The `print` command in CMD is used to print a text file to a specified printer or to the default printer, allowing users to quickly output documents directly from the command line.
print myfile.txt
Understanding the CMD Print Command
What is the CMD Print Command?
The cmd print command is a command-line utility that allows users to send files directly to a printer from the Windows Command Prompt (CMD). This command is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to automate printing tasks or when working on servers without a graphical interface. The print command simplifies the printing process by enabling users to specify a file and the desired printer through simple commands.
Key Terminology
To fully grasp the functionality of the cmd print command, it’s essential to understand some key terminology:
-
CMD: Short for Command Prompt, a command-line interface in Windows that allows users to interact with the operating system through various commands.
-
Print Command: This specific command facilitates printing files from the CMD, giving you control over what gets printed and how.
-
Printer Device: Refers to the physical printer connected to your system or network that processes the print job.
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How to Use the CMD Print Command
Syntax of the Print Command
The syntax for the cmd print command is quite straightforward. It allows you to specify the device and filename you wish to print. The basic format is:
print [/D:device] [filename]
Here, the `/D:device` option is optional, while the filename is mandatory.
Parameters and Options
`/D:device`
The `/D:device` parameter allows you to specify which printer you want to use, especially important if you have multiple printers installed. To find your printer’s name, you can go to the «Devices and Printers» section in the Control Panel.
`filename`
This parameter allows you to designate which file you want to print. The cmd print command supports various file types, but it’s predominantly used for plain text files (.txt).
Example Usage of the Print Command
Simple Print Command
One of the simplest applications of the cmd print command is printing a text file. For instance:
print C:\Users\YourUser\Documents\example.txt
In this example, CMD sends the «example.txt» file located in the Documents folder to the default printer without additional specifications.
Specifying a Printer
If you need to specify which printer to use, for instance, if «PrinterName» is your printer of choice, the command would look like this:
print /D:\\PrinterName C:\Users\YourUser\Documents\example.txt
This command ensures that your document is printed using the designated printer rather than the default one. To find your printer name, look in the Devices and Printers section, where it’s listed under the installed printers.
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Advanced Usage of the Print Command
Printing from Network Printers
The cmd print command can also be used to print to network printers, allowing for flexibility in your printing options. When printing to a network printer, the syntax remains similar:
print /D:\\NetworkPrinterName\PrinterQueue C:\Users\YourUser\Documents\example.txt
In this scenario, replace `NetworkPrinterName` with the name of your network printer and `PrinterQueue` with the name of the printer’s queue. To locate network printer names, check with your network administrator or find them in the Devices and Printers section.
Error Handling
Common Errors
While using the cmd print command, you may encounter several common issues:
-
File Not Found: This error occurs if the specified file path is incorrect or if the file does not exist.
-
Access Denied: This message may indicate that you do not have the necessary permissions to access the file or printer.
Troubleshooting Steps
If you experience issues, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- Double-check the file path and ensure the file exists.
- Verify printer connectivity (for both local and network printers).
- Ensure that you have the correct permissions to access the file and send print commands.
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Practical Applications
Use Cases for the Print Command
The cmd print command proves invaluable in various scenarios:
-
Office Environments: Automating printing tasks can save time during peak operational hours.
-
Education: Instructors may prefer printing handouts or assignments directly via CMD, streamlining the process.
-
Development: Developers can incorporate print commands in scripts to produce reports directly from logs or processed outputs.
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Alternatives to the CMD Print Command
Other Command Line Interactions
While the cmd print command is useful, there are other command-line alternatives, such as PowerShell commands. PowerShell provides more extensive functionalities for printing, including access to printer-related cmdlets that allow for more complex interactions.
GUI Alternatives
Although CMD provides a powerful way to print files, using graphical user interfaces (GUIs) is also a common practice. Tools such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat allow users to print files more visually. However, using CMD can streamline your workflow when dealing with multiple print tasks in batch formats.
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Conclusion
In summary, the cmd print command is a powerful tool for managing print jobs directly from the Command Prompt. By mastering its syntax, parameters, and troubleshooting methods, you can enhance your productivity, particularly in environments requiring frequent and automated printing tasks. Practice using this command, and you’ll find it increasingly useful for your printing needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
Can I print non-text files using the cmd print command?
- The cmd print command primarily supports plain text (.txt) files. For other file types, you may need to use a different method or application.
-
What if my network printer isn’t recognized by CMD?
- Ensure that you are connected to the same network as the printer and that its name is spelled correctly in the command.
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Additional Resources
For those looking to deepen their understanding of the cmd print command and other CMD commands, consider exploring official Microsoft documentation, online courses, or community forums dedicated to CMD expertise.
