Use these instructions when you need to connect a printer directly to your computer. This method should not be used for installing a network printer that other computers will need to access.
Following the manufacturer’s directions, connect the appropriate printer cable(s) to your printer and your computer. Power both devices on and Windows Vista will automatically install the printer. If Windows Vista can’t install the printer, or if you removed the printer and need to install it again, follow these steps:
- Open Printers by clicking the Start button, then click Control Panel, then click Hardware and Sound and click Printers.
- Click Add a Printer
- In the Add Printer Wizard, select Add a local printer
- In the Choose a Printer Port page, make sure that the Use an Existing Port option and the recommended printer port are selected. Then click Next.
- In the Install the printer driver page, select the printer manufacturer and the printer name and then click Next.
Note: If your brand and model of printer are not listed, and you have the manufacturer’s installation disk that came with the printer, click Have Disk in this screen and the browse to the location on the disk with the printer drivers are stored. For help in locating drivers on the installation disk, refer to the manual that came with the printer or contact the manufacturer.
If your brand and model of printer are not listed and you do not have the printer installation disk, click Windows Update in this screen and Windows Vista searches for available drivers. Your computer must be connected to the Internet for this option to function. When Vista has finished searching, a new list of manufacturers and printers will be displayed. You may now select the appropriate items in each list for your printer. - Complete the additional steps as prompted by the Add Printer Wizard and then click Finish.