Spool File Location is Not Configurable

 Last reviewed: May 13, 1997
Article ID: Q109698
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When you print from an application under Windows NT, the Spooler usually stores the print job as a pair of files on your hard disk. The location of these files is not configurable, the Spooler is hard-coded to store the files at %SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS.

CAUSE

This is a limitation in the current product.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, upgrade to Windows NT Workstation or Server version 3.5.

There is no workaround to force the Spooler to store spool files in a different location, but you can prevent spooling from applications running on the local computer. In Print Manager, select the printer whose jobs should not be spooled. From the Printer menu, choose Properties, and then select the Details button. In the Printer Details dialog box, select the Print Directly To Ports option. Note that the Print Directly To Ports option is not available for printers that are shared on the network.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. This problem was corrected in Windows NT Workstation or Server version 3.5.

Additional query words: prodnt SHD SPL
Keywords : kbbug3.10 kbprint ntprint NTSrvWkst
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: May 13, 1997
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