domainnetworkingprinterwindows 7windows-vista
I have a work laptop computer at home running Windows Vista that is on work domain group that it uses when it connects to a work VPN. The laptop is on a local LAN that has a connection to the internet, the LAN also a desktop running Windows 7 with a printer on a workgroup.
Can I print from my work domain laptop to my home domain desktop printer?
Is there any free software that can let me do this?
You shouldn't need to use a homegroup to share printers. Just go to Devices and Printers (under the start menu) and find the printer.
Printer PropertiesSharing tabShare this printerOK
I just set up Windows 7 on a domain in a virtual machine and tested this, and it let me share the printer just fine without being connected to a homegroup.
Simple answer is that you can't - the system is either a domain member or a workgroup member.
Long answer is that you probably don't need to. You can probably get away with just keeping it on the domain.
I have never had any problem accessing shared resources hosted by non-member systems from a domain-joined system; that is to say, you don't need to be a member of the workgroup in order to use its shared resources - you just need to have valid credentials for the non-domain server you're accessing.
Likewise, I've never had any trouble accessing shared resources hosted on domain-joined servers from non-domain systems; typically, you just need to provide domain-based credentials when accessing the particular resource. For instance, you could use this command line to map a network drive hosted on a domain member server from a non-domain client system:
net use x: \\memberserver\sharename /user:domain\username
You can use this approach with graphical tools as well.
I can't guarantee this sort of thing will work in all network configurations, but it's always worked for me.
Best Answer
You should be able to share out a printer on your home LAN, and have it accessible by any computer on that network. If both are running Windows XP or later, no special software (other than perhaps drivers) should be required.
The only limitations would be those that may be imposed by group policy (preventing you from installing things to the work laptop) or by your VPN service (preventing you from accessing resources on the LAN while connected to the VPN).