How to Make a Print Server in Windows 10

Turning a Windows 10 computer into a simple print server involves connecting a printer to it and then sharing that printer over your network. This allows other devices on the network to send print jobs to this printer via the Windows 10 machine.

To achieve this, you first need to ensure the printer is properly installed on the Windows 10 computer you intend to use as the print server, and then configure the printer for sharing.

Adding Your Printer to Windows 10

Before sharing, the printer must be installed on the Windows 10 machine. While Windows often detects printers automatically, you may sometimes need to add it manually. The provided reference outlines steps for manually adding a printer.

Here's how you can add a printer manually to your Windows 10 computer, incorporating steps from the reference:

1. Press the Windows key.
2. Click Settings (the gear icon).
3. Navigate to Devices > Bluetooth & printers & mouse.
4. Click Add a printer or scanner. Windows will scan for devices.
5. If your printer isn't found automatically, click The printer that I want isn't listed.
6. Select the Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings check box, and click Next.
7. Select Create a new port or choose an existing port if applicable (e.g., if it's a USB printer connected and already has a port listed). If creating a new port, you'll typically choose a port type like "Standard TCP/IP Port" for network printers or "Local Port" for other specific configurations.
8. Follow the on-screen prompts to specify port details (like an IP address for a TCP/IP port) and install the printer driver.

After completing these steps, your printer should be listed under "Printers & scanners" in Windows Settings.

Sharing the Printer on Your Network

Once the printer is installed on the Windows 10 machine, you can share it so other computers can connect.

1. Go back to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & printers & mouse.
2. Click the printer you want to share.
3. Click Manage.
4. Click Printer properties.
5. In the Printer Properties window, go to the Sharing tab.
6. Check the box that says Share this printer.
7. Give the printer a Share name. This is the name other computers will see when browsing for shared printers (e.g., OfficePrinter).
8. (Optional but recommended) Click Change Sharing Options if needed (usually not required for basic sharing).
9. (Optional) Click Additional Drivers to upload drivers for different operating systems (like 32-bit Windows) if you expect clients with different architectures.
10. Click Apply, then OK.

Your Windows 10 computer is now configured to share the printer, effectively acting as a basic print server. The printer will be accessible to other devices on the same local network.

Connecting from Other Devices

Other computers on the network can now connect to this shared printer. Typically, they can find it by:

1. Going to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & printers & mouse.
2. Clicking Add a printer or scanner.
3. Waiting for Windows to discover the shared printer (it might appear as \\ComputerName\ShareName).
4. Clicking on the discovered shared printer and clicking Add device.

Alternatively, they can manually add it by selecting "The printer that I want isn't listed" and choosing "Select a shared printer by name", then entering the path like \\ComputerName\ShareName (replace ComputerName with the name of the Windows 10 PC hosting the printer and ShareName with the share name you assigned).

Important Considerations:

• The Windows 10 computer acting as the print server must be on and connected to the network for other devices to print.
• Firewall settings on the Windows 10 machine must allow file and printer sharing.
• For consistent access, consider giving the Windows 10 computer a static IP address or ensuring your router assigns it the same IP address via DHCP reservation.

By following these steps, you can leverage your Windows 10 PC to serve as a central point for accessing a connected printer for other devices on your network.