How to Connect a Printer Directly to a Windows Computer

There are a few steps involved when installing a new printer. Before you begin, you must firstly identify whether your printer supports plug and play. Plug and play is, by definition, "a set of specifications developed by Intel that allows a computer to automatically detect and configure a device and install the appropriate device drivers."

Most new printers do support Plug and Play, while most older printer version do not. If you are not sure if the printer you are trying to install supports the Plug and Play feature, consider the following:

Is your printer is based on infrared technology? All printers that use infrared technology support Plug and Play.

Browse the printer owner's manual. Look through the list of features, as most printer manufacturers will advertise that the printer supports Plug and Play.
Identify the type of connector used to connect the printer to the computer The type of connectors that are found on printer that support Plug and Play, are USB connectors, and a few printer that have parallel connecters might also be able to support this feature.If the type of connector on the end of the printer's cable is a serial connector, you may automatically rule out the printer as not supporting Plug and Play.

Before you can begin to install your printer, you must have administrative privileges on your computer before you can continue.

To install a Plug and Play printer, use your printer manufacturer's instruction to find the appropriate port on the computer to plug in the printer. Now plug in the printers cord into the wall socket and turn on the printer.

Windows will automatically detect the printer, and in some cases automatically install the printer without any further steps, and the printer is now ready for use. However, if the Found New Hardware Wizard appears, continue the installation by clicking Next and following the rest of the onscreen instructions.

To connect a non-Plug and Play printer to a computer is a bit more manually sophisticated than Plug and Play supported printers.

Begin by plugging in the printer cord to the computer as par the printer manufacturer's instructions. Plug the cord into the wall outlet and turn on the printer.

Go to START -> select Settings ->go to the Control Panel

Double click Printers and Faxes

Under Printer Tasks click Add a printer to open the Add Printer Wizard, and proceed by clicking Next.

Click the Local Printer or Standalone Network Printer, uncheck the box that reads Automatically Detect and Install my Plug and Play Printer, and proceed by clicking Next.

On most systems, a parallel port in used to send information to the printer, however some computers use serial ports. Depending on your computer, select the LPTI: (Recommended Printer Port) if your computer uses a parallel port, otherwise select one of the serial ports, click Next, and proceed with the onscreen instructions.

Your printer is now ready to print. Make sure that the printer is turned on before attempting to perform test print.