TMP files are not deleted from the spool folder after print is done

Uday Y 5 Reputation points
2023-03-14T06:24:52.2066667+00:00

We assume PrintFilterPipelineSVC is creating the TMP files in the spool folder and not getting deleted after print is done.

Windows Server Printing
Windows Server Printing
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Printing: Printer centralized deployment and management, scan and fax resources management, and document services
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  1. Limitless Technology 26,711 Reputation points
    2023-03-14T14:41:42.6366667+00:00

    Hello there,

    You can use this console command:

    taskkill.exe /f /im printfilterpipelinesvc.exe

    To restart the process you run this command:

    printfilterpipelinesvc.exe

    And see if it helps,

    Thank you

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--


  2. Alan Morris 1,026 Reputation points
    2023-03-14T14:57:57.35+00:00

    Printfilterpipelinesvc.exe will create pp{longGUID}.tmp in the spool folder. Yes, sometimes they are not cleaned up but we never fully tracked down why. Are they filling up all disk space? Are they not deleting when you delete the files?


  3. Alan Morris 1,026 Reputation points
    2023-03-16T17:20:46.6733333+00:00

    At this point, you can open a bug to MS but I am not holding my breath. A scheduled task to delete *.tmp from wherever the spool folder is. A couple other questions thought, is the print server a DC? Are you using C:\Windows\system32\spool\printers? Change that and see if that makes any difference


  4. Uday Y 5 Reputation points
    2023-03-24T05:28:57.3033333+00:00

    Hello @Kapil Arya

    Looking for support in deleting the TMP files automatically using printfilterpipeline or is there a way not to create these TMP files and print successfully.

    Please let me know if there's any possibility.

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  5. Alan Morris 1,026 Reputation points
    2023-03-25T16:22:33.53+00:00

    Hi, to change the spool directory open Print Management Console on the print server. Right click on the printer server name and select Properties. The spool folder can be changed in this UI. With a VM, I typically spin up vhd just for the spool folder. The spool folder can't be just a drive letter so I use d:\spool or c:\spool with a single disk. The configuration takes affect immediately but the spooler will actually track spool files in both locations until the service is restarted.