How to Install a Printer for Your Computer
To use a printer, your computer has to have software installed — a printerdriver — and use certain settings to tell your computer how to
find the printer and what to print.
To install a printer:
1
Read the instructions
that came with the printer.
Some printers require that you install software before connecting
them, but you can connect other printers immediately.
2
Turn on your computer
and then follow one of these option, as it fits your needs:
If your printer is a Plug and Play device, connect it and power
it on; Windows installs what it needs automatically.
Insert the disk that came with the device and follow the
on-screen instructions.
Choose Start→Devices and Printers.
If you have a wireless printer, choose Start→Devices and
Printers and
click the Add a Printer link in the window that appears. Choose
the Add a Network, Wireless, or Bluetooth Printer option and follow the
instructions.
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3
If you choose the third
option in Step 2, in the Devices and Printers window that appears, click the
Add a Printer link near the top.
The Add Printer dialog box appears.
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4
In the Add Printer
dialog box, click the Add a Local Printer option and click Next.
The Choose a Printer Port dialog box appears.
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5
Click the down arrow on
the Use an Existing Port field and select a port, or just use the recommended port setting that
Windows selects for you. Click Next.
The Install the Printer Driver dialog box appears.
6
Choose a manufacturer
and then choose a printer.
You then have two options:
If you have the manufacturer’s disc, insert it in the
appropriate CD drive now and click the Have Disk button. Click Next.
If you don’t have the manufacturer’s disc, click the Windows
Update button to see a list of printer drivers that you can download from the
Microsoft Web site. Click Next.
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7
In the resulting Type a
Printer Name dialog box, enter a printer name. Click Next.
You see yet another dialog box.
8
Click Finish to complete
the Add Printer Wizard.
If your computer is on a network and you choose the fourth
option in Step 2, you get additional dialog boxes in the wizard, including one
right after you name the printer, which allows you to share the printer on your
network.