Microsoft KB Archive/305609

= HOW TO: Find a Printer in Active Directory and Set Up a Connection in Windows XP =

Article ID: 305609

Article Last Modified on 10/27/2002

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

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This article was previously published under Q305609



IN THIS TASK
SUMMARY
 * Find a Printer in Active Directory
 * Connect to a Printer
 * Configure Printer Features



SUMMARY
This step-by-step article will show you how to locate, connect to, and configure a network printer. You can use the Find Printers feature to search for printers in Active Directory when you are logged on to a Windows-based domain.

NOTE: If you are connected to a workgroup rather than a domain, the Find Printers feature is not available.

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Find a Printer in Active Directory

 * 1) Click Start, click Search, click Printers, Computers or People, and then click A printer on the Network. You can then use the three tabs in the Find Printers dialog box to enter different types of search criteria and fine-tune your search:
 * 2) * Use the Printers tab to enter information such as the name, location, and model of the printer.
 * 3) * Use the Features tab to select additional search options, such as whether the printer can print double-sided copies or print at a specific resolution.
 * 4) * Use the Advanced tab to further define special features by using the custom fields to specify criteria such as whether the printer supports collation or a specific printer language.
 * 5) After you run your search, you can sort or filter the printers that are listed in the search results pane by clicking the column headings.
 * 6) To view the column headings, click Details on the View menu. The filter option is not available when you view the search results as icons or as a list.

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Connect to a Printer

 * 1) Click the printer you want to which you want to connect, and then click Connect on the File menu (or, you can double-click the printer name).
 * 2) The printer is installed. If you are prompted, insert the Windows XP Setup CD-ROM in your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

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Configure Printer Features

 * 1) Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
 * 2) Click the printer that you want to configure, and then click Properties on the File menu.
 * 3) * On the General tab, you can set your printing preferences according to the features that are supported by your hardware, and print a test page to check the connection.
 * 4) * On the Device Settings tab, you can configure advanced properties that are supported by your printer.

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Keywords: kbhowto kbhowtomaster KB305609

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