Indicate whether your HP printer will be connected to your computer with a USB cable, or through a network connection. You can also choose to connect your printer later.
Your Situation
Your Printer Capabilities
Setup Requirements
Your Connection Option
• You have no need to share your printer with other PCs
• Or, you don't have a Local Area Network (LAN)
• Or, your PC is not connected to a network
• Or, you have a network, but don't want to connect your printer to it now
Your printer has network connection capability, but you don't want to connect it to the network now
USB cable connection, when prompted by the setup software
USB
A direct USB connection between your PC and printer is the simplest, fastest, and most robust setup. However, a USB connection limits the access others might have to the printer.
• You have a Local Area Network (LAN) with an Ethernet (wired — 802.3) connection
• Or, you have a LAN with a wireless router/access point that has a free Ethernet/802.3 port. Plus, your printer will be close enough to the wireless router/access point to be connected by a cable.
Your printer has Ethernet (wired — 802.3) network connection capability
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Ethernet cable (Cat 5) for connecting printer to network
Network
A wired network connection is fast and reliable. It enables other PCs on the same network to use the printer.
• Your PC is connected to a wireless 802.11 network and you want to enable other PCs on the network to have access to the printer
• You want to have flexibility to position the printer away from the wireless router/access point
Your printer has wireless network (802.11) connection capability
• Wireless 802.11 Local Area Network (LAN) with a wireless router/access point
• SSID (name of wireless network)
• Password (for encrypted networks)
• USB cable, if applicable for your printer (USB setup of wireless)
For details, see Wireless Network Connection (802.11).
Network
A wireless network connection lets you position your printer without the restrictions of a cable. It enables other PCs on the network to access the printer. However, it may take longer to set up than other types of connection.