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Q264662: Leftover SPL, SHD, and TMP Files Remain in the Spool Directory A

Article: Q264662
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 27-SEP-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

After all print jobs are completed, you have several SPL, SHD, and TMP files
left over in the C:\Winnt\System32\Spool\Printers directory.

WORKAROUND
==========

You can safely delete leftover files that have an .spl, .shd, or .tmp extension
from the C:\Winnt\System32\Spool\Printers directory. These files should have
been automatically deleted when the print job was printed.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The following briefly describes the purpose of SPL, SHD, and TMP files:

SPL files are the actual spool (print job) files.

TMP files are usually associated with LPR print jobs.

SHD files provide information about which printer the print job was sent to and
from whom the print job came. An SHD file is a "shadow" file that keeps track of
what logical printer a (same number) xxxxx.spl file goes to. It also contains
the file's order in the queue, the user who sent the file to the printer, and
other information. These files are usually deleted unless the logical printer
settings state otherwise.

Additional query words:

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : :4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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