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How to share a printer on your home network

Share a USB printer from one Windows PC or Mac so other computers on the same home or office network can print to it.

15–20 min
Moderate
Updated

If your printer is connected by USB to one computer, you can share it so other computers on the same network can print through that computer. The sharing computer must be switched on and awake whenever anyone prints. If your printer has Wi-Fi or an Ethernet port, connecting it directly to the network is usually simpler and more reliable than sharing.

Steps

Windows 11 / 10

0 of 7 steps tried

  1. Set up the printer on the main PC

    Connect the printer to the computer that will share it, install it and print a test page. This PC becomes the host that other computers print through.

  2. Set the network to Private

    Open Settings > Network & internet, open the properties of your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, and set the network profile to Private. Only do this on your own home or office network, never on public Wi-Fi.

  3. Turn on printer sharing

    On Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings and, under Private networks, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing. On Windows 10, the same options are in Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.

  4. Share the printer

    In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer and open Printer properties (Windows 10: Manage > Printer properties). On the Sharing tab, tick Share this printer, give it a short name without spaces, such as OfficePrinter, and click OK. If the options are greyed out, click Change Sharing Options first.

  5. Note the host computer's name

    Go to Settings > System > About and note the Device name. You'll need it if the printer doesn't appear automatically on the other computers.

  6. Add the printer on the other PC

    On the second computer, open Printers & scanners and click Add device (Windows 10: Add a printer or scanner). If the shared printer doesn't appear, click Add manually (Windows 10: The printer that I want isn't listed), choose Select a shared printer by name and type \\DEVICENAME\OfficePrinter using your own names, then click Next.

  7. Install the driver if asked

    Windows may ask for an administrator's approval to install the printer driver; this is a normal security protection. Installing the driver from the manufacturer's official website on the second computer first usually makes this step smoother. Finish by printing a test page.

Tips

  • Use a short share name with no spaces or symbols. It is easier to type and avoids connection errors.
  • Both computers must be on the same network. Guest Wi-Fi networks usually block devices from seeing each other, so don't use one for sharing.
  • If sharing gives you constant trouble and the printer has Wi-Fi or Ethernet, connect it directly to the network instead so every computer can print without a host.

Common questions

Does the sharing computer need to stay on?

Yes. Jobs from other computers pass through it, so it must be on, awake and connected to the network whenever someone prints.

Can I share a printer between a Mac and a Windows PC?

It is possible, but it is often unreliable. Connecting the printer directly to your network by Wi-Fi or Ethernet is usually the better option for mixed computers.

Is printer sharing safe?

On your own private network, yes. Keep sharing limited to private networks and never set a public Wi-Fi network to Private.

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