To install a printer in Windows you first need to determine what type of printer it is. It will most likely be one of three types, a parallel, USB or a network printer.
A parallel printer will be an older printer that uses a parallel port and cable like shown.
Newer printers use USB ports and cables.
There are a few ways to install a printer in Windows. The most common way is to go to Start, Setting then Printers and click on Add Printer.
When the Add Printer Wizard starts, click on Next. You will then see the following screen.
If it's a printer such as a parallel or USB printer plugged directly into your computer then you would choose Local printer attached to this computer . If you leave the Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer box checked, Windows will search its driver database to see if it already has the drivers needed for your printer.
If you are installing a printer that is connected to another computer or print server then you would choose the network printer option.
Next you will be asked what port you want to use. Most local printers will use LPT1.
Then you can either pick your printer from the list of available models or if it's not listed you can click on Have Disk to install your driver from your manufacturer supplied disk.
If you have an active internet connection you can also try the Windows Update option depending on your version of Windows. This will connect to the Windows Update site to try and find the right driver for you.
Once Windows finds the drivers it needs it should install the printer and you will be ready to print!
If you need to install a printer connected to another computer or print server over the network you would then choose the A network printer, or a printer connected to another computer option. Click Next and you will be presented with a similar screen as shown below.
The first option will only be there if your computer is part of an Active Directory Domain which can list installed network printers making it easy to install them on workstations.
The second option allows you to browse to the computer or print server that is hosting the printer or you can manually type in the UNC (Universal Naming Convention) path.
The third option allows you to connect to a printer over the internet such as your office printer if you want to print from home to the office.
***Many times all you need to do to install your printer is insert your disk that came with your printer and follow the prompts perform the installation.***
Related Tips:
How a Laser Printer Works
Deleting Jammed Print Jobs
Making Your Printer Into a Print Server
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