How to Share a Printer on a Network?

The most popular Windows operating systems are Windows 7 and Windows 8. Both OS provides a very unique feature “HomeGroup” which enables user to make a small group of computers through which they can share documents, music and video files. HomeGroup have privileges to share hardware, internet connection and even enjoy playing multiuser games with your mates. In this article I will focus on how to share a printer on a computer network.

“Printer” is a very common device which occupies a special corner in the corporate offices of every organization. It is the one who is responsible for translating the data stored in the computer to the paper. This data includes text documents and images. With the advancement of technology we have printers which are capable of printing data even from mobiles, Video cam, Reader. Even we don’t have to bring the device near to the printer for taking prints of data. All this is possible due to wireless technology. In this article I will let you know about the ways by which you can share a printer in Windows 7 and Windows 8 computer connected in a network. Windows 7/8 provide a very useful feature “HomeGroup” which enable a user to make a small group of computer.      

You have two methods by which you can share a printer on a network:

·         Shared Printer.

·         Network Printer.

Shared Printer: In this method a printer is connected to one of the printer and member of the HomeGroup can access the printer through the Network folder. This method has one drawback that you always have to keep open the host computer. Procedure for connecting a printer to the HomeGroup:

1.      Click on the Start button and then click on Control Panel. In the control window type “HomeGroup” in search box and select it.

2.      Confirm that Printers check box is checked and then Save changes.

3.      Then go to your workstation and install the Printer driver through the shared Network folder present in your HomeGroup. Follow these steps:

·         Click on the Start button and select Control Panel.

·         In the Control Window type HomeGroup In search bar.

·         Confirm that you have permission to access Printer if not then get it from IT admin of HomeGroup.

·         Then select install Printer to install the driver required for the Printer.

4.      Now you can access the Printer through any application by clicking on Print option present in  the Menu bar.

Drawbacks of Shared Printer:

·         This method has one drawback that you always have to keep open the host computer for performing every task pertaining to use of external hardware like Printer, Scanner.

·         The HomeGroup feature is not available who are using Windows Server 2008 or previous version.

By following the above mentioned steps you can use printer through the HomeGroup feature. In the next article I will tell you about the importance of Network Printer and the procedure by which how to establish a network Printer

If you still have any problem while sharing a printer through your computer setup in the HomeGroup then you can use the free online technical support services provided by some of the well renowned companies. They provide 24*7 services for 365 days.