Share a Printer: Vista/XP to Windows 7

Sharing a Printer Between Windows Versions

Recently, we explored printer sharing between Windows 7 computers. However, you might have a scenario where only one machine runs Windows 7, while the printer is connected to a computer running Vista or XP. This article details how to share a printer from either Vista or XP to a Windows 7 system. We’ve previously covered file and printer sharing between Windows 7 and XP. But what if your printer is connected to an XP or Vista computer located in another room, and you need to print to it from Windows 7? This guide provides a step-by-step process.

System Requirements

Please note that these instructions are based on using 32-bit versions of Windows 7, Vista, and XP on a standard home network. We utilized an HP PSC 1500 printer for testing, but remember that driver installation procedures will differ based on your specific printer model.

Sharing a Printer from Vista

To initiate printer sharing on a Vista machine, begin by clicking the Start button and typing "printers" into the search field. Press Enter to execute the search.

Right-click on the printer you wish to share and select "Sharing" from the context menu that appears.

Within the Printer Properties window, navigate to the "Sharing" tab. Ensure the box labeled "Share this printer" is checked. Then, assign a simple name to the printer, avoiding spaces, and click "Ok".

Sharing a Printer from XP

To share a printer from an XP computer, click the Start button and then select "Printers and Faxes".

In the Printers and Faxes window, right-click on the printer you intend to share and choose "Sharing".

In the Printer Properties window, select the "Sharing" tab. Activate the radio button next to "Share this printer" and provide a concise name for it, excluding any spaces. Finally, click "Ok".

Adding the Printer to Windows 7

Now that the printer is configured for sharing on either Vista or XP, it’s time to add it to your Windows 7 system. Open the Start Menu and click on "Devices and Printers".

Within the Devices and Printers window, click the "Add a printer" button.

Next, select the option "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer".

Windows 7 will automatically search for available printers on your network. Once the printer is located, click "Next".

The printer has now been successfully added; click "Next" to proceed.

You will then be prompted to set the printer as the default printer and send a test page to verify functionality. If successful, close the add printer screens, and you should be ready to print.

Alternative Method for Printer Discovery

If the automatic discovery method fails, an alternative approach can be used for both XP and Vista. If the initial search yields no results, click on "The printer that I want isn't listed".

In the Add Printer window, under "Find a printer by name or TCP/IP address", select the radio button next to "Select a shared printer by name". You can either manually type in the printer's network path or click "Browse" to locate it.

In this example, we chose to browse the network and observed five computers. To access the printer connected to the XP machine, we double-clicked on its name.

You will be prompted to enter the username and password for the XP computer.

The printer will then be displayed, allowing you to select it.

The path to the printer will be populated in the "Select a shared printer by name" field.

Allow Windows to connect to the printer and install the necessary drivers.

Upon successful addition, click "Next".

You can then designate the printer as the default and print a test page to confirm proper operation.

After completion, the shared printer will appear in the "Devices and Printers" section under "Printers and Faxes".

Conclusion

Sharing a printer between different operating systems can sometimes present challenges, but the methods outlined here proved effective in our testing environment. Because we used a relatively new printer, locating the necessary drivers wasn't an issue. Windows 7 includes a substantial library of device drivers, potentially simplifying the installation process. Your experience may vary depending on your printer model, Windows version, and network configuration. This guide should provide a solid foundation for configuring printer sharing on your network—hopefully with positive results. If you are using two Windows 7 computers, printer and file sharing is simplified through the Homegroup feature. You can also share a printer between Windows 7 machines on the same network without utilizing Homegroup.