In Windows 11, you can share a printer for other computers or devices on the same computer network.
Sharing a printer via a Windows 11 computer on a network makes it possible to allow other computers to print via the shared printer.
Printer sharing is useful if the printer you want to add does not have a network or wireless network function. If the printer only has a USB or DB-25 cable, you can still share the printer over the local network.
This article shows you how to share a printer using Windows 11 on a network. You can also read how to add a shared printer in Windows 11.
How can I share a printer in Windows 11?
To start, you need to change the network settings in Windows 11 to the “Private” network.
Right-click on the Start button. Then click Settings in the menu. In the Settings, click on Network and Internet and then on the active connection “Ethernet” or Wi-Fi”.
Change the “Network Profile Type” to “Private”.
Your device can be found on the network. Select this option if you want to share files or use apps that communicate over this network. You must know and trust the people and devices on the network.
Then click on “Bluetooth and devices” in the left menu and then on “Printers and scanners”.
Click on the printer you want to share. Then click on “Printer properties” in the printer settings.
In the properties for the printer, click on the “Sharing” tab. Then click the “Change sharing options” button.
To share the printer over the network, enable the “Share this printer” option. If necessary, you can change the “Share name” to a clearly recognizable name on the network for the printer.
If you share this printer, only users with a username and password for this computer can print to this printer. The printer is unavailable when the computer is in sleep mode.
Click Apply and then OK. You have now successfully shared the printer over the network via a Windows 11 PC.
How can I add a partial printer in Windows 11?
To add a shared printer (“network printer”) in Windows 11, follow the steps below.
Right-click on the Start button. Click on Settings in the menu. In the left menu, click on “Bluetooth and devices” and then on “Printers and scanners”.
In the printers and scanners settings, click the blue “Add device” button to add a network printer. Wait until it says “Add Manually” and click on it.
Select the option “Select a shared printer by name”. Click Browse to locate the printer or enter the IP address and shared printer name.
Click next.
Give the added network printer a clear name and click “next” to finish.
I hope this information has helped you share a printer over the network via a Windows 11 computer. Thank you for reading!
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