Sharing Printer on Windows XP Operating System

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Most of us have now shifted to new version or we can say new era of operating system. We also have seen many people using newly developed operating system such as Windows Vista 32 bit, Windows Vista 64 bit, Windows 7 32 bit and Windows 7 64 bit. But still many people have windows Xp as there operating system. Truely Windows has really worked hard with this operating system because of which it still has many users supporting and using this as an operating system.

Ok coming back with the concerned topic, I beleive that most of us use printers with this operating system. We do know how to configure and set printer working on this operating system; but do you know how to make your printer sharing on this operating system. Well this guide will provide you a thorough tour on Sharing Printer on Windows XP Operating System. Just follow the procedure and you will be done with it.

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It's very common that if you have more than one computer, you will not require more than one printer. You just have to connect your computers and your printer to a home network, and you are able to use the printer from any computer on your network which will make you feel that it is directly connected to that particular computer on which you are working on. Ensure that you leave the computer and the printer to be attached turned on.

• Follow the Procedure to Access Administrator Account:

Make sure that you have log on as an administrator on your computer. For required details, View the access administrator account option from the Welcome screen.

For all Windows XP system, a special user account Administrator is available.

In order to log onto the Administrator account so that you can install software or change computer settings:

If you are already logged on with some account on your computer, click Start, and then click on Log Off. When it comes, click on Switch User.

• IMPORTANT:

Check if your computer is joined to an Active Directory, the option such as Fast Users Switching feature will be disabled. This is a normal differnce made to computers which are used for business applications. Actually, it automatically joins an Active Directory domain. But, this setting are not the default setting. Approximately computers for home environments do have Fast User Switching option enabled.

1. Click on Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.

• IMPORTANT:

It depends on computer settings or your Microsoft Windows XP operating system version, you have to access the Printers and Faxes option from the Control Panel.

2 .You can see Welcome screen, just press CTRL+ALT+DEL from your keyboard by holding both the CTRL and ALT keys and then press DELETE key.

3. The Log On screen for Windows dialog box will appear. In the available User name box, you can type Administrator. Below is the Password box, type your Administrator password, if you have created one during Windows XP setup. If you have not alloted a password, or you don't know or forget your password, then leave the Password box blank and just Click OK.

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• Share your Printer on Windows XP Operating System:

1.You have to initially Log on your computer as an administrator.

2.Click on Start, and then click on Printers and Faxes.

• IMPORTANT:

It depends on your computer settings or version you are using of Microsoft Windows XP, you have to access the Printers and Faxes option through the Control Panel.

3. Inside Printers and Faxes window, just right click on your printer, and then click on Sharing option.

4. Inside the My Printer Properties dialog box, just click on Share this printer option.

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5. Then Click on OK.

• Now Your printer is on shared option, and you are able to connect to it from your other computer available, as described in the below section.

• Connecting Wizard for a shared printer:

1. Click on Start, and then click on Printers and Faxes.

• IMPORTANT:

It depends on your computer settings or your version of Microsoft Windows XP operating system, that you may access the Printers and Faxes option from the Control Panel.

2. In the Printers and Faxes window option, just click on File, and then click on Add Printer wizard.

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3. You will have a window saying Welcome to the Add Printer Wizard page, then click Next.

4. You will see Local or Network Printer page, just click on A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer, and then click on Next.

5. A window will appear in order to specify a Printer page, just click on Browse for a printer, and then click on Next.

6. You will see Browse for Printer page, below Microsoft Windows Network, expand the groups and you will see by clicking the plus sign beside the group name and then try selecting your printer and then Click on Next.

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7. You will see Connect to Printer dialog box, click on Yes.

8. Check for the Completing of the Add Printer Wizard page, then click on Finish.

Now You will be ready to print on the network printer, as you should to a printer which is attached directly on your computer.

Repeat the similar steps for each computer available on your home network in order to connect them to shared printer.

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Share this guide with your friends and colleagues and help them to understand the easiest way of setting a printer on home network. Do provide your suggestions regarding this guide and let me know your views for creating better guide. Please post your views