or a laptop) on a local network looks exactly the same and is done through “ Control Panel», « Devices and Printers", but the difference is that you need to add a new printer (we assume that the network device is already installed on the local network):

The system will independently scan the network, detect installed network servers, or print servers, and report their names. All that remains is to select the ones you need from those found.

Unlike a local printer, for which drivers are searched on the Internet, Manufacturers of network devices store them in the device itself. Installation of the necessary drivers occurs automatically, which the system informs about with messages similar to those displayed when installing a local printer.

In case of unexpected situations, it is described in detail how to install a network printer in the Windows 7 operating system on the software provider's website. Setting up an already installed Windows 7 network printer is done in the same way as setting up a local printer via " Control Panel», « Devices and Printers», « Properties» This configuration of a remote printing device is carried out on a PC network with Windows 7, regardless of the territorial remoteness of the printer itself. For this, any computer with access to the network can be used: desktop, laptop and even tablet.

If the question arises of how to install a printer on a Windows 7 laptop or netbook, then we follow the same methods as when installing device drivers on a regular computer.

We install local printing equipment according to the method of installing a local printer, and a network printing device - as a network one.

If the printer is connected locally via Bluetooth or an infrared port, then its installation is carried out in the same way as in the network version. Such a device must first be turned on so that when scanning nearby devices, the operating system can recognize it.

Drivers are installed automatically from the Internet, or from the installation disk supplied by the device supplier. The network administrator can allow or deny the connection of existing network printing devices, or devices included in the workgroup as local (via a wireless interface) for specific laptops running Windows 7.

Video on the topic

By sharing a printer on a local network, you can connect all users to the same printer. Here we will look at how to connect a printer over a network, that is, a printer that is directly connected to another computer on the network. we considered, so in this article we will assume that the printer is already connected to the print server and configured properly.

Connecting to a printer over a network

I would like to note that here are various ways to connect a printer over a network, which are relevant when the printer is connected directly to a computer and the computers are on the same network. Even if it's . To connect a printer via a local network, you can use several methods:

1. The first method is the most correct way to connect the printer via a local network. To do this we need to open a window Control Panel - Hardware and Sound - Devices and Printers and press the button Adding a Printer. The computer will then begin searching for connected and available printers. In most cases, it makes no sense to wait until the check is completed, so click the button The printer you need is not in the list. After this we need to fill in the field Select shared printer by name. The printer name must consist of the name or computer to which it is connected, as well as the network name of the printer, which must be separated by a left slash (\). The network name of the printer is set automatically in the tab Access V Properties printer. Example printer name: \\pcname\printname
   Then you need to press the button Further.
2. The second method includes the same actions, only in a slightly different sequence. You need to open the window Network(Network Discovery) and find there the computer to which the printer is connected. If you double-click on this computer, you will see a window with shared resources, among which the printer should be located. Having found the printer, you need to call up its context menu and select the command Join.
3. The third way to connect a printer over a network is to change the port of an already created printer. For this it is necessary to Printer properties open tab Ports and press the button Add port. Next, you must specify the network name of the printer, as in the first case. It is not at all necessary to use this method as the main one. Personally, I used it only when I couldn’t connect and configure the printer via a local network. In this case, I created a very ordinary printer with default settings that were in no way related to this printer, and then I changed its skeleton: I changed the port, I changed the drivers, I changed other settings.

But you must understand that the methods described above for connecting a printer over a network do not bring the matter to its logical conclusion. After completing these steps, the computer begins to request drivers for this printer from the print server. Naturally, the print server has drivers for this printer. But they are suitable for your computer only if the operating system and its bitness on both computers are the same. If not, then wait for an error that the printer could not be connected. And then you will have to think for yourself where to get the drivers. I note that the computer queries for the presence of not only a print server, but also its own driver storage. Therefore, you need to stock up on the necessary drivers, and it is advisable to install them on the system before you start connecting the printer. In this case, the driver will be picked up automatically.

