How to add a printer or scanner in Windows 10

How to add a printer or scanner in Windows 10

The installation of external devices such as a printer or a scanner is something that has been greatly simplified over time. Today, with the Internet, we don't have to worry about downloading drivers and programs, we just have to connect the printer via USB to our computer , and in a matter of a few minutes we can have the installation done.

However, when we want to install a Wi-Fi printer, things are not so intuitive. You have to know the steps to be able to do it, because if not, we can waste valuable time simply looking for the right panel . Especially since, since Microsoft took the design turn with Windows 8 and Windows 10, many menus have been relocated, or simply disappeared.

Therefore, we are going to see the fastest way to connect a printer or scanner to our PC with Windows 10, through two ways:

Setting

Windows 10 configuration

The first way that we are going to teach you is the one that Windows 10 conceives by default, it is the most "natural", but not necessarily the best. We go to the Windows button in the lower left corner and click it. Then the start menu will appear, and we must enter Settings .

There are two ways to do it: searching the list in alphabetical order for C , and clicking on Settings, or clicking directly on the gear icon, which should appear immediately above the shutdown and restart button.

This will take us to a new menu, very visual, where we have several options, such as System, Devices, Network and Internet, Applications and more. The one that interests us is Devices. When we enter we will arrive at a list of types of devices that can be connected to our computer . We have to click on Printers and scanners.

mode one printer

In the menu of printers and scanners we will have included those that have already been added previously , or those that come by default in Windows 10, which are not properly printers: they are the fax and the tools to download in PDF or XPS format.

If we want to add a device, click on Add printer or scanner. At that moment, the computer will start looking for the printers connected to Wi-Fi, and will offer us a list . If our printer is not on the list, there may be a problem with the connection, or the printer is not properly connected. If it is on the list, you just have to select it and we have the printer connected.

Control Panel

If you want to opt for the simplest mode, the classic Windows Control Panel, don't worry, it can also be done. What happens is that Windows 10 has hidden it a little bit . In fact, there is no direct access to the traditional control panel.

If we want to enter it, we have to go to the search engine  (the easiest way is to click on the start button with the right button and select Search) and write the words "Control Panel". This will take us to the classic menu that many of us know from other versions of Windows.

second way printer

There you have to look for the Hardware and sound option (it has a printer icon) and you can choose View devices and printers , which will take you to a new menu that will allow you to view the connected printers and add one, by going to Add a printer. Another option is to directly choose Add a device from the menu above.

Either way, a new window will appear with a bar that will fill up , and in which, as in the previous case, the printers or scanners connected to the same network as you will appear. Select the one you want and that's it.

These have been the two main ways of adding a printer connected to Wi-Fi, one more "old-fashioned", and the one that Bill Gates wants you to use by default in Windows 10. Choose the one with which you feel most comfortable , and which a printer or a scanner does not come between you and your good morning.