Add shared printers to the network

Applies To: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

Step 1: Physically plug your printer into a computer or a network hub

In order to share a printer in the Windows SBS 2011 Standard network, first connect the printer cable either to a computer that is connected to the network or to a network hub. Then turn the printer on.

  • If you connect your printer to a computer through a USB connection, Windows automatically detects the printer and adds it to the list of available printers.

  • If you connect your printer to a computer through a printer port, Windows adds the printer to the list of available printers.

  • If you connect your printer to a network hub, follow the installation instructions from the manufacturer of the printer.

Note

You need to manually install the printer drivers, if they are not installed automatically when you physically connect the printer to a computer.

Next, if the printer is connected to a computer and turned on, go to Step 2a. If the printer is connected to a network hub, go to Step 2b.

Step 2a: Share a printer that is connected to a computer

After you physically connect the printer to a computer on the network, you can share the printer so that other users can access it. To share the printer, use one of the following procedures, depending on the operating system that is running on the computer (Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 or Windows SBS 2011 Standard).

To share a printer that is connected to a computer running Windows 7

  1. From the computer that is running Windows 7, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Devices and Printers.

  2. Right-click the printer that you want to share, and then click Printer Properties.

  3. On the Sharing tab, click Share this printer, and then click List in the directory. Ensure that Render print jobs on client computers is also selected.

  4. On the General tab, in Location, type the physical location of the printer (for example, first floor copy room).

  5. Click Apply.

  6. Click Print Test Page to verify that the printer is connected correctly.

  7. On the Windows SBS Console, on the navigation bar, click Network, and then click Devices. Verify that the printer is in the Printers list.

Note

If the printer is not in the list, in the task pane, click Refresh this view. If it still does not appear, in the task pane click List a shared printer in this console, type the network path to the printer, and then click OK.

To share a printer that is connected to a computer running Windows Vista

  1. From the computer that is running Windows Vista, click Start, click Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound, and then click Printers.

  2. In the details pane, right-click the printer that you want to share, and then click Sharing.

  3. On the Printer Properties page, do the following:

    • On the Sharing tab, click Change sharing options.

    • On the User Account Control message, click Continue.

    • Click Share this printer, and then click List in the directory. Ensure that Render print jobs on client computers is also selected.

    • On the General tab, in Location, type the physical location of the printer (for example, first floor copy room).

  4. Click Apply.

  5. Click Print Test Page to verify that the printer is connected correctly.

  6. On the Windows SBS Console, on the navigation bar, click Network, and then click Devices. Verify that the printer is in the Printers list.

Note

If the printer is not in the list, in the task pane, click Refresh this view. If it still does not appear, in the task pane click List a shared printer in this console, type the network path to the printer, and then click OK.

To share a printer that is connected to a computer running Windows XP

  1. On the computer that is running Windows XP, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Faxes.

  2. In the task pane, click Add a printer. The Add a Printer Wizard starts. Follow the instructions to complete the wizard. Then, the printer is included in the list of available printers.

  3. In the details pane, right-click the printer that you want to share, and then click Sharing.

  4. In the Printer Properties page, do the following:

    • On the Sharing tab, click Share this printer, and then click List in the directory. Ensure that Render print jobs on client computers is selected.

    • On the General tab, in Location, type the physical location of the printer (for example, first floor copy room).

  5. Click Apply.

  6. On the server, open the Windows SBS Console.

Note

You must be a network administrator to complete this procedure.

  1. On the navigation bar, click Network, and then click Devices. Verify that the printer is in the Printers list.

Note

If the printer is not in the list, in the task pane, click Refresh this view. If it still does not appear, in the task pane click List a shared printer in this console, type the network path to the printer, and then click OK.

To share a printer that is connected to the computer running Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

  1. From the computer running Windows SBS 2011 Standard, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Devices and Printers.

  2. Right-click the printer that you want to share, and then click Printer Properties.

  3. On the Sharing tab, click Change Sharing Options.

  4. Click Share this printer, and then click List in the directory. Ensure that Render print jobs on client computers is also selected.

  5. On the General tab, in Location, type the physical location of the printer (for example, first floor copy room).

  6. Click Apply.

  7. From the server, open the Windows SBS Console.

Note

You must be a network administrator to complete this procedure.

  1. On the navigation bar, click Network, and then click Devices. Verify that the printer is in the Printers list.

Note

If the printer is not in the list, in the task pane, click Refresh this view. If it still does not appear, in the task pane click List a shared printer in this console, type the network path to the printer, and then click OK.

Step 2b: Share a printer that is connected to a network hub

After you physically connect the printer to a network hub, you can share the printer so that other users can access it.

To share a printer that is connected to a network hub

  1. From the server, open the Windows SBS Console.

Note

You must be a network administrator to complete this procedure.

  1. On the navigation bar, click Network, and then click Devices. Verify that the printer is in the Printers list.

Note

If the printer is not in the list, in the task pane, click Refresh this view. If it still does not appear, in the task pane click List a shared printer in this console, type the network path to the printer, and then click OK.