How to Find Print Log History on PC

In this article, I will discuss how to locate and access the print log history on a PC.

Understanding Print History

To find the print log history on your PC, you can access the Event Viewer tool. First, open the Start menu and search for “Event Viewer.”

Click on the Event Viewer icon to open the application. Once the Event Viewer window is open, navigate to “Applications and Services Logs” on the left-hand side.

Expand the menu and look for “Microsoft,” then “Windows,” and finally “PrintService.” Here, you will find logs related to printer activity on your PC.

You can filter the logs by date, time, or specific event IDs to find the print history you are looking for. Each event will provide details such as the document printed, the user who printed it, and the time of printing.

By accessing the print log history on your PC, you can track printing activity, troubleshoot any issues, or monitor print jobs for confidentiality and security purposes.

Activating Printer History Features

To activate printer history features on your PC, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu and select Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, look for the Printers or Devices and Printers option and click on it.
3. Locate your printer in the list of devices and right-click on it to open the context menu.
4. From the context menu, select Properties or Printer Properties.
5. In the Properties window, navigate to the Logging or History tab.
6. Check the box next to Enable logging or Print job logging to activate the printer history feature.
7. You may have the option to specify the details you want to log, such as document names or printing timestamps.
8. Click Apply and then OK to save your settings.

Viewing Your Printed Documents Log

• Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in your taskbar or pressing Windows key + E
• Navigate to the directory where your printed documents are saved, usually in the Documents or Downloads folder
• Look for a file with the name “Print Log” or something similar, which should contain a record of your printing history
• Double-click on the file to open and view its contents

Managing and Deleting Print History

To manage and delete print history on your PC, you can access the Print Queue in the Control Panel. Simply navigate to the Control Panel and locate the Devices and Printers option. From there, find your printer and right-click on it to select “See what’s printing.”

Once in the Print Queue window, you can manage your print history by selecting the print jobs you want to delete and clicking on the “Cancel” button. To delete all print history, click on the “Printer” menu and choose “Cancel All Documents.”

If you want to prevent print history from being saved in the future, you can adjust the settings in the Control Panel. Go to Devices and Printers, right-click on your printer, and select “Printer Properties.” In the Properties window, navigate to the Advanced tab and uncheck the box next to “Keep printed documents.” This will prevent your print history from being saved.

FAQ

How do I find printer log on my computer?

To find printer logs on your computer, you can access the Event Viewer dashboard and navigate to Applications and Services Logs –> Microsoft –> Windows –> Print Service –> Operational. Double click on Operational to view all print events.

Does Windows have a print log?

Windows does have a print log called the Print Service Operational log, which displays events related to printing documents. It is off by default, but can be enabled and viewed through the Event Viewer on the affected Windows system.

Does a printer keep history of what is printed?

A printer does keep a history of what is printed, which can be accessed and cleared from the printer menu.