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How to print to a Windows printer from a MAC

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Summary

When working in a PC and MAC mixed invironment, there is an increasing need to print from a Windows connected Printer from a MAC. This article gives the basic steps of setting up the PC, sharing the printer on the network and then connecting to the printer from the MAC.

To print from your Windows PC to your MAC you need the following:
  • Windows PC computer name
  • A Printer connected to the Windows PC, and shared on the network
  • Network printer share name as displayed on your windows PC (spaces or no spaces)
  • A user name and password set up on the windows PC (if your MAC successfully connects to the network printer, you will prompted for a registered user name and password to connect)

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More Information

To set up the PC, share the printer on the network and then connect to the printer from the MAC, follow the steps below for the PC and the MAC.

On the Windows 7 PC

First, Enable the LDP Print Service using the following steps:
  1. Click Start, and click Control panel
  2. Click Programs and then click Programs and Features
  3. Click Turn Windows Features on or off
  4. Click to expand Print and Document Services
  5. Check the box for LDP Print Services
  6. Click OK and close the Programs and Features window
Next, share the Windows printer on the network using the following steps:
  1. Click Start, type Devices and Printers in the Search text box
  2. Click Devices and Printers from the list above
  3. Right-click on the printer to be shared and click Printer properties
  4. Click the Sharing tab and click Change Sharing Options
  5. Check the box to Share this printer
  6. Set the name for the share

    (Note: use a share name with no spaces, Example: Windows_HP_Printer)
  7. Click OK and then close the Properties and Devices and Printers windows

On the Mac

The last step, connect the printer to the MAC using the following steps:

  1. Go to Start Applications then Utilities and then Printer Setup Utility
  2. Hold down the Option key and click the More Printers button
  3. From the top menu select Advanced

    Note: If you don't get an Advanced button (Snow Leopard 10.5) right click (or equivalent) on the printer’s toolbar and click Customize, and then drag and drop the Advance tab on the toolbar.
  4. From the Device: field select LPD/LPR Host or Printer
  5. In the Device URL: type lpd://PCName/PrinterShareName
  6. Click the Add button

    Test printing to the Windows printer from the MAC

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Keywords: kb, consumertargetwinfy12, consumerwin7track

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Article Info
Article ID : 2665700
Revision : 1
Created on : 1/7/2017
Published on : 1/16/2012
Exists online : False
Views : 203