Are you going to be upgrading to Windows 7 x64, or have you recently purchased a new computer running a 64 bit version of Windows? Most computers sold a couple years ago shipped with 32 versions of Windows, but many newer computers ship with 64 bit versions to take advantage of additional memory and speed. If you are sharing a printer from a computer running one architecture of Windows with one running a different architecture, this tutorial is for you. It is not too difficult to do if you follow these steps, so read on and if you have questions just ask in the comments!
A little background first: we have an HP Deskjet F735 connected to a system running Vista Home Premium x86, and have the printer shared over our home network. When I installed the Windows 7 RC x64, I tried to install the printer but it said that Windows couldn’t find the drivers for my system. HP’s website doesn’t list drivers for Windows 7, but I figured that wouldn’t be a big deal since Vista drivers can work fine on Windows 7. After trying a couple of things, I finally got it to work with a bit of a workaround. Details follow. Note, these instructions worked for me to get a Windows 7 Professional x64 computer to print to an HP Deskjet F735 connected to a Vista Home Premium x86 computer. I would imagine these instructions would work for similar situations with different printers, but can’t guarantee it. I also assume that these are the same steps you would take if you were using a printer connected to an x86 vista from an x64 vista; I haven’t tested this, so I don’t know! I assume the printer is already setup on the Vista computer (the host computer). If you do get another printer to work this way, leave a comment and let us know!
Ok, first, download the Windows Vista x64 driver for your printer. The ones for the F735 are located at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=2100&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3457028. Choose the Basic Drivers.
Next, run the installer on the host computer (the Vista x86 one) just like you were going to install the driver on the computer. Then when it asks if you want to update or uninstall, click cancel.
Now, you need to find the folder that driver was extracted to. Open Run (Win+R), and type in “C:\Users\your user name\appdata\local\temp” without the quotes, and substitute your user name where I have the your user name in italics. Now find the folder that was created the most recently and doesn’t begin with a parenthesis. On my computer the folder name started with a “7z” and then a half dozen other characters. The folder should contain folders that say things like drivers, images, and a couple of other things, and it should also contain a lot of files that have the model name of your printer. Now click on the address bar, select the entire line, and copy it (Ctrl+A and then Ctrl+C).
Now we are going to open the control panel, click on printers, then right click on the name of the printer that you’re wanting to add the drivers for. Click Properties, sharing, then click “Change Sharing Options.” Now click the option at the bottom that says “Additional Drivers.” Select the x64 box, and then click OK. When it prompts you for the drivers, paste the name of the folder that you found in the last step (Ctrl+A and then Ctrl+V). Close the dialogs when they are finished.
Finally, go back to your 7 x64 desktop, and add the network printer like you usually do. Everything should work from there!
Happy printing!
Note: Edited for the final release version of Windows 7
Here is the way to seamlessly install a network printer on a Win 7 (or Vista) 64-bit machine when you do not have the drivers separately but you have to use the drivers built in the OS.
Problem: you try to add a network printer and you do not the inf file needed to complete the installation.
Example: you have a HP DeskJet 5550 Series printer installed on a Win XP SP3 machine and you want to add this printer from a Win 7 Pro 64-bit machine.
The approach below applies to any printer type that is present in the built-in list of Win 7/Vista drivers.
Solution:
Following the example suppose your network printer installed on a Win XP machine.
Open ‘Printers and Faxes’, right click the shared printer you want to connect to (i.e. the HP DeskJet 5550 Series printer) and choose the ‘Sharing’ tab.
Ensure it is shared and write down (copy) the sharing name of this printer: let’s suppose it is named ‘hpdj5550s’.
OPTION 1:
On the same sharing tab, click on ‘Additional Drivers’ button located below and check the additional drivers you might need. In our 64-bit case, check the x64 Windows XP checkbox. It will require to point a drivers location. If you have these drivers, browse to them and you are almost done. Next add the printer from your Vista/7 64-bit machine as you are adding a normal network printer.
