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FC0-U71 Practice Question: An office has a single shared printer connected…
An office has a single shared printer connected via USB to a Windows 10 desktop. Other users in the office need to print to this printer from their own computers, which are connected to the same local network. What is the simplest way to share the printer without additional hardware?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates may overthink the solution and choose a more complex option like a Raspberry Pi print server (Option A), not realizing that Windows' built-in printer sharing is designed exactly for this scenario and requires no extra hardware.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable printer sharing on the desktop and connect from other computers using the network path
Windows 10 includes built-in printer sharing via the SMB protocol, which allows the printer connected via USB to be shared over the local network without any additional hardware. Enabling printer sharing on the desktop and connecting from other computers using the network path (e.g., \\desktop-name\printer-name) is the simplest method that leverages existing network infrastructure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set up a print server using a Raspberry Pi
Why it's wrong here
Setting up a print server using a Raspberry Pi introduces unnecessary complexity and additional hardware, whereas the scenario requires the simplest method without extra equipment; Windows 10 already includes built-in printer sharing over the local network via the "Printers & scanners" settings. This option is tempting because a dedicated print server is normally used to offload print queues from a desktop in larger offices, making it correct when a centralised, always-on device is needed without relying on a single user’s PC remaining powered.
- ✓
Enable printer sharing on the desktop and connect from other computers using the network path
Why this is correct
This uses built-in Windows features, no extra hardware needed.
- ✗
Install the printer on each computer by connecting it via USB when needed
Why it's wrong here
This is inconvenient and shares the printer poorly.
- ✗
Connect the printer directly to the network switch using an Ethernet cable
Why it's wrong here
The printer has only a USB port, not an Ethernet port.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.