Adding, Removing & Sharing Printers

Printers can be added, removed, and shared in an operating system through system settings. Below is a guide for Windows, macOS, and Linux on how to manage printers.

1. Adding a Printer

📌 Windows (10, 11)

Using USB Connection:

• Connect the printer via USB.
• Open Settings (Win + I) → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
• Click Add a printer or scanner → Select your printer → Click Add Device.

Using Wi-Fi or Network Connection:

• Ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Open Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
• Click Add a printer or scanner → Wait for the printer to appear → Click Add Device.
• If the printer is not detected, click The printer I want isn’t listed → Follow the wizard.

📌 Linux (Ubuntu & Other Distributions)

• Open Settings → Printers.
• Click Add Printer.
• If using USB, the printer should be detected automatically.
• For a network printer, enter the IP address.
• Click Apply.

🔹 For CLI Users: Use lpadmin -p printer_name -E -v usb://printer_address in the Terminal.

2. Removing a Printer

📌 Windows

• Open Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
• Click on the printer → Remove device.

📌 Linux

• Open Settings → Printers.
• Select the printer → Click Remove.

🔹 For CLI Users: Use lpadmin -x printer_name in Terminal.

3. Sharing a Printer

📌 Windows (Over a Network)

• Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
• Right-click your printer → Click Printer Properties.
• Go to the Sharing tab → Check Share this printer.
• Click Apply → OK.

🔹 Access a Shared Printer from Another PC:

• Open Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add a printer.
• Click The printer that I want isn’t listed → Select Find a printer in the network.
• Choose the shared printer and click Next.

📌 Linux

• Open Settings → Printers.
• Select the printer → Click Server Settings.
• Enable "Share this printer".

🔹 For CLI Users: Use cupsctl --share-printers to enable sharing.