DONE!
Else
OPTION 2:
On your WIn Vista/7 64-bit machine, go to ‘Devices and Printers’ and do the following:
Devices and Printers -> Add Printer -> Add a local printer -> Create a new port: -> Type of port: Local Port -> in the ‘Enter a port name:’ textbox type the exact path to the network based printer you want to connect to, e.g.
\81.161.242.24hpdj5550s
Note1: with double slashes in front!;
Note2: type in the exact name of the printer as shared on the host machine, that is ‘hpdj5550s’, not let say ‘hp deskjet 5550 series’ or something similar!
Your network printer is now added without changing anything on the host Win XP computer (the computer where the printer is physically installed).
DONE!
Thank You! This worked Great!!!
This works great for everyday printing….however…hopefully you don’t have a kodak all in one and need to scan something because the only place I can scan from is the host machine..the rest of the networked computers will not find the twain drivers for scanning with this setup
This is also great! Thank you for sharing this very useful tip!
Thanks it worked for me
i jst typed on the local poort as \\ IP \name of the printer
Here is the way to seamlessly install a network printer on a Win 7 (or Vista) 64-bit machine when you do not have the drivers separately but you have to use the drivers built in the OS.
Problem: you try to add a network printer and you do not the inf file needed to complete the installation.
Example: you have a HP DeskJet 5550 Series printer installed on a Win XP SP3 machine and you want to add this printer from a Win 7 Pro 64-bit machine.
The approach below applies to any printer type that is present in the built-in list of Win 7/Vista drivers.
Solution:
Following the example suppose your network printer installed on a Win XP machine.
Open ‘Printers and Faxes’, right click the shared printer you want to connect to (i.e. the HP DeskJet 5550 Series printer) and choose the ‘Sharing’ tab.
Ensure it is shared and write down (copy) the sharing name of this printer: let’s suppose it is named ‘hpdj5550s’.
OPTION 1:
On the same sharing tab, click on ‘Additional Drivers’ button located below and check the additional drivers you might need. In our 64-bit case, check the x64 Windows XP checkbox. It will require to point a drivers location. If you have these drivers, browse to them and you are almost done. Next add the printer from your Vista/7 64-bit machine as you are adding a normal network printer.
DONE!
Else
OPTION 2:
On your WIn Vista/7 64-bit machine, go to ‘Devices and Printers’ and do the following:
Devices and Printers -> Add Printer -> Add a local printer -> Create a new port: -> Type of port: Local Port -> in the ‘Enter a port name:’ textbox type the exact path to the network based printer you want to connect to, e.g.
\\81.161.242.24\hpdj5550s
Note1: with double slashes in front!;
Note2: type in the exact name of the printer as shared on the host machine, that is ‘hpdj5550s’, not let say ‘hp deskjet 5550 series’ or something similar!
Your network printer is now added without changing anything on the host Win XP computer (the computer where the printer is physically installed).
DONE!
I to followed the second suggestion and it worked fine. I first searched for the network on my XP Professional unit wrote down the exact wording and then went back and followed directions for local port.. Success.. Thanks for your help. RTR
I tried #2 but still not working. I am trying to set-up Samsung clp310n network printer to my network. I have 4 PC’s in my home network. 1 xp, 1 vista, setted-up fine but 2Pc’s with win7 I can not set up. During installation default IP 192.168.1.70 is used for the printer but win7 keep saying the IP address is used for monitor. Help, please?
Thanks for the comment … I had actually used your second method in a previous setup where a Vista computer was printing through a printer connected to a Windows 98 machine. Worked great then! I didn’t think to mention it, though, but this would be a very good way to get the printer to work if there is not a 64 bit driver available.
