Yes. However, this does not mean that your printer will be supported out of the box.
Your problem is not the printer, the problem is availability of windows drivers for the printer. If you find appropriate windows drivers supporting the printer you should not have problems using your laptop with the printer*. *I have assumed that you have windows installed on your laptop.
The Canon MX850 printer does not have official drivers for Windows 98, as this operating system is outdated and not supported by most modern printers. Canon typically provides drivers for more recent versions of Windows. If you need to use the MX850 with Windows 98, you might have to rely on generic printer drivers or consider using a different operating system that is compatible with the printer's official drivers.
If your printer has Windows Vista drivers available, they should also work in Windows 7. If your printer is less than 4 years old, it may have drivers available to download off of the manufacturer's website.
Printer drivers - are small programs that enable the operating software (eg Windows) to recognise that the printer is attached to the computer. They literally allow the printer and computer to 'talk' to each other.
Windows Vista likely doesn't include drivers for your printer. You will need to download them from the manufacturer's website.
There are Windows 7 drivers for this printer on HP's support site at the link below.
Usually they can be found on the printer manufacturers website.
yes
Absolutely - so long as you have the correct drivers for it. Windows has drivers for most existing printers already built-in, and will simply set up the necessary drivers once it detects the printer is attached to the computer. If not - you can usually find the drivers by searching for your particular printer's model on the internet.
In general, a printer company's wbsite will have the drivers you need, just search for your model on their Download/Support area. If your computer runs on Microsoft Windows, it can usually recognize your printer and get the driver files for you automatically.
No, it's not Vista or Windows 7 compatible. HP refused to build new drivers.
No. Even if the drivers are included you still need admins password