How to create a network between a laptop and a desk top

[Linda McGregor]

Hello,
I would like to create a network between my laptop and desktop PC so I can use the printer. can you tell me how to do this please, as simply as possible!!

 

[Saga Lout]

Hello and welcome to Tom's Hardware Forums.

Simple doesn't come easy with Microsoft but I'll try to make this clear. I you're using two XP systems, simply run the Network Setup Wizard on one computer from Control Panel. At the final stage tick "Don't create a disk - I'll run the wizard on the other computer". Then do that and tick the same option. You need to tick to have file and printer sharing and to name the Workgroup by the same name - either WORKGROUP or MSHOME will do as will anything else so long as they match.

If either or both computers are running Windows Vista or 7, please post back - it gets a bit more complicated.