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Step-by-step guide for connecting to a shared printer
Printer sharing using HomeGroup
How to Add a Shared Printer to a HomeGroupNow

What is HomeGroup? The HomeGroup feature allows both beginners and experienced system administrators to easily create networks of Windows-based computers connected via a local area network. These networks can operate without domain controllers (DC) and provide the ability to share resources such as printers and files. This option is primarily aimed at the mass consumer, but it can also be used by employees of small enterprises who do not have the support of IT specialists.

Step-by-step guide for connecting to a shared printer

The HomeGroup setup program is designed to enable users to share files and devices. Using the "Share with" option in Windows Explorer provides a more flexible configuration. You can designate specific folders to have read, read and write access, or to be restricted from sharing altogether.

The default setting is to assign read-only access to library items shared by home group members. Keep in mind that enabling read and write permissions also gives the user full control including the ability to delete files.

How to Add a Shared Printer to a HomeGroupNow

Now let’s see how to share printer with HomeGroup on Windows 7 with other users.

Before you start, make sure that the printer is attached to one of your local computers and is configured properly.

The first step is creating a homegroup, launch the HomeGroup control panel app, Start -> type "homegroup" -> Enter.

Your next steps will depend on what will be shown in the HomeGroup window.

Scenario 1. The computer where the printer is connected physically is already added to a HomeGroup but the printer isn’t shared yet:

Click the "Change what you’re sharing with the HomeGroup" link.
Select "Shared" on the "Printers & Devices" drop-down menu.
Hit Next. Now, you can close the HomeGroup options.

Scenario 2. There’s a HomeGroup on your local network but the computer with the printer attached to it is not a member of this group:

So, first, you’ll need to join that group. To do this, click "Join now," and then "Next".
After that, make sure that the option "Shared" is enabled for "Printers & Devices," click "Next".
Enter the password for the HomeGroup you’d like to join, click “Next".
Click "Finish".

Scenario 3. You need to create a new HomeGroup:

Click "Create a HomeGroup", then click "Next".
Select the "Shared" option for "Printers & Devices," click "Next".
The final screen shows the password you’ll need for other PCs on your network to connect to the HomeGroup. Write it down and then click "Finish".

Once, you've set up your new HomeGroup and shared your printer over LAN, other users can access the device remotely.

We have a Windows domain with about 3000 endpoints, all running Windows 10 version 1909. One week ago users started to report that they cannot print to any device shared from any print server. They also cannot install any new printers from any print server regardless of the printer manufacturer or model. If a tech logs into the computer under a different profile, they also cannot install any printers from any print server. However, if we assign the affected end user to a new computer they can install printers just fine. The problem does not follow the user. Oddly this doesn't seem to affect everyone at the same time. We are getting 2-10 callers per day.

Most users are working just fine with no issues. They can install and use printers from both print servers. We have two, one running Server 2016 and another running Server 2019. The issue seems to be isolated to these workstations. The issue appeared exactly 7 days ago, but no updates, security patches or new software were installed immediately prior to the start of the problem. I have reviewed change logs and no changes were made to the network or domain either.

So far the only solution we have found is to reinstall the operating system. There are no log files for these events on either the client or the print server. We tried removing the computer form the domain and rejoining and removing all printers and drivers. Wireshark doesn't show any issues with communication to the print server. We can clearly see the client send an OpenPrinterEx request, it gets the expected response from the server, and then the client inexplicably sends a ClosePrinter Request. The client and the server repeat this several times before it fails.

The errors we receive pop-up almost instantaneously. When browsing to the print server by using the UNC path \PrintServer, then right-click-> Connect on the desired printer we get the error: Windows couldn't connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again. If this is a network printer, make sure the printer is turned on, and that the printer address is correct.

When attempting to install by opening Printers and scanners and selecting "Add a printer or scanner", we get the error: We can't install this printer right now. Try again later or contact your network administrator for help. The Error