Printing on a Network with good driver installed on Windows 10 from a Windows 7 computer

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Printing on a Network with good driver installed on Windows 10 from a Windows 7 computer

James829 0

I cannot get the driver for my new HP printer on Windows 7 computer. I have the printer working with the driver on a windows 10 computer connected to the network on my WiFi in the house. Is there way to use my Windows 7 computer to print on the network printer?

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Answer 1

Anonymous

Hi James829,

I understand you're trying to print from a Windows 7 PC to a newer HP printer that already works on a Windows 10 PC connected to your home network.

A few questions to help narrow this down:

What is the exact HP printer model?
Is the Windows 7 edition 32-bit or 64-bit?
When you try to add the shared printer from Windows 7, do you receive any error message?

In the meantime, if the printer is installed and working correctly on the Windows 10 PC, you can try:

On the Windows 10 PC, open "Control Panel" > "Devices and Printers".
Right-click the HP printer and select "Printer properties".
Open the "Sharing" tab and enable "Share this printer".
On the Windows 7 PC, open "Devices and Printers" > "Add a printer" > "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer" and look for the shared printer.

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James829 0 Reputation points

2026-07-20T02:59:15.5966667+00:00

HP Deskjet 2955 purchased at Best Buy

64 Bit operating system, Intel Core

Will not let me add the printer to Windows 7 computer because HP will not supply the driver for Windows 7.

I have tried your solution a few times over the past 72 hours, at the end it wants me to download a driver, but none is available from HP.

Now to print I have to either use a flash drive to transfer what i want need printer, or email it to myself, then go one the windows 10 computer and print. I have the 2 computers together here and a switch box, but the switch box only works for the monitor, when i use it for the keyboard and mouse it beeps every minute, annoying. So I have to manually unplug the keyboard and mouse from one and put it in the other. I am afraid I am going to wear out the insert on the windows 7 computer doing that everyday.

I wish my old printer did not break. I was set up perfectly able to print at will from either computer.
Anonymous

2026-07-20T06:17:50.1466667+00:00
Hi James829,

Based on the information you provided, the issue does not appear to be with the network connection itself. Rather, Windows 7 requires a compatible printer driver before it can use the shared printer, and HP does not provide a Windows 7 driver for the HP DeskJet 2955. Because of that, Windows 7 cannot complete the printer installation even when the printer is shared from the Windows 10 computer.

As Windows 7 reached End of Support and many newer printers no longer include Windows 7 drivers, there may unfortunately not be a supported way to print directly from this printer using Windows 7.

One workaround you could try is:

On the Windows 7 PC, add a new printer manually.

Select an existing HP DeskJet driver or a generic printer driver if one is available in the Windows 7 driver list.

Point it to the shared printer on the Windows 10 PC.

This is not guaranteed to work, but some users have been able to print basic documents using a compatible or generic driver when the exact model driver is unavailable.

If that does not work, the practical options would be to continue printing through the Windows 10 PC or consider upgrading the Windows 7 computer to a supported version of Windows, which would provide access to current printer drivers and better hardware compatibility. Thanks for your understanding.
James829 0 Reputation points

2026-07-20T13:04:56.61+00:00

I will try that. If I did not specifically need windows 7 I would not be using it anymore. But I have a massive personal file system created through AOL 9.8.2, and worked on and added to everyday. It is currently 6883 files, 815 folders, 146 MB. I create the writing document in AOL 9.8.2, after it is how I want it I can copy it to wordpad and keep the format. Each Wednesday I put the whole thing on a flash drive and transfer to windows 10 computer, so really I have it saved 6 ways. But it must be worked on through AOL 9.8.2, which even if I could get it, which I can't, it won't download onto Windows 10. I am going to keep going until the Windows 7 computer fails un-fixable. Had 2 repairs already, hard drive was replaced a few years go, and the power supply last year. The guy at PC Warehouse shop was able to save the content of the hard drive and put it on the new one, I dodged a huge problem. Just using word or word pad to create the writing file , type up a file, does not work right for how I do it. AOL Gold does not allow writing. AOL 9.8.2 had/ has the greatest way I ever saw to create an actual file of words.
James829 0 Reputation points

2026-07-20T13:07:04.5566667+00:00

If I did not specifically need Windows 7 I would not be using it. It has software I need that cannot be on Windows 10, and is defunct. But there is nothing like it anywhere.
James829 0 Reputation points

2026-07-20T13:28:28.7133333+00:00

Google is saying to use Under Printers, scroll down and select HP Deskjet 990c (or Deskjet 450) as a work around. I have to check to see if those are on the windows 7 list, or update list, when i go to add a driver. Worth a try.
Anonymous

2026-07-21T03:55:21.86+00:00
Hi James829,

I understand why you are keeping the Windows 7 system running. It sounds like you have an established workflow built around AOL 9.8.2, and with multiple backups already in place you are taking sensible precautions to protect your data.

