Windows 7 How do I network win xp pro w/ printer to win 7 w/ router

Steps to Enable Printer Sharing Between Windows 7 and Windows XP:​

1. Network Setup:
   • Ensure that both computers are on the same workgroup. You can check and change the workgroup settings by right-clicking on "Computer" or "This PC" and selecting "Properties." Go to "Computer Name" tab to view or change the workgroup name.
   []Sharing the Printer on Windows 7:
   • Go to the "Devices and Printers" section in the Control Panel on the Windows 7 computer.
   • Right-click on the printer you want to share, and select "Printer properties."
   • In the properties window, go to the "Sharing" tab and check the box next to "Share this printer."
   • Assign a share name to the printer that you'll remember, and click "OK" to save the changes.
   []Add the Printer on Windows XP:
   • On the Windows XP computer, go to the Control Panel, then to Printers and Faxes.
   • Click "Add a printer" on the left.
   • Select "A network printer" and then click "Next."
   • Choose the option to "Connect to this printer" and type in the path to the shared printer on the Windows 7 computer (e.g., \ComputerName\PrinterShareName).
   • Follow the steps to install the shared printer on the Windows XP computer.
   []Firewall Settings:
   • Make sure that the firewall on both the Windows 7 and Windows XP computers allows File and Printer Sharing. Adjust the firewall settings if needed.
   []Permissions and User Account:
   • Ensure that you have set up the necessary permissions on both computers to allow printer sharing. You mentioned adding a guest account on the XP computer, so make sure the permissions are correctly set.
2. Testing:
   • Once the printer is added on the Windows XP computer, test whether you can successfully print to the shared printer from the XP machine.

     Additional Notes:​

     • If you encounter any issues with sharing or accessing the printer, double-check the network settings, permissions, and firewall configurations on both computers.
     • Rebooting both computers after making changes can sometimes help in refreshing the network connections.
     • Ensure that both computers have the necessary printer drivers installed to avoid any driver-related issues.
     By following these steps, you should be able to share and access the printers connected to the Windows 7 computer from the Windows XP machine. Let me know if you encounter any specific issues during this process!