The print queue folder, also known as the Spool folder, is a location on your computer where print jobs are temporarily stored before they are sent to the printer. When you send a document or file to be printed, it gets added to the print queue, and the printer processes the print jobs in the order they were received.
By default, the print queue folder is located in the following directory on a Windows computer: systemroot\System32\Spool\Printers. The “systemroot” refers to the Windows installation directory, which is typically “C:\Windows” on most systems. So, the full path to the print queue folder is “C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers”.
It’s worth noting that the print queue folder is a system folder, and therefore, it is hidden by default. To access it, you may need to enable the display of hidden files and folders in your operating system settings. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E.
2. Click on the “View” tab at the top of the File Explorer window.
3. In the “Show/hide” section, check the box for “Hidden items”.
Once you have enabled the display of hidden files and folders, you should be able to navigate to the print queue folder using the path mentioned above. Alternatively, you can also directly enter the path in the File Explorer address bar to quickly access the folder.
Inside the print queue folder, you will find a collection of files that represent the print jobs waiting to be processed. These files typically have the “.spl” or “.shd” file extensions. The “.spl” files contain the actual print data, while the “.shd” files store information about the print job, such as the printer settings and job status.
Managing the print queue folder can be useful in troubleshooting print issues or clearing out stuck print jobs. Here are a few actions you can take:
1. Clearing the print queue: If you have a print job that is stuck or not printing correctly, you can try clearing the print queue. To do this, you can simply delete all the files in the print queue folder. However, it’s important to note that deleting the files will remove all pending print jobs, so make sure you no longer need them before taking this action.
2. Restarting the print spooler service: The print spooler service is responsible for managing the print queue. Sometimes, restarting this service can resolve print-related issues. You can do this by opening the Services window, locating the “Print Spooler” service, and then stopping and starting it again.
3. Backing up print queue files: In some cases, you may want to back up the print queue files before taking any actions. This can be helpful if you need to restore print jobs or troubleshoot further. Simply copy the files from the print queue folder to a different location on your computer.
Understanding the location and purpose of the print queue folder can be beneficial when it comes to managing and troubleshooting printer-related issues. It allows you to have more control over the print jobs on your computer and ensures a smoother printing experience.