Installing and Sharing a USB Printer Across the Network

A USB printer connected to one computer can be shared so other computers on the network can print to it. This avoids needing to physically connect each computer to the printer. On the host computer (the one physically connected to the printer): go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > click the printer > Printer properties > Sharing tab > check 'Share this printer' and give it a share name (e.g., 'HP-Office'). The host computer must be on for others to print. On client computers: Settings > Printers & scanners > Add device > The printer I want isn't listed > Select a shared printer by name > enter \\HostComputerName\HP-Office. Windows will install the driver from the host. Alternatively, double-click Network in File Explorer, find the host computer, and double-click the shared printer to install. Limitation: if the host computer is off or asleep, other users cannot print. For a more reliable solution, connect the printer to the network directly (if it has a network port) or use a print server device or Windows print server.