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Windows XP Printer Sharing When you have multiple PCs but only one printer, you can make good use of printer sharing. One computer can be the only one that has access, yet all other computers in the network (computers that are connected to the router) can print. If you have a wireless router, both PCs and laptops with wireless cards can print "wirelessly" to the printer, too. Everything you need to do this is already incorporated into your Windows XP PC.

The first step in the process is as follows:

The printer can be shared.

On the printer-connected computer, you will need to log in. Go to Start --> Control Panel --> Printers and Faxes on that machine. In order to see this icon, you'll need to enable classic view.Listed here are all of the printer imaging devices that are currently connected to your computer. The default printer is shown by a black circle with a white checkmark when more than one printer is connected to the computer, such as an inkjet printer and a laser printer. Click properties from the context menu when you right-click on the printer you want to share. The "Sharing" tab will appear at the top of the new window, which you should click on. This printer can be shared by selecting the "Share this printer" radio button. The "Share name" box will display with a name that refers to your printer's  shared name once that button is pressed. Instead of BROTHER 7820, use your printer's brand name and model number,Click apply at the bottom of the window once your printer has been shared and given a shared name, according to  Printer Central  .

The second step is described below.

Make sure you're connected to the printer.

Your other computer can now print as soon as your printer has been shared with it. It's time to connect the printer to the computer to which it isn't currently attached. Installing the printer Go to Start --> Control Panel --> Printers and Faxes on the computer that is not linked to the printer. Add a printer can be found in the blue pan on the left, which has a box at the top that reads Printer Tasks. Add a printer by clicking on the Add Printer Wizard button at the bottom of the screen, and then click Next.