"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Windows XP and Printers

Keep Spooled Print Jobs for Later Reprinting

SUMMARY: Save backups of documents printed under Windows XP.

Normally, when you print a file from Windows XP, the print job is sent to a spool, then printed, then removed. If you need to reprint the document, you must go back to the originating software program and reprint the information. You can, however, keep Windows XP from deleting items from the print spool, meaning that previously printed items can be reprinted straight from the Printers Control Panel. Note that if you do this, you will need to occasionally manually delete print jobs else you may run out of hard drive space.

1. Click "Start", then "Printers and Faxes".

2. When the "Printers and Faxes" window appears, right-click on a printer and choose "Properties".

3. When the "Properties" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, choose "Advanced".

4. Check "Print directly to the printer".

5. Click "OK".