Additional printer drivers

As I already said, when connecting a shared printer over a network, the computer asks the print server for the availability of drivers that are suitable for this system. If the answer is negative, technical support will have to look for the appropriate drivers and install them on the remote computer. Moreover, such actions will have to be performed for almost every computer that will connect to this printer. And you will also have to redo the same process after reinstalling the operating system. Wouldn't it be easier if all the necessary drivers were stored in the print server's memory? Indeed, in this case, connecting a shared printer over a local network will happen in a couple of clicks and you will not need to waste time searching and. To do this, you need to add additional drivers for this printer.

When we connected the printer to the print server and configured it, we loaded the driver into the print server’s memory, which is supported by this operating system (the operating system of the print server). By additional drivers we mean drivers that are compatible with other versions of operating systems or with other architectures. These are the ones we need to put into the print server’s memory. The search for the necessary drivers is your concern, but I will show you how to add them later.

1. Control Panel.
2. Equipment and sound.
3. Devices and Printers.
4. Calling the context menu of the desired printer and pressing the button Printer properties.
5. Open tab Access and press the button Additional drivers.
6. Next, you will be asked to select the operating system architecture( x86 or x64). Typically, drivers for one of the architectures are already installed (print server architecture). You need to select a different architecture and specify the location of the appropriate driver.
7. Wait until the operating system adds these drivers to the system, and then save the results.

After these steps, the print server will store drivers for both of the most common architectures of client operating systems, and the process of connecting the printer over the network will take place in a couple of clicks.

If your home or business has several computers (PCs) and only one printer, then it would be more advisable to connect the printer via a local network. This will allow you to print documents from any computer, even if the gadget itself is not directly connected to an active computer.

Connecting and installing the driver

First of all, you need to connect the printer to your PC and install all the necessary drivers. You can do this as follows:

After this, the printing device will operate in standard mode. Also, modern models require the installation of a cartridge and one sheet of paper. This is necessary for diagnostics, and the result will be printed on a piece of paper.

There is also a way to connect via Wi-Fi (if this function is supported):

1. Need to install drivers on the PC, and plug the device into a power outlet.
2. After reboot it is required turn on Wi-Fi on PC.
3. Go to Start and go to devices and printers.
4. Select the required gadget and right-click to make it default device.

After these steps, all files for printing will be sent to the device via a wireless network.

Creating a local network

To connect and configure a printer via a local network in Windows 7, 8, 10, you first need to create it:

1. Go to control Panel.
   
2. Choose network control center and general access.
   
3. In the left column go to Change adapter settings.
   
4. Right-click on the local network icon and select properties.
   
5. Place a check mark next to the line Internet Protocol Version 4 and go into properties.
6. A window will open with computer address, netmask and default gateway. The first line must be changed to 192.168.1.1; this value will change for each connected PC. Change the second line to the form 255.255.255.0. The third line must differ from the first by at least one digit.
7. After which you need to select type of future network. It is recommended to choose homemade.
   

For the second computer, we repeat the instructions, but change the last digit of the address, for example to 192.168.1.2. The mask and gateway must be identical, otherwise the computers will not connect. This will create a local network.

Sharing the printer

To allow anyone to print files, you must share the printer on the network. To do this, follow the instructions:

1. Press keyboard shortcut Win+R.
   
2. Enter command controlprinters and execute it.
   
3. All gadgets will be displayed in the window that appears. Necessary choose one of them, set as default and go to its properties.
   
4. In the access tab provide general.
   
5. Also provide drivers that will install automatically to connected devices.
   
6. The system will ask The path to the folder with the necessary drivers. The files need to be run and the contents extracted.
   
7. Select folder to extract files or create a new one.
   
8. Click on review and select the path to this folder.
   
9. Go to devices and printers and go to the property of the selected device.
   
10. On the security tab, check the box next to the stamp in the column allow.
    

If after trying to connect to the printer an error appears, then you should check whether Windows Defender is enabled. Quite often, when it is activated, all problems with gaining access go away. After this, the local printer will become a network printer.

