Frequently Asked Question

Step 1: Set Up the Printer on the Host PC

1. Make sure the printer works locally on the Host PC.
2. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Select the printer > Click Manage > Click Printer properties.
4. Go to the Sharing tab.
5. Check “Share this printer”.
6. Give it a simple share name like OfficePrinter.
7. Click Apply and OK.

Step 2: Enable File & Printer Sharing on Host PC

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change advanced sharing settings.
3. Turn on network discovery.
4. Turn on file and printer sharing.
5. Click Save changes.

Step 3: Find the Host PC’s IP or Hostname

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Type ipconfig and note the IPv4 Address (e.g., 192.168.1.50).
3. Or type hostname to get the computer name.

Step 4: Add the Printer on Other PCs

Option A: Using IP/Hostname

1. Press Windows + R, type \\192.168.1.50 or \\HOSTNAME
2. Right-click the shared printer > Connect

Option B: Add via Settings

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners
2. Click Add a printer or scanner
3. Click ‘The printer that I want isn’t listed’
4. Choose ‘Select a shared printer by name’
5. Enter \\192.168.1.50\OfficePrinter
6. Click Next and finish setup.

Optional - Make It Available All the Time

• Set a static IP for the Host PC to avoid IP changes.
• Alternatively, use hostname mappings if possible.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Ensure all PCs are on the same network.
• Set network to Private on all machines.
• Temporarily disable firewall to test access.
• If prompted for login, enable password-protected sharing and use valid user credentials.

If it keeps asking for login credentials when connecting to the shared printer:

Add the host PC’s credentials manually in Credential Manager:

1. Go to Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials
2. Click Add a Windows credential
3. In Network address, enter \\HOSTNAME or \\192.168.1.50
4. Enter the username and password of a valid user on the Host PC
5. Click OK

This saves the credentials so you won’t be prompted every time. Windows will use it silently in the background.