This post shows students and new users the steps to share a printer in Windows 11. In Windows 11, you can add a new printer and share it with other people on the same network, either at home or in the office.

There are two methods that can be used to share a printer. If you have a network printer that is connected to your network through a router or switch, all PCs should be able to connect directly to the printer and add it individually.

However, if the printer is not a network printer, but is directly connected or installed on a PC at home, then you can share it on the PC it is connected to with other PCs at home or office. For others to print to the printer connected to a PC, make sure the printer is connected to the main PC either wirelessly or via a USB cable, and then turn on the printer.

Also make sure the main PC is turned on, connected to the printer, and connected to the network.

Once all the requirements are checked above, follow the steps below to share the printer so that others can print to it.

To start sharing the printer in Windows 11, follow the steps below.

How to share a printer in Windows 11

Again, a PC-connected printer can be shared with other users on a home network or in an office. You will need to know the name of the main PC (the PC that the printer is connected to).

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To share a printer, it should already be installed and connected to the main PC. If you haven’t installed the printer, use the post below to learn how to add a printer in Windows 11.

How to add a printer in Windows 11

Once your printer is installed and ready, follow the steps below to share it with others.

Windows 11 has a centralized location for most of its settings. From system settings to creating new users and updating Windows, everything can be done from your System settings crystal.

To access the System Settings, you can use the Windows key + i shortcut or click Start ==> Settings as shown in the following picture:

windows 11 settings button

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and find Settings. Then select to open it.

The Windows settings panel should look similar to the image below. In Windows settings, click Bluetooth and devices, then select Printers and scanners on the right panel of the screen shown in the image below.

Windows 11 adds new scanners

Then click the tile for the printer you want to share. If you have multiple printers installed on your PC, they should all appear in this panel.

Windows 11 shares a printer with others

Once the printer details panel opens, select Printer properties mosaic as highlighted below.

Windows 11 shares the printer properties panel

In the pop-up windows, below the Share tab, click on Change share option as highlighted below.

windows 11 change sharing options 1

Finally, check the box next to: Share this printer to share the printer. In the Share name box, type a share name that other PCs will see when they connect to the printer. The name can be descriptive to identify the particular printer.

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Windows 11 shares these printer settings

If desired, edit the printer’s share name. You will use this name to connect to the printer from a secondary PC.

The printer must be shared and ready for other PCs to connect and add.

How to connect to a shared printer in Windows 11

Now that the printer is shared up, if you want to print from another PC on the same network, follow the steps below.

Read this post below to learn how to add a printer in Windows 11

How to add a printer in Windows 11

When adding a shared printer on another PC,

  1. If you don’t see the printer you want, select The printer I want is not on the list
  2. In the Add Printer dialog box, select Select a shared printer by nameand then enter the host computer or device name and the printer share name using one of these formats:
    • computer name printer name
    • http: //computername/printername/.printer
  3. When you are prompted to install the printer driver, select next to complete the installation.
Windows 11 share printer by name

By default, you need the username and password of the host PC to access the printer.

Once everything is connected and added, you should be able to print to the printer from secondary PCs on your network.

You should do that!

Conclusion:

In this tutorial we have seen how to share a printer in Windows 11 and how to connect to a shared printer. If you find any errors above or have something to add, use the comment form below.

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