How to connect to a network printer

You can find a network printer and connect to it on another computer using the following scheme:

After this, just open any file for printing and print it through the top menu. The network device will be displayed in absolutely any program on the PC with which it is possible to send a document for printing.

Connecting a network printer

Simply connecting the printer to the local network is not always effective. For example, it will be impossible to print a file if the PC connected to the printing device is not functioning. To avoid such inconveniences, use network printers. Their connection occurs as follows:

1. Connect cable into the Ethernet port on the printer, and the other end into the router.
   
2. If a Wi-Fi connection is supported, it is enough enter password and login to connect to the network.
   
3. Press keyboard shortcut Win+R, enter the command controlprinters. Execute it.
   
4. There will be install button. Click on it.
   
5. Add local printer, click next.
   
6. Mark line creating a new port and proceed further.
   
7. Provide address device, which can be found in the settings. Uncheck the device poll line. Click next and wait.
   
8. In a new window go to parameters and set the following values:
9. Install drivers from disk.
   
10. Then set a name device, click next.
    
11. In the last window, check the box so that the device was used by default.
    

In order for more than one computer to have access to the printer, you need to complete all of the above steps on each PC.

Printers are found almost everywhere among modern users. Everyone should be able to work with these devices. After all, such a component is necessary for printing documents and photographs. It often happens that the printer is connected to one computer, but it needs to be used on other machines. For example, in offices. This situation is called working over a network. This is a very useful feature. It allows you to use a printer connected to one computer by several machines. Only such a process has a huge number of features and nuances. How to make a network printer in a particular operating system? What tips and recommendations will help bring your idea to life? All this will be discussed further below.

Connecting a printer

The first step is to ensure that the operating system recognizes the connected device. It is not hard. The main thing is to know a few tricks and secrets.

How to make a network printer? The first step is to initialize it on the host computer. The whole process boils down to the following algorithm:

1. Install the device in a convenient place. Next, connect it to the network (outlet).
2. Connect the printer and computer with a USB cable.
3. Turn on the machines and wait for them to boot.
4. Install the printer driver on your computer. It is usually included with the device on a special installation disk. If there is no driver, you need to download it from the manufacturer’s website and initialize it.

Accordingly, after the above steps you will get a local printer. It will only work on one machine. Under certain circumstances, you can force the printer to print documents from different computers. To do this, it needs to be assigned network status.

Briefly about the main thing

In reality, everything is simpler than it seems. Each user is able to make the printer network. Windows allows you to bring your idea to life with a few clicks.

Briefly speaking about the process, it boils down to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Set up a local home network among computers that will have access to the printer. How to do this will be discussed below.
2. Make sure the printer actually works. To bring your idea to life, it is suggested that you print a test page.
3. Share and configure printers and files on the host computer with other network participants.

After this everything will work without much difficulty. But working with groups of computers usually brings a lot of trouble. Especially for novice users. What does everyone need to know before bringing their idea to life?

Firstly, it is advisable to set the same time on all computers on the network. This is necessary for successful device synchronization.

Secondly, computers need to be assigned IP addresses. Typically, this task is delegated to routers and other routers. This way, the local network will only apply to machines with specific IPs. If you don't have a router, you can manually assign an address. This will be discussed later.

Assign a work group to all PCs. It should be the same. This is easier to do than it seems. To do this, right-click on “My Computer”, then select “Properties”. Next, click on “Change settings” in the “Computer name” section. In the window that appears, you need to click on “Change”. In the "Working Group" section, write the required combination. For example, workgroup. A similar procedure is repeated on all PCs that are connected via a local network.

You can reboot the operating system! All these tips will help get your computer ready to connect to the local network.

Manual IP assignment

How to make a network printer? All the previously listed tips will help bring your idea to life. The assignment of an IP address to computers within a particular workgroup requires special attention. As already mentioned, this feature is usually transferred to routers and routers. But you can carry out the procedure for assigning an address manually.