Thanks for the comment … I had actually used your second method in a previous setup where a Vista computer was printing through a printer connected to a Windows 98 machine. Worked great then! I didn’t think to mention it, though, but this would be a very good way to get the printer to work if there is not a 64 bit driver available.
thanks i am using your second method to add a printer that is physically installed on my win xp ,to my other pc running win 7.this is a great method.thanks again.joseph
@joseph Great … glad it’s helping you! It has helped me many times, too
thanks i am using your second method to add a printer that is physically installed on my win xp ,to my other pc running win 7.this is a great method.thanks again.joseph
@joseph Great … glad it’s helping you! It has helped me many times, too
I got further with your suggestion but I still cannot print. The host is a Windows 7 system and I want to print from an XP machine. I followed your 2nd suggestion for printing to a local port. MS Word shows the correct printer location and the printer name that I assigned, but nothing is sent to the printer. I get no error messages and the Help Troubleshooter wasn’t able to help. The Network Setup Wizard was able to find the printer on my network, so I know that the network pathname to the printer is correct.
Any ideas?
@John I’m not sure, sounds like you may have another problem. Is the Windows 7 system running the 32 or 64 bit version of Windows? To check, click the start button, then right-click on the Computer button on the right, and select Properties. The 4th entry under System on this page should say “System type:” and this tells whether you’re running the 32 or 64 bit version. If you have the 64 bit version, then you need to add the extra drivers to the Windows 7 computer as detailed above.
Otherwise, check out this article - It has step-by-step directions, and may help you figure out where you’re going wrong. If you can’t get it figured out, comment here again and we’ll see if we can help!
I got further with your suggestion but I still cannot print. The host is a Windows 7 system and I want to print from an XP machine. I followed your 2nd suggestion for printing to a local port. MS Word shows the correct printer location and the printer name that I assigned, but nothing is sent to the printer. I get no error messages and the Help Troubleshooter wasn’t able to help. The Network Setup Wizard was able to find the printer on my network, so I know that the network pathname to the printer is correct.
Any ideas?
@John I’m not sure, sounds like you may have another problem. Is the Windows 7 system running the 32 or 64 bit version of Windows? To check, click the start button, then right-click on the Computer button on the right, and select Properties. The 4th entry under System on this page should say “System type:” and this tells whether you’re running the 32 or 64 bit version. If you have the 64 bit version, then you need to add the extra drivers to the Windows 7 computer as detailed above.
Otherwise, check out this article - It has step-by-step directions, and may help you figure out where you’re going wrong. If you can’t get it figured out, comment here again and we’ll see if we can help!
This worked on one of my printers (thank you SO much!), but not the other. Unfortunately however bad I want this, my Konica Minolta Magicolor 2300W isn't listed and won't be found with the “windows update”. By virtue of my stupid move to 64 bit Windows 7 upgrade on my laptop – I lost my awesome color laser printer. Stupid Windows 7 64 bit…
Glad it was helpful for the first printer, but I'm sorry about the other one. Do you have Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate? Because if so, you could run XP mode and then add that printer through XP with the XP drivers. That could possiably help. Or, if you have 7 Home Premium and you have an extra copy of XP laying around, then you could install XP in Virtual PC and use it the same.
Otherwise, I'd contact Konica's support … maybe if enough people started asking for x64 drivers, they'll add them. 64 bit is the future, but everyone's not there yet. I think your 64 bit investment wil pay out over time, though!
This worked on one of my printers (thank you SO much!), but not the other. Unfortunately however bad I want this, my Konica Minolta Magicolor 2300W isn't listed and won't be found with the “windows update”. By virtue of my stupid move to 64 bit Windows 7 upgrade on my laptop – I lost my awesome color laser printer. Stupid Windows 7 64 bit…
Glad it was helpful for the first printer, but I'm sorry about the other one. Do you have Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate? Because if so, you could run XP mode and then add that printer through XP with the XP drivers. That could possiably help. Or, if you have 7 Home Premium and you have an extra copy of XP laying around, then you could install XP in Virtual PC and use it the same.