Overview
The PRINT
command in Windows CMD is used to print a text file to a printer connected to your computer. Essentially, it sends the text content of specified files directly to the default printer. This command is most effectively used in simple scripting tasks where automated printing of documents is needed, like batch printing text files in a business environment.
Syntax
The basic syntax for the PRINT
command is:
PRINT [/D:device] <filename> [<filename2> ...]
/D:device
: Specifies the print device. If not provided, the command prints to the default printer.<filename>
: The name of the file you want to print. Multiple filenames can be specified to print several files at once.
Options/Flags
- /D:device: This flag is used to define a specific printer device. The device name should be the name that is recognized by the system, for example,
/D:LPT1
or/D:\\server\printername
. If omitted, thePRINT
command will send the document to the default system printer.
Examples
-
Basic Printing
Print a single file to the default printer:PRINT example.txt
-
Printing Multiple Files
Print multiple text files simultaneously:PRINT doc1.txt doc2.txt doc3.txt
-
Specifying a Printer
Print a file to a printer connected on LPT1:PRINT /D:LPT1 invoice.txt
Common Issues
- Printer Not Recognized: This issue can occur if the specified device is not correctly named or not configured properly. Ensure that the printer device name matches exactly with what is configured in Windows.
- File Not Found: The
PRINT
command will fail if it cannot locate the file specified. Ensure that the file paths are correct and accessible to the user running the command.
Integration
The PRINT
command can be combined with other commands for more complex tasks. For example, to print all .txt
files in a directory:
FOR %G IN (*.txt) DO PRINT %G
This script uses the FOR
command to iterate through all .txt
files in the current directory and prints each using the PRINT
command.
- COPY: Can be used to send files to a printer device by copying a file directly to a printer’s device interface.
- TYPE: This command can display the contents of a text file, which can be piped into
PRINT
for printing.
For more details on using the PRINT
command, consult the official Microsoft documentation.
By understanding and utilizing these components, users can effectively manage printing tasks directly from the command line interface in Windows.
Print from the line commands It is a useful option when looking to automate processes or work in environments without a graphical interface. Both DCM , the PowerShell en Windows They offer specific tools and commands to send documents to the printer and manage print jobs without having to open additional applications.
In this article, we will explore different ways to print from CMD and PowerShell, looking at commands like PRINT in CMD and Out-Printer in PowerShell. We’ll also explain how to manage network printers and how to deploy a print server using PowerShell.
How to print from CMD in Windows
CMD offers a native command called PRINT to send text files to the printer. It’s a quick and easy solution for printing basic documents without having to open additional programs.
Using the PRINT command
The command PRINT Allows you to send a text file to a specific or default printer. Its basic syntax is:
PRINT [/D:dispositivo] [unidad:][ruta]archivo
- /D:device: Specifies the destination printer.
- [drive:][path]file: Indicates the file you want to print.
For example, to print a document called document.txt on the default printer:
PRINT C:\documento.txt
If you want to print to a specific network printer connected with the IP address 192.168.1.100, you can use:
PRINT /D:\\192.168.1.100 C:\documento.txt
Printing using the LPR command
In advanced versions of Windows, you can also use the command LPR To print files to network printers:
lpr -S 192.168.1.100 -P nombre_impresora archivo.txt
Here, -S indicates the IP of the print server and -P the name of the printer configured on the network.
How to print from PowerShell
PowerShell offers more control over printing than CMD. It allows you to print files, manage print queues, and manage print servers.
Printing with the Out-Printer cmdlet
The cmdlet Out-Printer sends the output of a command or file to a printer. Its basic syntax is:
Get-Content C:\documento.txt | Out-Printer
If you want to use a specific printer on the network:
Get-Content C:\documento.txt | Out-Printer -Name "\\Servidor01\Impresora"
Print images from PowerShell
To print images from PowerShell, you can use Microsoft Paint with the following command:
mspaint /pt C:\imagen.png
If you want to print to a specific printer:
mspaint /pt C:\imagen.png "Nombre de impresora"
Advanced printer management with PowerShell
PowerShell also allows for advanced printer management, from installing drivers to configuring print servers.
Install the Print Server Role
To install the print role on a Windows server:
Install-WindowsFeature -Name Print-Server
After installation, it is recommended to restart the server:
Restart-Computer
Add a printer to a server
To add a printer to a server, a series of steps must be followed:
- Check the installed drivers:
Get-PrinterDriver
- Add the driver if not available:
Add-PrinterDriver -Name "HP Universal Printing PCL 6"
- Configure a printer port:
Add-PrinterPort -Name "10.1.1.123" -PrinterHostAddress "10.1.1.123"
- Create the shared print queue:
Add-Printer -Name "HP Universal" -DriverName "HP Universal Printing PCL 6" -Shared -ShareName "HP Universal" -PortName "10.1.1.123" -Published
These steps allow for the complete configuration of a printer on a Windows server so that it is available on the network.
