Share Printer Windows 7 - Not in Homegroup

Sharing a Printer Between Windows 7 Computers

There are instances where utilizing a printer connected to a separate Windows 7 computer becomes necessary, even when those machines aren't integrated within a Homegroup, yet reside on the same network. This guide details the process of enabling printer sharing between two Windows 7 computers on a typical home network.

For demonstration, we’ll connect a Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit system to an HP PSC 1500 printer hosted on a Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit machine. Both systems are connected to the same network, but are not members of a shared Homegroup. Remember that driver installation procedures will differ based on the specific printer model.

Share the Printer

Begin on the computer to which the printer is physically connected. Access Advanced Sharing Settings and verify that File and Printer Sharing is enabled.

Next, navigate to Devices and Printers via the Start menu. Right-click the printer you intend to share and select Printer Properties.

Within the Properties window, select the Sharing tab. Ensure the option to Share this printer is checked, and assign a name to it.

A concise name, avoiding spaces, is recommended, though you can choose any identifier you prefer.

Connect to the Shared Printer

Now, on the Windows 7 machine where you want to access the printer, click Start and select Devices and Printers.

In the Devices and Printers window, click the "Add a printer" option.

Select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer..." from the subsequent options.

Allow Windows a moment to locate available printers, then click Next.

Upon successful detection, the printer will be added; click Next to proceed.

You can then print a test page to confirm functionality, or simply click Finish.

To designate this printer as the default, return to Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, and choose "Set as default printer."

If the connection fails initially, confirm that the correct drivers are installed for the printer and attempt the process again.

Should issues persist, select "The printer that I want isn't listed..."

From there, you can either browse directly to the printer on the other machine or manually enter the network path if known.

Concluding Remarks

Older printers can sometimes present challenges during recognition, necessitating the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

If compatible drivers are unavailable for Windows 7, upgrading to a newer printer model might be a practical solution, as they are often quite affordable.

For scenarios where both machines are part of a Homegroup, refer to our article on Sharing Printers and Files in Windows 7 with Homegroup, which streamlines the sharing process considerably.