How to Use HomeGroup for Printer Sharing (Beginners)

Currently, the need for data sharing is undeniable. With a computer / laptop, we can easily share resources (resource sharing) to fellow users either through wired media or wireless media. The resource in question can be in the form of files or hardware, such as a printer.

For example, in your office space there is only 1 printer, and you want that 1 printer to be used by one office room, then you need to share first. Previously I have explained about sharing printers in the previous article, but maybe some people are not suitable / not successful in this way, that’s why I deliberately made a follow-up article.

Using HomeGroup for Printer Sharing

For sharing printers on Windows, we can use the HomeGroup feature which can be accessed by default by Windows 7 users and above. This is a Windows default feature, so you don’t need to install it.

This HomeGroup can be used to share data and printers with other users who are connected to the same network. Remember yes in the same network. So make sure your computer / laptop and other users are connected to the same network, for example connected to the same WiFi network. Immediately, here are the steps to use HomeGroup to share printers.

1. On laptop A, please open Control Panel. One way to open it can be with the button Windows + R then type control panel then Enter.

open control panel

2. Next select Choose homegroup and sharing options.

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3. Before creating a HomeGroup you must first change your network profile to Private. If your network profile is set to private then you will not find notifications like this. If not, select Change network location then select Yes to change the network profile to private.

create a homegroup for sharing printers

4. To make HomeGroup, just select Create a homegroup.

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5. Next select Next.

use homegroup to share printer

6. Determine what files or data you want to share. For this step let default, but make sure once again for the column Printers & Devices choose Shared. Next select Next.

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7. The homegroup password that you have created will appear. Every computer / laptop that wants to enter your homegroup must first enter the password. Next select Finish.

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8. On B laptop (who wants to join laptop A’s homegroup), also open the HomeGroup menu via Control Panel. The name of the homegroup that has been created by laptop A should appear but at this step sometimes errors are often made, the homegroup that has been created not showing/detected. To solve this, just click Start the HomeGroup troubleshooter.

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9. Next select Next. Wait troubleshooting process until it’s done, just a few minutes really.

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10. A homegroup will appear that has been created by computer A, please select Join now to join the homegroup.

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11. Select Next.

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13. Choose Next again.

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14. Enter the homegroup password created by laptop A. Then select Next to continue.

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15. Last select Finish. Now you are connected to laptop homegroup A. You can access the folders / files that have been shared by the laptop, including the printer you can also use.

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16. When you want to print a document, select the name of the printer that has been shared by laptop A. Verify the printer status ready yes not that Offline.

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That’s how to use HomeGroup to share printers. Not only used for sharing printers, you can also share your files and data with other users who have joined the HomeGroup that you have created. Well, hopefully this article is useful and make sure you share it with your friends, who knows they have the same problem as you.