Patent ID: 8570583

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a storage unit configured to store information regarding the image forming apparatus, the information including first setting information including at least one of a communication setting that includes an IP address, subnet mask, or gateway, an operating environment setting, and a detail setting related to use of a paper tray, toner color, or a print language; a reading unit configured to read information, including second setting information, from a detachable recording medium previously mounted to another image forming apparatus; a control unit configured to recognize whether the information read from the detachable recording medium previously mounted to the another image forming apparatus can be applied to the image forming apparatus based on the first setting information stored in the storage unit and the second setting information read from the detachable recording medium previously mounted to the another image forming apparatus, the control unit being further configured to apply the information read from the detachable recording medium previously mounted to the another image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus if the information read from the detachable recording medium previously mounted to the another image forming apparatus is recognized as applicable to the image processing apparatus.