Sharing Between Windows 7 and Vista

Howdy folks, Harrikie here.

I have tried to share Brotherhood MFC-7420 on my Windows 7 computer with a Vista machine (both 64bit, Home Premiums). If I try to add new printer through "add printer" option, I get this error message:

"The server for the 'Brother MFC-7420 USB Printer' printer does not have the correct printer driver installed. If you want to search for the proper driver, clock OK. Otherwise, click Cancel and contact your network administrator or original equipment manufacturer for the correct printer driver."

I dug around in Google for awhile, and some people used the trick where they installed the printer locally and changed the port name to \\ComputerName\Printer. When I do it, it gives me an error message: "Access Denied."

I updated the driver.
Network discovery is on.
Printer Sharing is on.
Password-Protected Sharing is off.
The Win7 machine is in a Homegroup with 2 other Win7 computers.
I tried lowering my Windows Firewall during connection.

So far no dice. Please help!

Welcome to Seven Forums.

I assume you know that only other Windows 7 computers can join the Homegroup.

You might want to check this Tut:

How To Share Files and Printers Between Windows 7 and Vista - How-To Geek

Already done everything on there. It didn't really help... I don't think I've ever been this frustrated over printer sharing. :[

Have you installed a printer driver on the Vista system?

Have you tried changing the name of the workgroup on Win 7 and giving Vista the same name?

Also, have you checked that your firewall isn't blocking access?

Troubles like this are the one of the reasons where using a wireless printer or an ethernet hub is the easier option.

Enable file and printer sharing

I checked the firewall settings and File and Printer Sharing is allowed through the firewall (both computers). I even tried to connect with the firewall off.

To establish a Workgroup for 7 to Vista/Vista to 7:

Start > Right Click [Computer] > [Properties] > “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” > [Change Settings] > Click [Change] > Tick “Workgroup”. Now just type in the desired name of your Workgroup.

Note that this Workgroup name must be the EXACT same on both/all computers you want on the network under a “Workgroup” network. Also that doing this on Vista is the same procedure to set this up as on 7… at least as far as I remember.

Now after you’ve done that on both/all systems… go into the network setup and put the same workgroup (homegroup in the Network Setup) name you chose in the above procedure and go from there. (You should know how to do the rest from here, if not ask and we’ll help you get it all squared away).


Also, you will have one hell of a time getting an older printer to play nice on a shared connection like this. After weeks and weeks and weeks of frustration and just not getting it to work no matter what I tried (and I tried everything), we ended up HAVING to buy a new, WiFi, Printer to manage it as the six-year old one we had just wouldn’t allow that or even play nice with Vista/7 by itself (was originally for an XP desktop bought with it in 2004). WiFi is the way to go for hassle/stress-free setup (Printer’s wireless setup basically does it all for you). Just FYI and good luck!