Print

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Sends a text file to a printer.

Syntax

print [/d:Printer] [Drive:][Path] FileName [...]

Parameters
  • /d: Printer
    Specifies the printer on which you want to print the job. You can specify a local printer by specifying the port on your computer to which the printer is connected. Valid values for parallel ports are LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3. Valid values for serial ports are COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. You can also specify a network printer by its queue name (\\ServerName\ShareName). If you do not specify a printer, the print job is sent to LPT1.
  • Drive :
    Specifies the logical or physical drive on which the file you want to print is located. This parameter is not required if the file you want to print is located on the current drive.
  • Path
    Specifies where, on the drive, the file you want to print is located. This parameter is not required if the file you want to print is located in the current directory.
  • FileName[...]
    Required. Specifies, by name, the file you want to print. You can include multiple files in one command.
  • /?
    Displays help at the command prompt.
Remarks
  • A file can print in the background if you send it to a printer connected to a serial or parallel port on the local computer.

  • Many programs have their own print commands. You should use the print command for a program to print files that you create with that program.

  • You can perform many configuration tasks from the command line by using the mode command. For more information about configuring a printer connected to a parallel port, configuring a printer connected to a serial port, displaying the status of a printer, or preparing a printer for code page switching, see mode in Related Topics.

Examples

To send the file Report.txt in the current directory to a printer connected to LPT2 on the local computer, type:

print /d:LPT2 report.txt

To send the file Report.txt in the c:\Accounting directory to the Printer1 print queue on the \\CopyRoom server, type:

print /d:\\copyroom\printer1 c:\accounting\report.txt

Formatting legend

Format Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Ellipsis (...)

Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line

Between brackets ([])

Optional items

Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd}

Set of choices from which the user must choose only one

Courier font

Code or program output

See Also

Concepts

Command-line reference A-Z
Command shell overview
Mode