Connect to a Printer on a Network

To connect to a printer on a network

1. Open Printers and Faxes.
2. Under Printer Tasks, click Add a printer to open the Add Printer Wizard, and then click Next.
3. Click A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer, and then click Next.
4. Connect to the desired printer using one of the following three methods. Click a method for instructions.

   Search for it in Active Directory.

   This method is available if you are logged on to a Windows domain running Active Directory.

   1. Click Find a printer in the directory, and then click Next.
   2. Click the Browse button to the right of Location, click the printer location, and then click OK.
   3. Click Find Now.
   4. Click the printer you want to connect to, and then click OK.

   Type the printer name or browse for it.

   1. Click Connect to this printer.
   2. Do one of the following:
      • Type the printer name using the following format:

        \\printserver_name\share_name

      • Browse for it on the network. Click Next, click the printer in Shared printers.
   3. Click Next.

   Connect to an Internet or intranet printer.

   Using a printer’s URL allows you to connect to a printer across the Internet, provided you have permission to use that printer. If you cannot connect to the printer using the general URL format below, please see your printer's documentation or contact your network administrator.

   1. Click Connect to a printer on the Internet or on your intranet.
   2. Type the URL to the printer using the following format:

      http://printserver_name/Printers/share_name/.printer

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish connecting to the network printer.

Notes

• To open Printers and Faxes, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Printers and Faxes.
• You can also connect to a printer by dragging the printer from the Printers folder on the print server and dropping it into your Printers folder, or by right-clicking the icon and then clicking Connect.
• Another way to add a printer is to double-click Add Printer. This option is available only if folders are set to the Windows XP classic folder look, and if a printer is not currently selected.
• After you have connected to a shared printer on the network, you can use it as if it were attached to your computer.