How To: Set Up a Normal Printer for Wireless Printing in Windows

Want to be able to print wirelessly without having to buy a pricey network printer? Now you can! All you need to do is follow these simple, quick, steps.

What you need:

• At least two computers running Windows
• Normal non-network printer
• A network

Once you have all of these things, you're ready to begin.

Step 1 Setting up the Printer

First, you need to connect your printer to the "host" computer using a USB cable. Install the printer driver if necessary.

This computer must always be plugged in to the printer through the USB.

Step 2 Enable Printer Sharing on the "host" Computer

On the host computer, go to:

1. Control Panel
2. Network & Internet
3. Network & Sharing Center

Once there, turn on "Printer Sharing" and turn off "Password Protected Sharing".

Now make sure that the printer has the "Share this Printer" option checked.

Go to:

1. Control Panel.
2. Hardware & Sound.
3. Printers.
4. Right-click the printer and select properties.
5. Click the sharing tab.
6. Make sure "Share this Printer" is checked.
7. If not, click it. You might be prompted to provide an Administrator password if you're not logged in as one.

Step 3 Connecting to the Printer Wirelessly

Make sure your printer is turned on, and go on to the computer you wish to print wirelessly from. 

On your other computer, go to:

1. Control Panel.
2. Hardware & Sound.
3. Printers.
4. Click "Add Printer".
5. Click "Add a Network, wireless, or bluetooth printer".
6. Select the printer on the "host" computer.

In this example, my laptop is the "host" computer.

Step 4 Using the Now Wireless Printer

Now you're all set. Make that printer your default and start printing! It doesn't matter how far away you are from the printer as long as you are on the same network as the host computer.

Tips

• Both the host computer and the printer must be turned on for this to work.
• In some cases, you might have to install the printer driver on the other computer as well.
• You can connect as many computers as you want to the host computer for wireless printing.

Warnings

• Anyone on the same network as the host computer will be able to print wirelessly to that printer.
• I used Windows Vista, but I'm positive it works with Windows XP and Windows 7 as well.