Quickest way to add a network printer
 

Normally if you want to add a printer that is located in the network, you'll be going to start->printers->add printer. You'll use the wizard to search for a network printer, right?

This search will ask you where the printer is located. So instead of using the wizard, use the following technique:

Open My Computer or an explorer (windows+e).

Click the adress bar.

Type in \\ followed by the pc/server where the printer is shared at, example \\mypc.

You'll see all the items that are shared on this resource.

Double click the printer.

A message will popup asking if you want to connect to the printer and thus install it. Click yes.

A moment later you'll see the printer queue. Click file->set as default printer if you want to do that. Now you can close the printer queue window, and you're done. http://www.pchelpforum.com/images/smilies/smiley.gif

Also, if you used the wizard to find the printer and it couldn't find any, this technique will be really helpfull in troubleshooting, cus if this fails, you'll see exactly why and where. For instance, if you don't have permissions to access the shares of a network resource, you'll be told upon connecting. The same applies for when your network is not configured properly because then you'll get an error that windows cannot find the computer in the network.