For more information on how to delete the print queue, you can refer to this article on Print queue management in Windows 10.
Delete a printer
If you need to remove an installed printer, you can do so by:
Remove-Printer -Name "HP Universal"
Printing Automation in PowerShell
PowerShell allows you to automate certain printing processes through scripting. A simple example of scheduled file printing would be:
$archivos = Get-ChildItem C:\Documentos\*.txt foreach ($archivo in $archivos) { Get-Content $archivo.FullName | Out-Printer }
This will print all text files in the specified folder.
The ability to print directly from DCM o PowerShell offers an efficient alternative for document management on Windows systems. While DCM is suitable for simple tasks, PowerShell It provides greater control and flexibility, allowing you to manage printers, print servers, and even implement automated tasks. Knowing these methods, any user or IT administrator can optimize printing processes in your work environment.
If you are interested in learning more about other advanced Internet features that can complement your use of PowerShell, you can review this article on advanced internet options.
Related article:
How to Clear the Print Queue in Windows
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- SS64
- CMD
- How-to
PRINT.exe
Print a file or files to a local or network printer.
Syntax PRINT [/D:device] [pathname(s)] Key device Either a local printer (LPTx, COMx ) or a network printer by its sharename (\\servername\print_share) pathname The file or files to be printed.
The default device is PRN. The values PRN and LPT1 refer to the same parallel port.
The PRINT command is most often used in conjunction with an LPR print queue — sending plain ASCII text.
All recent versions of Windows have automatic default printer management enabled by default. This can be enabled or disabled via policy:
‘User Configuration ➞ Policies ➞ Administrative Templates ➞ Control Panel ➞ Printers’: ‘Turn off Windows default printer management’.
When printing to file, the destination file must not already exist.
PRINT will add a FormFeed character (ASCII 12) to the end of each print job.
Examples
Delete a print job:
Use Control Panel ➞ Printers (GUI) or use
NET PRINT job# /DELETEIt is possible to delete the spool .spl and .shd files from %SystemRoot%\system32\spool\PRINTERS but this should be a last resort — stop the spooler service before deleting any files.
Status Messages
Many modern laser printers have a status display panel, the ‘Ready’ message can be changed using HP Job Language (PCL/PJL) like this:
Echo @PJL RDYMSG DISPLAY =»Ready Message» >\\server\printQ
e.g.
Echo @PJL RDYMSG DISPLAY =»Ready Printer64″ >\\printserv1\printer64It’s not essential to include the word «Ready» in the ready message, but
the status display has 16 characters, which is usually enough space
for «Ready» plus the printer Name/Number.
e.g. «Ready Printer123», «Ready Prn1234567», «Ready #123-45678» etcNote that when a printer error or jam occurs the status message will change, so adding a printer identifier to the status display does not replace the need for a physical label. It can still be very useful when the physical
label is wrong or missing.
Printing requires the Spooler service to be running.
“Without books the development of civilization would have been impossible. They are the engines of change, windows on the world, ‘Lighthouses’ as the poet said ‘erected in the sea of time’. They are companions, teachers, magicians, bankers of the treasures of the mind, Books are humanity in print” ~ Arthur Schopenhauer
Related commands
Print to File — Configure a printer to always print to a file.
NET PRINT — View and Delete print jobs.
NET VIEW — List all printer share names for a print server.
Defptr — Default Printer. (Win 2K ResKit)
PRNCNFG — Display, configure or rename a printer.
PRINTBRM — Print queue Backup/Recovery.
WMIC PRINTER — Set printing options through WMI.
Q234270 — Group Policies to Control Printers.
HP PCL 5 Printer Language Technical Reference Manual — Full PCL Manual.
Resource Kit: prncnfg.vbs, prndrvr.vbs, prnjobs.vbs, prnmngr.vbs, prnport.vbs, prnqctl.vbs, pubprn.vbs
Equivalent PowerShell: Out-Printer — Send the output to a printer (lp).
Equivalent bash command (Linux): printf — Format and print data.
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on January 1, 2009
We can read a text file from command line using type
command. This command is similar to cat
command on Linux.
Example: Let us print the contents of the file c:\boot.ini
C:\>type c:\boot.ini [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition"
If the file is very huge, we can use more
command to read the data one page at a time. This more command is pretty much similar to the Linux more
command.
Syntax of the command is:
more filename
This command prints one page text on the console and waits for the user to press Enter before it shows the next page.
The above explained commands work in Windows 7, Windows 10 and all Server editions