Apple introduced AirPrint, the wireless printing technology with the latest version of iOS. AirPrint was originally intended to work over shared printers connected to Mac and Windows as well. But, this functionality was removed from the final release of iOS 4.2.1. Consequently, AirPrint on iOS 4.2.1 only works over certain models of HP printers.

Follow the step-by-step instructions provided below will help you  to re-enable AirPrint on Windows.

Prerequisites:

  1. Download and install iTunes 10.1 from here
  2. Make sure the printer is setup as a shared printer on your local PC
  3. Printer and iOS device should share the same Wifi connection
  4. Make sure you have full administrator privileges to enable / disable services on your PC

How To Enable AirPrint On Windows (Recommended Method):

Download AirPrint Installer:

Step 1:

Download AirPrint installer for Windows from the link above, once downloaded, right-click on setup.exe and choose Run as administrator from the pop-up menu.

Step 2:

Just follow the on-screen instructions to install AirPrint service on Windows:


Step 3:

Once installation completes, Windows Firewall will prompt you allow or deny AirPrint features to be shared over networks. Click on Allow access button.

Please note that only HP ePrint enabled Photosmart, Officejet and Laserjet printers currently supports Apple’s AirPrint service. You don’t need any additional network setup if you are using one of these printers and can print any media directly from your iOS 4.2.1 AirPrint enabled iDevice.

[All the credit to this installer goes to TadGhostal @tadghostal]

How To Enable AirPrint On Windows (Complex Method):

Step 1:

You will need the latest version of iTunes on your Windows system, as mentioned in the prerequisites.

Step 2:

Click here to download the AirPrint files. Extract the zipped version to a folder named ‘AirPrint‘ on your desktop. This folder will contain three files – airprint.exe, libairprint.dll and Xpdfprint.dll

Step 3:

If you are on a 32-bit computer, move this folder from the desktop to “C:\Program Files\”. Users on a 64-bit computer will have to instead move the folder to “C:\Program Files(x86)\”

Step 4:

From the desktop screen, go to Start -> Run and type CMD. Press the return key to continue

Step 5:

Enter the following commands in the command window that appears. Please Note : Enter the commands as-is. Remember to insert a space after the ‘=’ symbol.

32-bit Windows

  • sc.exe create AirPrint binPath= “C:\Program Files\AirPrint\airprint.exe -s” depend= “Bonjour Service” start= auto
  • sc.exe start AirPrint

64-bit Windows

  • sc.exe create AirPrint binPath= “C:\Program Files (x86)\AirPrint\airprint.exe -s” depend= “Bonjour Service” start= auto
  • sc.exe start AirPrint

Step 6:

The airprint.exe application will now be launched. If you are prompted by the Windows Firewall, choose to ‘Allow Access‘.

Step 7:

Configure the printer settings so that it is set to the Shared mode on both the printer settings as well as on the network settings

Step 8:

You will be prompted for the Admin user ID and password the first time you launch AirPrint from your iDevice. Enter the credentials to enable wireless printing.

That’s it you are done. You should be able to print from your iPhone, iPad or iPad Touch via AirPrint to any printer connected to your Windows PC. Please let us know how the process goes in the comments section below.

How To Enable AirPrint On Windows (Easy Method):

For Windows users who want AirPrint to work with their computer and don’t want to go through the lengthy steps listed above, there is a new tool works on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows called ‘AirPrint Activator.’

The tool works on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows machines and all setup requires is three easy steps. The steps are in German but here’s our English version via (translated) Macerkopf:

Just download the one-click tool, install and activate AirPrint for Windows 32bit or 64bit. Then you have to have the printer in System Preferences (printer properties) to share. Already, all printer under Windows 32-bit or Windows 64-bit for IOS 4.2.1 and AirPrint available. Please note Step 3: AirPrint.exe must be enabled in Windows Firewall.

Download AirPrint Activator:

Let us know in the comments how it goes for you. And, as usual stay tuned for more news and info by following us on Twitter and/or by subscribing to our RSS Feed.

[Source: TiPb; 9to5Mac; @tadghostal]