Infrastructure & Devices • Networking

Share a Printer from Windows 11 to Other Computers on Your Network (03/30/26)

Use this guide to share one printer from a Windows 11 host PC and connect to it from other Windows computers on the same local network. It includes both the easy "browse and add" method and the manual hostname path, plus optional macOS steps.

1) Prep: what you need to know (host PC, printer, network type)

Host PC

  • The printer is installed and can print locally from one Windows 11 PC.
  • This PC must stay powered on while others print through it.
  • Sign in with an account that can change Settings and Printer properties.

Network type

  • All computers should be on the same local network (same home/office LAN).
  • Set the network profile to Private on the host and client PCs.
  • Public network profile usually blocks discovery/sharing.
Recommended path: connect from client PCs using \\HOSTNAME in File Explorer first. Use manual add only if auto-detect fails.

2) Turn on network discovery & file/print sharing

  1. On the host PC, open Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Advanced sharing settings.
  2. Under Private networks, turn on:
    • Network discovery
    • File and printer sharing
  3. If prompted by firewall/security software, allow local network access.
  4. Repeat the same discovery/sharing setting check on client Windows PCs if they cannot find the host.

3) Share the printer in Windows 11

  1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
  2. Select the printer you want to share.
  3. Open Printer properties (not just device preferences).
  4. Go to the Sharing tab.
  5. Check Share this printer.
  6. Set a simple share name (example: OfficeHP) and click Apply then OK.
Success check: the Sharing tab remains enabled and shows a share name.

4) Find the host name

  1. On the host PC, go to Settings → System → About.
  2. Copy the Device name (example: DESKTOP-AB12CD3).
  3. Your printer share path format will be: \\HOSTNAME\ShareName
    • Example: \\DESKTOP-AB12CD3\OfficeHP

5) Connect from another Windows PC (auto + manual)

Method A (auto / browse)

  1. On the client PC, open File Explorer.
  2. In the address bar, enter \\HOSTNAME and press Enter.
  3. When the shared printer appears, double-click it to install/connect.
  4. Print a test page.

Method B (manual add path)

  1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device.
  2. If it is not found, choose Add manually.
  3. Select Select a shared printer by name.
  4. Enter full path: \\HOSTNAME\ShareName.
  5. Finish setup, then print a test page.
If asked for credentials: use an account from the host PC, or ensure matching username/password exists on both PCs.

6) (Optional) Connect from macOS

  1. On Mac, open System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
  2. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
  3. Open the Windows tab, browse to the host workgroup/computer, then pick the shared printer.
  4. If browsing fails, use the IP tab and add by SMB/IPP path if available.
  5. Choose the correct printer driver (or AirPrint/Generic if appropriate), then test print.

7) Common gotchas

  • Host is asleep/offline: shared printers disappear when the host PC sleeps or shuts down.
  • Wrong network profile: if profile is Public, discovery is often blocked.
  • Firewall blocks sharing: allow File and Printer Sharing on private network.
  • Name resolution fails: try IP-based host access or use manual path add.
  • Driver mismatch: install/update manufacturer driver on host and client.
  • Different subnets/VLANs: discovery may fail without routing/firewall rules.

8) Security tips

  • Use Private network only for sharing; avoid enabling this on public Wi-Fi.
  • Share only required printers; remove old/unused shared queues.
  • Keep Windows and printer drivers updated.
  • Use account passwords (not blank passwords) on host/client systems.
  • If available, set who can print via printer Security tab permissions.
Better long-term option: for larger environments, use a dedicated network printer or print server instead of relying on one always-on host PC.

9) Quick checklist summary

  • ☐ Printer works locally on host Windows 11 PC
  • ☐ Network profile set to Private
  • ☐ Network discovery + File and printer sharing are on
  • ☐ Printer marked as Share this printer with known share name
  • ☐ Host device name recorded
  • ☐ Client connected using \\HOSTNAME or \\HOSTNAME\ShareName
  • ☐ Test page prints successfully

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