You can print almost any document, photo, web page or file you can display on your computer. If you are new to printing, this article may help you understand the types of printer, how to connect a printer to your computer, and printing options.
The printer and the types of technology
The printers are classified by how they reproduce text and graphics on paper. Each type of printer offers different advantages.
Inkjet printers
Inkjet printers print by placing small dots of ink on a page to reproduce text or graphics. Inkjet printers can print in color or black ink. Although ink cartridges must be replaced periodically, inkjet printers are often purchased for home use, because they can be relatively inexpensive. Some inkjet printers can reproduce high quality images and detailed graphics.
Laser Printers
Laser printers use toner, which is a fine, powdery substance, reproduce text and graphics on paper. Laser printers can print in color or black ink, although color laser printers are generally more expensive. A laser printer that can print using only black ink is sometimes referred to as a monochrome printer.
Laser printers are generally high-capacity paper trays, so you do not need to add paper as often as you would for an inkjet printer. They can also print more pages per minute than most inkjet printers can print more pages per cartridge. If you print in large volumes, which means that a laser printer can cost less for each page you print.
Multifunction printers
Inkjet or laser printers also let you fax, photocopying, scanning documents or are regarded as multifunction printers. A single multifunction printer can more convenient to connect your computer to multiple devices. You may also be able to use certain features of a multifunction printer without turning on your computer.
Connecting a printer
Some printers can print without using your computer for example, to print photos directly from a digital camera memory card. However, connecting a printer to your computer lets you print documents, files, pictures, Web pages and more. For more information about how to connect a printer, see Add or remove a printer.
When you add a printer, Windows will automatically install the software that allows it to work with your computer. You can add a printer using a wired or wireless.
Wired printers
A printer is connected to any printer that connects to a computer using a cable and a port on the computer. Most printers use a universal serial bus (USB). When you connect a printer to your computer wire and power, Windows will automatically try to install the printer for you. If Windows can not detect the printer, you can find and add the printer manually.
Wireless printers
A wireless printer is a printer that connects to a computer using either Bluetooth or another wireless technology, such as 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g.
Bluetooth technology uses radio transmissions to allow a printer to communicate with your computer over a short distance. To connect a Bluetooth printer, you need to add a Bluetooth adapter to your computer. Most Bluetooth adapters plug into a USB port on your computer. When you plug the adapter and turn on the Bluetooth printer, Windows will try to automatically install, or invite you to install. If Windows can not detect the printer, you can find and add it manually.
To connect a printer via a Bluetooth wireless technology than others, both your computer and the printer must be connected to a wireless network. Check the information that came with your printer to see if a wireless network adapter. If not, you need to add before you can connect the printer to your wireless network. To avoid interference between a wireless printer and your computer, try not to locate wireless phones or other wireless devices near the printer.
Note
To determine if your printer or printer you plan to buy is compatible with Windows Vista, go to the compatibility with Windows Vista Center website. This site contains a complete list of printers and other hardware devices that have been tested to work with Windows Vista.
Make sure your printer is ready to print
After adding a printer, it's a good idea to print a test page to ensure that the printer works properly. A test page prints sample text and graphics in color or black and white, depending on the type of printer you're using. It could also display information on the printer, such as printer driver name and version, which can help resolve problems if the printer is not working properly.
If you add a printer only, it becomes your default printer. This means that the printer is automatically selected when you print a document or file. If you add more than one printer, you can select the printer to use by default. Choose the printer you use most often.
Print using Windows
The quickest way to print a document or file to be printed using Windows. You do not need to open the file, choose printing options, or change printer settings. Windows will print the document to your default printer.
Click to open documents.
Find the file you want to print.
Right-click the file, then click Print. Windows will be printed with your printer settings by default.
Print using software
To print using software, open document, image, or file that you want to print. After opening the document in software, you can choose options for printing.
Common printing options
Most printing options are located in the Print dialog box, which you can access from the File menu in a program. The options available to you depend on the issue and the printer you are using. To access certain options, you may need to click on the "Preferences", "Properties", or "Advanced" link or button in the Print dialog box.
Common print options for a program include:
Selecting the printer. You can select a printer from a list of printers that are connected to your computer.
Page range. You can print specific pages or sections of a document. To select individual pages or a sequence (range) of pages, you can usually the type of page numbers, separated by commas or hyphens. For example, if you type 1,4,5-7, only pages 1 and 4, then pages 5 to 7, will be printed.
The selection option lets you print only the text or graphics that you selected in the document. The current page option lets you print only the current page.
Number of copies and bring them together. You can print more than one copy of a document, image, or file at a time. Use the option to collect print all pages in a document at once, in order, before printing multiple copies of the document.
The page orientation. Also known as document layout, this option allows you to print the contents of the page Top (Portrait) or across the page (Landscape).
Paper size. If your printer can print more than one size paper, this option allows you to select the paper size you have loaded into the printer.
Production of paper or source. Also known as destination or output paper tray, this option allows you to specify the paper tray of the printer to use. In this way, you can load and store different sizes in each tray.
The two-sided printing. Also called duplex or duplex, this option allows you to print on both sides of a sheet of paper. This option is only available if your printer supports.
Print in color or black in. This option is only available if your printer supports.
Use Print Preview
To see what the printed copy will be like before printing it, open the document in a program that offers a print preview. The print preview is usually in the File menu for a program. You should be able to preview each page of the document. In some, you can choose options print preview mode, and then print directly from the preview. In other programs, you may have to close the preview, change the document or settings for your printer, then print it.
If you view or print a document and this is not the way you, you may need to change the document or change the printing options. For example, if only a portion of your single document on the printed page, you may need to reduce the font size, lower margins, or change the layout, then try to print again.
Track your print jobs
When you send a document or any other type of file to a printer, it becomes a job. Some printers have a screen that displays an alert if a problem such as low toner or paper jam occurs. Many printers display a message in the notification area on your computer. To resolve the problems, you can review the information displayed on the screen of your printer, see the information provided with the printer, or go to the manufacturer's Web site.
Use Windows, you can view the print queue to keep track of your print jobs. The print queue displays information about the documents that are waiting to print, such as the status of printing the document owner, and the number of pages to print. You can use the print queue to view, suspend, resume, restart, and cancel print jobs.
To view the print queue
Click here to open Printers.
To open the print queue, double-click the printer you are using.
Tip
If your print jobs are being printed, you can open the print queue by double-clicking the printer icon in the notification area.
For more information about managing print jobs, see a pause or resume printing and Cancel printing.
