You can install a network printer directly into Windows.
Before installing a network printer in Windows, make sure that:
Your Mac can access the Internet.
Windows is configured to work in either the Shared networking mode or Bridged networking mode and can access the Internet too.
The user account in Windows has permission to access the network printer.
You know the printer's IP address.
After that, you can log in to Windows and install a network printer.
Before adding a network printer in Windows, download and install an appropriate printer driver. For detailed information on installing the printer driver, refer to the printer manufacturer documentation.
To add a network printer in Windows 11:
Make sure your network printer is powered on and connected to your network via an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
Open the Windows Start menu and select Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
Select Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner and click Add device.
Windows will scan the available network for printers. In most cases, this will result in Windows automatically discovering your printer. Select Add device.
Should Windows fail to complete the process automatically, do the following:
Choose the Add manually option.
Select the Add a printer using an IP address or hostname option and click Next.
Under Device type, select the IPP Device option, which covers most TCP/IP-based network printers. Type in the IP address in the Hostname or IP address field. Click Next.
When ready, click Next.
Your printer is now installed and ready to print.
Note: If you are running an older version of Windows, check Microsoft's Support Center for the information specific to your Windows version.
The procedure of setting up a network printer in a Linux or FreeBSD guest operating system depends on the Linux or FreeBSD distribution and printer. In this example, we describe how to set up a network printer in a virtual machine running RHEL 5.4 Server. However, you can use these guidelines as general instructions on how to set up a network printer in a Linux or FreeBSD virtual machine.
Note: For more detailed information, refer to the CUPS documentation.
To set up a network printer:
Start the virtual machine.
Make sure the following components are installed in the guest operating system:
Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS). Installation instructions can be found at CUPS site;
Samba service. Installation instructions can be found at Samba site; and
A Web browser, since we consider controlling CUPS via web interface.
Download and install an appropriate printer driver. For detailed information on installing the printer driver, refer to the printer manufacturer's documentation.
Start Common UNIX Printing System. In the Terminal, type the command:
/etc/init.d/cups start
Start a web browser and type either the IP address of your virtual machine or http://127.0.0.1:631.
Click the Add Printer button.
In the Add New Printer window, specify a printer name. Under this name the printer will be displayed in the guest operating system. You can also enter the printer description and location. When ready, click Forward.
In the Device for <Printer Name> window, select AppSocket/HP JetDirect and click Continue.
In the Device URI for <Printer Name> window, specify the printer IP address in the following format:
socket://<printer IP address>
When ready, click Continue.
In the Make/Manufacturer for <Printer Name> window, select the manufacturer of your printer and click Continue.
In the Model/Driver for <Printer Name> window, select the model of your printer and click Add Printer.
Enter the root password when prompted.
CUPS performs the installation. If the installation is successful, the "Printer <name> has been configured successfully" message is displayed. Now you can use this printer to print documents from the virtual machine.