Windows 10: Having trouble with Windows Networking. Some things like printer sharing don't work

I recently had a home network consisting of a Windows 7 Desktop and a Windows 11 Laptop. I had file and printer sharing working in both directions i.e. I could access files on the laptop from the desktop and vice versa. Recently, my Windows 7 desktop died so I had to buy a new Desktop which had Windows 11. Currently, here is what's working.I can see the other computers in the Network portion of File Explorer. In other words, on the Desktop I see the Laptop and from the Laptop I can see the Desktop.I can access the files on the Desktop from the laptop by expanding the folder structure in Fil

:)

 

Can't share printer—getting error message

Yeah, I have windows firewall disabled, and I don't use any other firewall... mostly to prevent stupid issues like this.

None taken... and yeah, I do.

 

printer won't work on network but will over usb

his printer has a built-in print server.

What you need to know what ip is being give to the printer. Perhaps you can print a status sheet from the printer.

Then Go to printers in control panel

add a new printer

local printer attached, uncheck automatically detect and install PnP printer

create a new port, select standard tcp/ip port

a new window should open and enter the ip there where it says printer name or IP address (port name then should be also be filled as you go)

and pretty much follow the rest of the steps, you will need to install the printer drivers.


These steps is the easy, but not the right way.

The right way is to use the network option on the initial screw and search for the printer server...but that can be tricky to configure.

 

Can't share printer—getting error message

Step 1: Go to store.
Step 2: Buy a less shitty printer.
Step 3: Pick up some beer while you are there.
Step 4: Enjoy both your new printer and your beer.

In all seriousness, I have had more issues with Lexmark printers and their shitty drivers then any other manufacturer, HP is a close second though.

However, if you don't want to get a new printer*Laugh :laugh:, and I can understand that, when my Lexmark was giving me the same troubles in Win7(and Vista) I had to make sure the Windows firewall was ON and the firewall service was enabled and running. After I shared it I could re-disable the firewall and firewall services.