How to Share a Printer Between Windows Computers

Printer sharing in Windows makes it possible for multiple computers on the same network to use a single printer. This is especially useful in homes, offices, and small businesses where one USB printer is connected to a main PC but several Windows computers need access to it.

With printer sharing in Windows, one computer acts as the host while other PCs connect to the shared printer through the local network. The process is simple once Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing are enabled.

Follow the steps below to share a printer between Windows computers and fix common connection problems.

What Is Printer Sharing in Windows?

Printer sharing in Windows allows one Windows computer to make an installed printer available to other PCs on the same local network.

The main computer, often called the host PC, remains physically connected to the printer. Other computers send print jobs to that host PC over WiFi or Ethernet.

This setup is particularly useful when using a USB printer that does not have built-in network features.

Instead of unplugging and reconnecting the printer to different computers, users can access the same device through network printer sharing.

The main requirement is that the host PC must remain powered on, connected to the printer, and connected to the same network as the other computers.

What You Need Before Sharing a Printer

Before setting up printer sharing in Windows, check a few basic requirements.

Make sure:

• The printer is installed and working on the host computer

• Both computers are connected to the same network

• The network profile is set to Private

• Network Discovery is enabled

• File and Printer Sharing is enabled

• The host PC is turned on

• The printer driver is working correctly

It is also a good idea to print a test page from the host computer first.

If the printer does not work locally, fix that issue before trying to share it with another computer.

Step 1: Set Your Network to Private

Windows limits sharing features on Public networks for security reasons.

To use printer sharing in Windows, your trusted home or office network should normally be set to Private.

Open:

Settings > Network & Internet

Select your active WiFi or Ethernet connection.

Then open Network properties and choose:

Private network

A Private network allows Windows to discover other devices and use sharing features more easily.

Do not change an untrusted public WiFi network to Private just to enable sharing. Printer sharing should only be used on networks you trust.

Step 2: Turn On Network Discovery and Printer Sharing

Next, enable the Windows settings required for devices to see each other.

Go to:

Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings

Under Private networks, turn on:

• Network discovery

• File and printer sharing

Network Discovery allows other PCs to find your host computer.

File and Printer Sharing allows the host PC to share devices such as printers across the local network.

Without these settings, printer sharing in Windows may not work even if both computers are connected to the same router.

After enabling both options, restart the computers if the other PC still cannot find the shared printer.

Step 3: Share the Printer on the Host Computer

Now configure the printer itself for sharing.

Open:

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Select the printer you want to share.

Open Printer properties and go to the Sharing tab.

If necessary, click Change Sharing Options.

Then enable:

Share this printer

Windows will display a Share name for the printer.

You can keep the default name or create a short, simple name that is easy to remember.

For example:

OfficePrinter

or

HP_Laser

Write down the share name because you may need it when connecting from another computer.

Click Apply and then OK.

At this point, printer sharing in Windows should be active on the host computer.

Step 4: Find the Host Computer Name or IP Address

The second computer may need the name or IP address of the host PC.

To find the computer name, open:

Settings > System > About

Look for:

Device name

For example:

OFFICE-PC

You can also find the host PC's IP address.

Open:

Settings > Network & Internet

Select your WiFi or Ethernet connection and open its properties.

Look for:

IPv4 address

It may look something like:

192.168.1.25

Having both the computer name and IP address can make troubleshooting printer sharing Windows much easier if one connection method fails.

Step 5: Connect to the Shared Printer from Another Computer

Now move to the second Windows computer.

Open:

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Click:

Add device

Wait for Windows to search for available printers.

If the shared printer appears, select it and follow the setup instructions.

If it does not appear, choose the option to add a printer manually.

Select:

Select a shared printer by name

Then enter:

\\computer_name\printer_name

For example:

\\OFFICE-PC\OfficePrinter

If that does not work, try the host PC's IP address:

\\192.168.1.25\OfficePrinter

Windows may ask for credentials from the host computer before completing the connection.

Once connected, send a test page to confirm that printer sharing in Windows is working correctly.

How to Share a USB Printer Over the Network

A USB printer does not need built-in WiFi to be shared between multiple computers.

Connect the printer to the host PC with a USB cable and install it normally.

Then use the printer sharing Windows steps above to share the printer over your local network.

The other computers send their print jobs to the host PC, which then forwards them to the USB printer.

This method is useful for older printers that do not support wireless networking.

However, the host PC must remain powered on. If it is shut down or disconnected from the network, the shared USB printer will become unavailable to other computers.

What to Do If Printer Sharing Is Not Working

If printer sharing Windows is not working, check the following common causes.

Make Sure Both PCs Are on the Same Network

Confirm that both computers are connected to the same WiFi router or Ethernet network.

A guest WiFi network may block communication between devices.

Check the Network Profile

Make sure the trusted network is set to Private instead of Public.

Turn On Network Discovery

If Network Discovery is disabled, the second PC may not be able to find the host computer.

Confirm File and Printer Sharing

Reopen Advanced sharing settings and make sure File and Printer Sharing is turned on.

Check the Host Computer

The host PC must be powered on and connected to the printer.

Try the IP Address

If the computer name does not work, connect using:

\\IP-address\printer-name

Check the Printer Driver

A missing or incompatible printer driver can prevent the second PC from using the shared printer.

Download the latest driver from the printer manufacturer's official website if necessary.

Restart Both Computers

A simple restart can refresh network discovery and printer-sharing services.

Printer Sharing Security Tips

Printer sharing Windows should only be enabled on trusted home or office networks.

For better security:

• Avoid sharing printers on Public WiFi

• Keep Windows updated

• Use password-protected accounts

• Keep Windows Firewall enabled

• Use strong passwords on the host PC

• Remove access when sharing is no longer needed

Do not permanently disable the Windows Firewall simply because the shared printer is not working.

Instead, check the sharing settings and firewall permissions first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a printer between two Windows 11 computers?

Yes. Both computers should be connected to the same trusted network. Enable Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing, then share the printer from the host PC and connect from the second computer.

Can I share a USB printer over WiFi?

Yes. Connect the USB printer to one Windows computer and enable printer sharing Windows. Other PCs on the same network can then send print jobs through the host computer.

Why is my shared printer not showing?

The printer may not appear if Network Discovery is disabled, the network is set to Public, the host computer is offline, File and Printer Sharing is disabled, or the computers are connected to different networks.

How do I manually connect to a shared printer?

Enter the shared printer path using:

\\computer_name\printer_name

or:

\\ip_address\printer_name

This is useful when Windows cannot automatically detect the shared printer.

Does the host PC need to stay on?

Yes. When using Windows printer sharing, the host computer needs to remain powered on, connected to the network, and connected to the printer.

Final Thoughts

Windows printer sharing is a practical way to let several computers use one printer without moving cables or purchasing a separate printer for every PC.

Start by making sure the host computer and printer work correctly. Then set the network to Private, enable Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing, share the printer, and connect from the second computer using the host PC name or IP address.

If Windows printer sharing does not work immediately, check the network profile, sharing settings, host computer status, firewall, and printer driver.

Once configured correctly, printer sharing can make home and office printing much more convenient and efficient.