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How To Capture Windows Spool File

This page provides detailed information on how to capture a windows spool file in case of error conditions or if the application does not support "Print to file". The steps listed on this page are applicable for a Windows Server.

Steps

  1. Manually power down the printer or pause the queue so printing will stay held in the queue.

  2. Print a document that demonstrates the problem (normally using a workstation).

  3. On the server, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Spool\PRINTERS\ folder.

  4. Take a copy of the SPL and SHD files whose creation date matches the time of the print.

  5. Copy and rename the files to a descriptive name like "testprint-3pages-2color-1bw.spl".

In troubleshooting problems, it is sometimes necessary to capture the data (spool file) being sent to the printer. Below are the instructions for two different methods for capturing a spool file on a Windows computer.

  1. The first step is to make sure that output is spooled to the printer, rather than printing directly.

    1. Go to Devices and Printers, right click on the printer queue, and select "Printer Properties",

    2. Make sure that the setting "Spool print documents so program finishes printing faster" radio button is selected,

  2. Next, we pause printing to the queue so we can capture the file

    1. Right click in Devices and Printers, select See What\'s Printing,

    2. Select Pause Printing,

  3. Next, open the spool directory (C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS\) to watch for the spool file after it enters the queue,

  4. Print your document through the print queue,

  5. Look for files with an extension of *.SPL in the directory:

  6. Copy and rename the files to a descriptive name like "testprint-spool.spl".