DOCUMENT:Q264662 27-SEP-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Leftover SPL, SHD, and TMP Files Remain in the Spool Directory A PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : :4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.