Windows 7 Networking : Connecting a Printer or Other Device, Your HomeGroup

It’s easy to connect a printer either directly to your computer or to the network to which your computer is connected, and to specify how it is to be shared:

1.	Connect the printer to your computer or to the network adapter you’ll be using. Directions for this are usually on a small pamphlet that comes with your printer.
2.	Make sure the appropriate driver for your printer is installed on your computer. (A driver is a piece of software that interprets the data coming from a computer to the printer. Each type of printer needs its own driver.) Install the printer driver by choosing the manufacturer and model of the printer you’ll be using. If you don’t see it, click the Windows Update button. If you already have the CD containing the printer driver for this printer, insert the disc in the CD or DVD drive and click the Have Disk button. You’ll be walked through the steps necessary to install the printer driver. When you’re done, click Next. If you choose to have Windows find and install the driver, Windows 7 will do so and ask you for the name of the printer and whether you want to share this printer with other computers in your HomeGroup. When that process is finished, you’ll also be asked to print a test page to make sure the printer is working properly. When you click the Finish button, Windows returns you to the Devices and Printers page.
3.	You’ll see a screen similar to that shown in Figure 1, with icons for the various computers and other devices Windows 7 has detected are connected or available to either your computer or the network to which your computer is connected. Those devices already connected also have a green check mark. Figure 1. Connect printers and other devices to your computer or your network.
4.	If you double-click one of the icons with the green check mark, you’ll get a description of the device and its network connection, and you’ll be able to see what documents are in queue, whether the device is ready, and other information. If you double-click one of the icons without the green check mark, you’ll be able to configure it and connect it to your computer or network. Note You don’t have to add USB printer (one that connects directly to your computer via the USB port) because Windows 7 scans for and automatically detects such a printer at startup.
5.	If you’re adding a local printer, you’ll be asked which port to use. Most printers use the printer ports in the order shown (LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3). If you’re adding another printer to a computer that already has a printer attached, use LPT2 or LPT3. Then click Next.

Uninstalling a Printer

To uninstall a printer (actually, you’ll just uninstall the printer driver; you can unplug the printer anytime), click the question mark in the upper-right corner of the page to bring up the Help menu, and type Uninstall. Follow the directions that appear, including clicking the appropriate links in the Help material.

Adding a Device Not Shown

If you want to add a device that isn’t shown, such as a downloader for pictures taken on your digital camera or cell phone, first connect the device, and then click Add a Device.

Windows searches for connected devices it hasn’t yet noted and displays icons corresponding to them. Click the device and follow the instructions for installing any device drivers.

2. Your HomeGroup

If you are setting up a home network, Windows 7 can make the whole process easier via a new facility called HomeGroup. A HomeGroup is a kind of Windows 7 networking interface which makes it easy to share printers, storage, and media in a home environment.

To set up your HomeGroup

1.	Select HomeGroup from the Control Panel.
2.	Next, click the Create a HomeGroup button.
3.	On the next screen, select what kinds of information you want to share with others at home. See Figure 2. Figure 2. You can specify which types of files you want to share with others.
4.	When done, click the Next button.
5.	Windows 7 displays a password screen that will let you share access to other computers. Since this is a temporary password, write it down, including capitalization. You can change it later.
6.	Click the Finish button. You have now added your computer to the network called HomeGroup. Note Note that you can share libraries of files and folders and pictures, music, and videos with other devices (such as wide-screen TV sets in the living room, cell phones, or your children’s computers). And note that this sharing is not secure, meaning that anyone connected to your HomeGroup has access to these files.
7.	If you want to set up streaming media to other devices, this is the place to do it. Check the Stream My Pictures, Music, and Videos to All Devices on my Home Network box and click the Save Changes button. Otherwise, return to the Create a HomeGroup screen by clicking the left arrow in the upper-left corner of the screen.
8.	Next, it’s important to change the password to one you’ll remember. Scroll down to the lower half of the screen and click Change the Password. You’ll need to confirm that you want to change the password.
9.	The system will ask you for the new password, but will display a suggested password. If you want to use the suggestion, simply click the Next button. Otherwise, enter your own password (minimum eight characters), one you’ll remember, and then click the Next button.

Changing Your Homegroup Password

At this point, anyone with the right password will be able to access your HomeGroup and share in the use of devices, files, pictures, music, and videos. So the most important thing for you to do is to change the password, unless you feel that the automatically assigned password is one you and your family will easily remember.

To change the password, on the HomeGroup screen click Change the Password. Enter a password you’ll remember in the spaces provided and click Save Changes. Now you can discard the automatically assigned password.