The HP DeskJet 990c workaround is actually worth trying. If the HP DeskJet 990c or DeskJet 450 driver appears in the Windows 7 printer driver list, you may be able to install the shared printer using one of those compatible drivers. Because these are older HP drivers that are included with Windows, some users have had success printing basic documents even when the exact printer model is not supported.

Since the printer is already working on the Windows 10 computer, I would try only the following:

Add the shared printer from the Windows 7 PC.

When prompted for a driver, select HP DeskJet 990c if available.

If that does not work, try HP DeskJet 450.

Print a simple text document as a test.

I cannot guarantee compatibility, but given that HP does not provide a Windows 7 driver for the DeskJet 2955, this is probably the most practical workaround remaining on the Windows 7 side.

Please let me know the result after testing the 990c or 450 driver. If one of them works, it may allow you to continue using the printer from both computers without having to transfer files each time.
Anonymous

2026-07-22T04:49:57.3333333+00:00

Hi James829,

Have you had the chance to check my answer yet?

Please do keep me updated.
James829 0 Reputation points

2026-07-22T11:12:00.4666667+00:00

I tried briefly, i am going to have time sometime between Thursday and Sunday to really look at it again and try. Then I will let you know. Browser 450 is available on Windows 7,but I could not figure out how to connect that with the printer.
Anonymous

2026-07-23T03:02:58.3333333+00:00

Hi James829,

Thank you for the update. I understand that you have not had enough time yet to fully test the workaround, and that's completely fine.

Since HP DeskJet 450 is available in the Windows 7 driver list, it is still worth trying when you have more time. The main idea is not to connect to the DeskJet 450 itself, but to use that driver as a substitute for the shared HP DeskJet 2955 on your Windows 10 computer.

When you revisit this, try adding the printer from "Devices and Printers" > "Add a printer" > "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer" and select the shared printer hosted on the Windows 10 PC. If Windows asks for a driver, choose HP DeskJet 450 from the Windows 7 driver list and then test with a simple text document first.

There is no rush. Given that Windows 7 has been out of support since January 14, 2020, newer printers often require some trial-and-error with compatible drivers when no native Windows 7 driver exists.
James829 0 Reputation points

2026-07-23T14:38:31.78+00:00

I wish I knew what I as doing. I think the problem is the network was set up on the Windows 7 computer. I have the modem/router/wifi, all in one box, connected by wire to the Windows 7 computer to get the Internet. The Windows 10 computer is wireless connected to that network. I have it as public network because I have no idea either way. My mom's computer and printer in her bedroom are wireless connected to the Altice network box too, as well as her Iphone. I do not have a smart phone. Years ago, over 20, I did run a printer using a different driver for a few years. I used to be smart. I was an analytical chemical using all kinds of computer driven analytical instruments. When I do what you said, ad a printer, it shows the old printer as my choices. The problem with the old printer last week was when I printed it came out as a blob in one part of the page. Google said to wash the inside with isopropyl alcohol. I did that not help. I went out and spend $58 on a black ink at Staples, put it in, and it worked for one page a few lines. I tried to again, and it did not come out right, and it said the cartridge has been damaged. Under stress to print documents for a county project we are appying for, I ran to Best Buy and bought the new printer, without realizing Windows 7 would be a problem. My fault. But I wish I could fix it without spending more money.
Anonymous

2026-07-26T02:03:28.15+00:00

Hi James829,

I understand your frustration.

At this stage, don't worry about advanced network settings or the Public/Private network designation yet. The first thing we need to determine is whether Windows 7 can actually find the shared printer on the network.

Thank you for explaining your Windows 7 setup and your AOL 9.8.2 workflow. It is completely understandable that you want to keep that system running, especially since it contains years of work and a process that still works well for you. The good news is that your regular backups give you a strong safety net while we explore printing workarounds.

When you have time to test again, please let me know: Does the HP DeskJet 2955 appear in the Windows 7 "Add a printer" list, or does only the old printer appear? That will help narrow down the next step.