You should be aware that AirPrint, the wireless printing technology that has been introduced with the latest version of iOS, was originally intended to work over shared printers connected to Mac and Windows as well.

However, this functionality was scrapped in the public release. Consequently, AirPrint on iOS 4.2.1 only works over certain models of HP printers. 

Nevertheless, if your workspace contains only a shared printer, the step-by-step instructions provided below will help you  to re-enable AirPrint on Windows 7: 

Step 1: You will need the latest version of iTunes on your Windows system. If you do not have it installed yet, download iTunes 10.1 before you proceed.

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 'Unblock' the application

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. 

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 below.

[via TiPb]