How to print to a laptop computer without a router?

Is it possible for me to access my printer by connecting my laptop to the PC thru the router?

• I need to print a document which is stored on my laptop but my printer is hooked up to my PC. I usually crawl under the desk to the back of the computer and unplug the printer's USB cable from the PC and plug it into my laptop, then print the document. But I'm too lazy for all that. Aren't you? So, is it possible for me to access the printer by connecting my laptop to the PC thru the router? Or do I need to hook the printer up to the router itself? Or what? How can I do this via my wireless network instead of having to crawl under the desk every time I want to print from the laptop. Thanks for your help!! Mike V. Taos

• Answer:

  If your PC is turned on you can share the printer so the laptop can connect to the printer through the PC. Or, if the printer supports it, you can connect the printer to the router. This would be known as connecting the printer to the network vs connecting the printer to a computer. This way any computer on the network can access the printer without the other PC being turned on. This is how we set up our printer. You should view the manual for your printer model if you are not sure. Edit-You do not have to share if you prefer not to unless you are not using the network connection with the printer. Network printer and sharing the pc connected printer are two different things. Sharing the printer requires the host computer to be turned on. Network printer requires the network to be available.