Otherwise, I'd contact Konica's support … maybe if enough people started asking for x64 drivers, they'll add them. 64 bit is the future, but everyone's not there yet. I think your 64 bit investment wil pay out over time, though!
By George – I think you may have solved my problem! I'm not at home now, but I think I can put the installation disk in, and choose compatibility from the properties and install it that way! Konica Minolta has no intention of adding drivers for old printers (they told me on the phone) – honestly I can't say as I blame them though. THANK YOU!!!!!!
By George – I think you may have solved my problem! I'm not at home now, but I think I can put the installation disk in, and choose compatibility from the properties and install it that way! Konica Minolta has no intention of adding drivers for old printers (they told me on the phone) – honestly I can't say as I blame them though. THANK YOU!!!!!!
I have tried to set up two different network printers on windows 7 , one being an HP 4050 and the other being a QMS magicolor 2 , while Windows 7 will recognize and installs the printers neither one of them will print a test page, the HP 4050 uses a jetdirect 600n card to interface, and windows recognizes the printer insofar as the utility telling me that the ink in the printer will need to be changed soon. however still nothing will print.
I have tried to set up two different network printers on windows 7 , one being an HP 4050 and the other being a QMS magicolor 2 , while Windows 7 will recognize and installs the printers neither one of them will print a test page, the HP 4050 uses a jetdirect 600n card to interface, and windows recognizes the printer insofar as the utility telling me that the ink in the printer will need to be changed soon. however still nothing will print.
Installed Windows 7, now wifi connection for my home network is either real slow or disconnects every 5-10 seconds.
It is the best site, continue to keep the good work!
It is the best site, continue to keep the good work!
I to followed the second suggestion and it worked fine. I first searched for the network on my XP Professional unit wrote down the exact wording and then went back and followed directions for local port.. Success.. Thanks for your help. RTR
I tried #2 but still not working. I am trying to set-up Samsung clp310n network printer to my network. I have 4 PC’s in my home network. 1 xp, 1 vista, setted-up fine but 2Pc’s with win7 I can not set up. During installation default IP 192.168.1.70 is used for the printer but win7 keep saying the IP address is used for monitor. Help, please?
I’m pretty much impressed with the stability of Windows 7. It is better than windows Vista which hogs my memory and cpu..,~
I’m pretty much impressed with the stability of Windows 7. It is better than windows Vista which hogs my memory and cpu..,~
Thank you so much, this fixed the issue I had!
Thank you so much, this fixed the issue I had!
Love your blog!. I really enjoy reading all of the posts. Keep up the good work!
Love your blog!. I really enjoy reading all of the posts. Keep up the good work!
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate to found this article.
If you know how to install a printer on Windows XP, it ain't that hard to adapt from one to another. It's just a matter of learning to go the other way around, that's all. But people who don't like computers might just have to call a “geek” to solve their “abnormal” problems.
THANK YOU! This actually worked for me and I used Option 2. For those less than tech types like me, the path is the IP address of your host computer and the exact printer name can be found in Printer information. I have the installation disk for my Canon which had the drivers needed. If you are networking/sharing to Window 7 64bit OS, be sure to choose the right drives on your disk.
I really love it. The option 2 work for me.
I have shared HP LaserJet 1200 installed on XP, with Windows-7 64-Bit.
Amazing. Thank you so much and please keep this valuable blog up.
God bless you Matthew. You are great.
Another thank you!! Took me a while to find a method that worked. Your #2 is definitely a winner! Thx again.
Glad it helped! It’s one of those tricky things that can be so frustrating, isn’t it? I sure hope Microsoft does a better job with printer sharing in Windows 8…
Thanks dude, it worked perfectly
Oh thank you so much!!!! Finally I was able to get the printer to work on the windows 7 pc. These directions were easy to understand and follow. Worked perfectly. What a relief! Thank you.