How to move the Spool folder in Windows XP

This article describes how to change the location of the Windows XP spool folder.

The spool folder is the area on the hard disk that Windows uses to store print jobs as they are being printed. This allows Windows to quickly return control to a program after a document is printed. By default, Windows stores this file on the same partition as the Windows system files. You can increase the performance of Windows, and increase free space on this partition, by moving this folder to a different partition.

How to move the Windows XP Spool folder

1. Log on to the computer as Administrator.
2. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
3. Open the driver or folder in which you want to store the spool folder.
4. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Make a new folder. In the Name box, type the name that you want.
5. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
6. On the File menu, click Server Properties.
7. Click the Advanced tab.
8. In the Spool folder box, type the complete path to the new folder that you created.
9. Click Apply. The following message appears:
   The changes to the spool folder will occur immediately and any currently active documents will not print. It is recommended to allow all documents to complete printing before changing the spool folder. Are you sure you want to change the spool folder?
   Ensure that all documents have finished being printed, and then click Yes.
   
   
10. Click OK, and then close the Printers and Faxes folder.

For additional information about moving temporary storage files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: