Sharing a local printer across multiple operating systems can enhance productivity and convenience within a home or office network. Whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or Linux, this article will guide you through the process of sharing a printer, enabling seamless printing from various devices.
Sharing a Local Printer on Windows 11
1. Connect and Install the Printer:
- Ensure the printer is connected and properly installed on the windows computer hosting the printer.
- Share the printer by clicking on it, selecting “Printer Properties,” and navigate to “Sharing” tab.
- Check the box “Share this printer”, “Render print jobs on client computers” then click “Apply” and “OK”.
2. Configuring Printer Sharing Permissions:
- Click on the “Security” tab within the printer’s properties.
- Add “Everyone” to the list and grant necessary permissions such as print or manage the printer. You can also specify individual users who can access the printer.
- Click “Apply” then “OK”.
3. Accessing the Shared Printer:
- On other Windows 11 computers, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth and Devices > Printers and Scanners.
- Click Add device, select the shared printer and follow the prompts to install the drivers.
- Otherwise, if you can’t find the shared printer click “Add manually”.
- Click “Select a shared printer by name”, click “Browse”, select the name of computer where the printer was installed then input the computer’s username and password if prompted. Select the printer and click next to install it. Printer’s driver will be installed on your computer.
- If there is an error message prompted, you may need to change the registry printer setting.
Sharing a Local Printer on Mac
1. Connect and Install the Printer:
- Connect the printer to the Mac and ensure its properly set up.
- Open “System Preferences” and navigate to “Printers & Scanners.”
- Click the “+” button to add the printer.
2. Sharing the Printer:
- In “System Preferences,” click on “Sharing.”
- Check the box next to “Printer Sharing.”
- Click the printer you want to share from the list.
3. Accessing the Shared Printer:
- On other Mac computers, go to “System Preferences”> “Printers & Scanners.”
- Click the “+” button to add a printer and select the shared printer from the list.
Sharing a Local Printer on Linux
1. Connect and Install the Printer:
- Set up the printer on the Linux computer using the appropriate driver and software.
- Ensure the printer is working locally before proceeding.
2. Install Samba (if using CUPS):
- If you’re using the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS), install Samba to enable printer sharing with Windows systems:
sudo apt-get install samba3. Share the Printer:
- Open the CUPS web interface by entering “http://localhost:631” in a web browser.
- Go to the “Administration” tab then select “Share printers connected to this system.”
4. Accessing the Shared Printer:
- On other Linux computers, install the necessary printing packages (e.g., CUPS) and configure them to detect network printers.
- Use the system’s printer management tools to add the shared printer.
Conclusion
Sharing a local printer across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems is crucial for efficient printing within a multi-platform environment. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enable seamless printer sharing, enhancing collaboration and productivity among devices running different operating systems.