To do this you need:

1. Click on the "Network" icon in the computer management area (near the clock). This is either a monitor image or a signal scale.
2. In the menu that appears, select "Network and Sharing Center".
3. Click on the line "Change adapter settings".
4. All networks that are running on the computer will appear on the screen. You must select the one to which you plan to connect as a group. Right-click on the corresponding icon and go to “Properties”.
5. Find "Internet Protocol Version 4". Select the line and click on the "Properties" button.
6. Check the box next to "Use the following IP". Enter the mask and address number. For example, IP - 192. 168. 0. 1. The mask is 255. 255. 255. 0. This is the standard setting. It is set the same on all computers.
7. Save changes. Repeat this procedure on all computers that will work on the network with the printer. Only change the last digit of the IP address. The second computer will receive the number - 192.168.0.2, the third - 192.168. 0. 3 and so on.

This is how the IP address is manually configured. Usually the operation is performed automatically. So how to make a printer networked via a router or any other method?

Create a group

To do this, it is necessary, as already mentioned, to create a local network and configure it. In the situation being studied, a home group will be used. This is one in which the main computer "knows" all the participants.

The implementation of the idea occurs as follows:

1. Open "Sharing Center".
2. Click on the inscription "Public Network".
3. In the window that appears, select "Home Network".
4. Now you need to click on the “Select home group and sharing options” button. Next, click on “Create a home group”.
5. How to make a local printer network? It is at this stage that you need to be careful. The user will be prompted to select a list of items to share on the network. Be sure to check the box next to "Printers".
6. Click on the "Next" button. The user will be given an access password. It needs to be written down.

At this point, the homegroup has been created. Now you can connect other computers to it. After this, the question of how to make a printer network on Windows 7 will be almost completely resolved.

Connecting to a home group

In fact, everything is simpler than it seems. After the previous operations with assigning a workgroup name and IP address, there are only a few steps left. They must be done on all third-party PCs that will work with the printer.

Connection instructions look like this:

1. Open "Start".
2. Enter the word "home" in the search bar. On Windows 7 and newer systems, you can quickly search for relevant information.
3. Select "Home Network". It will definitely be found by the computer after setting the appropriate access parameters.
4. Click on the "Join" button. Select items to share. As in the previous case, be sure to check the “Printers” item.
5. Click “Next” and enter an access password if necessary. It is clarified with the owner of the main PC. If desired, the administrator can disable the password.

The process is done with all computers that will work within the homegroup. But the matter doesn't end there.

Enable access

Now all that remains is to share the printer on computers. What does that require? How to make a network printer in one case or another?

It is required to open general access in some settings of the computer and the connected device. To bring the idea to life it is proposed:

1. Open Network and Sharing Center. Click "Advanced options" there.
2. Check the boxes next to the items: “Enable network discovery”, “Enable file and printer sharing”, “Allow Windows to manage connections”.
3. Go to "Control Panel" - "Network and Internet" - "Home Group". Check there "Change resources...".
4. In the "Printers and Devices" section, select "General" and click on "Next", then on "Finish".
5. Visit the "Control Panel" again. In it, go to the “Hardware and Sound” - “Devices and Printers” section.
6. Right-click on the icon of the printer the group will work with. Select "Printer Properties".
7. In the "Access" tab, check the box next to "Sharing". Then you are prompted to give the printer a name.

The steps taken result in the connected device appearing on all computers. From now on, it’s clear how to make a printer network on Windows 10 or any other operating system.

Manual addition

Sometimes the connected printer is not automatically detected. Under such circumstances, it is suggested that you manually add the device to each PC on your home network.

How to do it? Necessary:

1. Go to "Control Panel" - "Hardware and Sound" - "Devices and Printers".
2. Click on "Add a printer" in the window that appears. For Windows 7, you need to click on “Add network...”, and in newer operating systems, click on the detected device and complete the procedure.
3. You can click on “The printer you need is not in the list.” Then click on "Browse...".
4. Select the PC to which the printer is connected, and then the corresponding device. Click on "Next" and then complete the definition of the machine in the operating system.

