Accessing printer that is not physically attached to computer?

movilogo

I have printer which is not WiFi enabled. It is currently attached to a Windows 10 Pro desktop computer.

I have a laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium. Both computers are connected to same home WiFi network.

Can I remotely print from my laptop? If yes, how? 

lindabea

Since your printer is not wifi enabled, than I would have thought that your network will not be able to see it, so neither computer will be able to access it via the home network.  The reason you can print from your desktop is that the printer is connected to it via a cable  - not the network.  So the answer to your question is no - you can't use the printer via your network.  But that's my educated guess - someone may come along and teach us both something new!!.

[Deleted User]

Yes, this can be done via printer sharing, the computer that the printer is connected to will essential act as a print server and allow other devices on the network to see and use the printer.

The following articles take you through the steps to share the printer:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/share-your-network-printer-c9a152b5-59f3-b6f3-c99f-f39e5bf664c3

or

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-share-files-and-printers-without-homegroup-windows-10

Jenni_D

I'll state the obvious (which may already be in one of the articles noted above) ... the PC connected to the printer (acting as the print server) needs to be On for any other device to be able to access the printer.

debitcardmayhem

Your router may support USB printers , of course the printer will need to be within range of the router using a USB cable.

movilogo

It worked!

I shared the printer in Windows 10 computer.

Connected Windows 7 computer in same network. Remotely logged in (by double clicking on computer in laptop's Windows Explorer) to the desktop using an account which is set up as a user in desktop computer. 

The network printer shown up listed in the available printers dialog box in laptop computer. Successfully printed a page.