Windows 7’s Device Stage makes the process of installing a local printer incredibly easy. (Most of the time.) Windows 7 does most of the work for you, from recognizing the printer to installing any necessary drivers. In fact, unlike previous versions of Windows, it’s usually better to not install the software that came with your printer.
Setup Network Printer Windows 7
Mar 28, 2013 Follow these steps to install the printer and check if you can install it successfully: a. Click Start- Click Control Panel. Underneath the Hardware and Sound category, click on Devices and Printer. Click on Add a printer from the menu. Click on Add a Local Printer. Installing a Network Printer with Windows 7. Step 1: Click on the START icon and choose “Devices and Printers” from the menu to pull up the following window. Click on the “Add a Printer” link at the top of this window. This is a simple and brief how-to install a network printer on a computer attached to the network using Windows 7. There are a couple different ways you can do this and it's very easy to do! This how-to is written under the presumption that you already have the actual printer and the printer drivers installed on your print server.
A local printer is just another way of saying a printer that is plugged directly into your PC. It’s the simplest way to install a printer, and it’s the only option if you don’t have a network.
When you plug the connector into your PC’s USB port and turn on the printer, Windows 7 is supposed to notice a new device and let you know that it’s installing drivers. When it finishes, you’re done. That simple. You didn’t have to do a thing except plug it in and turn it on.
Network Printer Not Installing Windows 7
If the printer installs correctly, you should not install the manufacturer’s software, no matter what the instructions in the box with the printer may say. Besides, most printers come with a CD loaded with . . . junk. Note that this is different from the process for previous versions of Windows.
When the printer is installed properly, it will appear in the Device Stage’s Device and Printers window. Choose Start→Devices and Printers to take a look.
Once in a blue moon, usually because a printer is too new or too old, this streamlined process doesn’t work. Windows might not recognize the printer or might have trouble locating a driver. If that happens, you can use the CD that came with your printer or, better, go to the manufacturer’s Web site (some of the most common are: Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson, HP, Lexmark, Samsung) and download the latest driver.
Install Printer Windows 7
If you have to use an old-fashioned parallel or serial cable (as opposed to a USB or FireWire cable) to connect your printer, you’ll have to manually install the printer. Make sure that you have the manufacturer’s installation instructions handy, and follow its advice religiously.