This completes the whole process. Now it’s clear how to make a network printer. But what other advice and recommendations do users give each other?

Via router

As already mentioned, a router or other router is often used to bring an idea to life. What is the algorithm of action if you are wondering how you can make a printer networked via a router?

In such circumstances, the work is as follows:

1. The router connects to the PC. Next, a printer is connected to it via Wi-Fi or USB.
2. Turn on the router and then the printing device.
3. Log into the router interface and check the printer connection. To do this, write the IP in the web browser, located on the back of the router. Usually this is 192. 168. 1. 1. Next, enter the login and access password. The information is on the router.

Nothing else is needed. But how can you make a printer networked? A WiFi router allows you to do this quickly and without problems.

Settings for routers

In general, the process is not much different from the algorithms already given. Therefore, the procedure for setting up printing equipment within a home network will not cause any special problems.

How to make a printer networked via WiFi? For this:

1. Go to "Control Panel" - "Hardware and Sound" - "Devices and Printers".
2. Wait. Next, click on “Printer is not in the list.”
3. Select "Add via TCP/IP". Dial the IP used to enter the router menu.
4. Wait a little. Check the "Special" item in the "Device type" section. Click on "Options".
5. In the window that appears, click on the LPR protocol and set any queue name.
6. Click on "Require additional port information". A menu appears after clicking the "Next" button.
7. Check the appropriate printer driver. You can install it in advance.
8. Set a name for the printing device. Enter the name of the group to share.
9. Save changes.

These recommendations will help you fully understand how to make a network printer. Overall, this is not the most difficult process. After these steps, you can print documents within your homegroup from the same printing device!

Good mood to you all! Now we will talk with you about how to connect a network printer in Windows 7 and 10. After all, we have successfully opened shared access to it over a local network.

And now, naturally, we want to print on it with all our might while, for example, in the next room. Agree that this is a very convenient scheme if you don’t have your own printer.

So, friends, what do we have at the moment? Here's what. Ours has a printer that is connected to another computer using a USB cable. In this particular case, it will be a multifunctional device from Samsung:

Now we need to connect to it from a remote PC, which is generally located in a different room. So let's get to the point because this is going to be very interesting. All operations will be performed in Windows 10.

The first thing you need to do is go to the “Control Panel” and find the “Devices and Printers” tab there. How to do this was discussed in detail in a recent article (link at the beginning). If you haven’t read it, we recommend doing so now.

Then find the “Add a printer” item there and click on it:

The process of discovering new devices will begin. But in our case, nothing was found, so we select the option “The required printer is not in the list”:

In the next step, select the line “Add a local or network printer with parameters specified manually”:

Now in the “Use existing port” column you need to select the network path to the desired device. A clear example of this is shown in the picture below:

Afterwards, the process of installing the drivers for the selected printer will begin. If the required model is not in the proposed list, as in our case, then click on “Install from disk”:

And now you have to strain yourself a little. The whole point is that now you need to download drivers for a specific model on the device manufacturer’s website. After this, you should unpack them onto your computer’s hard drive:

At the next step, in the driver installation window, we indicate the path to the just downloaded files and see a list of the models we need:

Ultimately, after all the above walking and wandering through the operating system dialog boxes, you can return to the original “Devices and Printers” tab and, if desired, activate the “Use as default” option:

Now any job sent for printing will go directly to this printer. So let's check it this way. Select “Printer Properties”, and then on the “General” tab click “Test Print”:

After that, we gallop into the next room and look at the result. In general, friends, it’s so easy and simple, together with you we gave the answer to the question of how to connect a network printer in Windows 7 and 10.

If you suddenly have any questions or misunderstandings about the essence of this process, feel free to express them in the comments to the publication. And in conclusion, we invite you to take a very interesting test.