How do I install a printer on my computer without an installation disc?

Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine your life without technology, with the help of which many types of work are simplified. For example, a computer and a printer have long replaced manuscripts and are indispensable helpers in the work of every modern person. For these two devices to work well, it is necessary to correctly establish a connection between them. To do this, the printer, as a rule, has a special installation disk in the kit, with which you can perform quick setup, after which you can control the printing device from your computer. But what if you don't have such a disk at hand? Can I install a printer on my computer without it? Let's try to answer these questions.

For two devices to work together, special drivers are needed to ensure their communication with each other. They can be installed on a computer using a special CD-ROM, which is most often included with the printing device. This method is the fastest and easiest, because all the necessary elements for installation are at hand.

Everything is very clear here. But how do you install a printer on a computer without an installation disc?

In this case, you need to choose one of two possible installation options:

• setting up communication between two devices via a USB cable and built-in functions of the operating system;
• loading of special software.

With their help, printing and scanning of documents will become available. Unfortunately, in this case it will be inappropriate to talk about setting up documents before printing, choosing colors and other advanced functions, since the presence of basic drivers will not make it possible to carry out this kind of manipulation.

The second method is time-consuming, but during this installation, updated drivers will be obtained that will open up the full range of possibilities associated with the operation of the printing device.

Let's consider in detail each of the ways to connect a printer to a computer without a disk.

Installation using a USB cable and built-in functions of Windows 8, Windows 10. Having chosen this method of solving the problem, it is necessary to perform a certain sequence of actions.

1. Connect the USB cable to the computer. Typically, on a laptop, the USB port is located on the side, on a computer, on the back or front of the case.
2. Press the power button on the printer control panel and wait until the printing device is ready for operation. Most often, after switching on, a window for installing an additional device appears on the computer automatically. If it appears, you just need to follow the instructions that will be displayed on the screen. If it is not there, you should proceed to the next step.
3. On the computer, open the Control Panel by clicking the "Start" button.
4. Find the "Printers and Scanners" tab and click on it with the mouse.
5. Add printer and scanner by clicking on the corresponding tab.
6. Select the name of your printer in the window that opens and click on it. The Add Printer Wizard appears. (If the required printer is not found in the list of devices, you must click on the icon "The required printer is not in the list", then select the search option and follow the instructions on the screen.)
7. Carry out the installation according to the instructions that appear on the monitor screen. After completing these steps, you can use the printing device.

Installing a Printer Using a USB Cable in Mac OS X. Let's consider the procedure for such pairing.

1. Determine the compatibility of the printer with Mac OS X. Unfortunately, not all printers can work with this operating system. In order not to perform unnecessary actions, first it is worth finding out which model the connected printer has, and whether it is compatible with this system.
2. Check for a USB adapter (if needed). Most modern Mac computers do not have standard USB connectors. Instead, you can find USB-C. In this case, a USB to USB-C adapter is required to connect the cable to a computer.
3. Plug the USB cable into your computer. (If you have an adapter, first connect it to the USB-C port and then connect the cable to the adapter.)
4. Press the power button on the printer.
5. Click on the "Install" tab when prompted to do so. Mac OS X automatically detects the printer and determines if you need to configure it. If the setup has never been done, an installation request will appear on the screen.
6. Follow the consecutive prescriptions of the instructions. After the performed actions, the printer will be ready for use.

Downloading the software involves a number of steps.

1. It is necessary to carefully study the instructions for the printer to be installed in order to find and download the appropriate software for the printing device.
2. Go to the official website of the printer manufacturer.
3. Open the "Printers" tab. Most often, it is located at the top of the page. You can also use the search bar and enter your printer model by skipping the next step.
4. Select the model of the printer connected to the computer.
5. Find the download link. It is called "Software". Or follow the direct link - "Download software".
6. Download the software by double clicking on the link. Start the process of downloading the installation file.
7. Wait until the process of downloading to your computer is completed. When prompted, you will need to specify the desired folder to save the downloaded file.
8. Unpack the downloaded archive with the installation file. On a Windows computer, double-click the archive folder, and when prompted, select the folder and "Extract Here". On Mac OS X, double-clicking an archive will open it.
9. Double click to open the installation file. On Windows, the folder is opened by clicking on the EXE file, and on Mac OS X, by clicking on the DMG file.
10. Follow all prescriptions and instructions that appear on the monitor screen.
11. Connect the printer to the computer and start working with it.

There are several helpful guidelines to help answer questions that arise when installing the printer on a computer.

• If a USB cable was not supplied with the printer, you must purchase it at any hardware store. To find the correct cable, enter "USB cable for (printer model)" in the search box. If your printer does not have a USB cable, you must manually install the software.
• Be prepared for the fact that some manufacturers send driver discs for a fee. Detailed information about this can be obtained on the manufacturer's website.
• The printer software should only be downloaded and installed from trusted sites.

How to install the printer on a computer without a disk, see below.