How to print from CMD or PowerShell easily

Printing from the command line is a useful option when you want to automate processes or work in environments without a graphical interface. Both CMD and PowerShell in Windows offer specific tools and commands for sending documents to the printer and managing print jobs without needing to open additional applications.

In this article, we'll explore different ways to print from CMD and PowerShell, analyzing commands like PRINT in CMD and Out-Printer in PowerShell. We'll also explain how to manage network printers and how to deploy a print server using PowerShell.

How to print from CMD in Windows

CMD offers a built-in command called PRINT for sending text files to the printer. It's a simple and quick solution for printing basic documents without needing to open any additional programs.

Using the PRINT command

The PRINT command allows you to send a text file to a specific printer or the default printer. Its basic syntax is:

PRINT [/D:dispositivo] [unidad:][ruta]archivo

• /D:device: Specifies the destination printer.
• [drive:][path]file: Indicates the file you want to print.

For example, to print a document called document.txt on the default printer:

PRINT C:\documento.txt

If you wish to print to a specific network-connected printer with the IP address 192.168.1.100 , you can use:

PRINT /D:\\192.168.1.100 C:\documento.txt

Printing using the LPR command

In advanced versions of Windows, the LPR command can also be used to print files to network printers:

lpr -S 192.168.1.100 -P nombre_impresora archivo.txt

Here, -S indicates the IP address of the print server and -P the name of the printer configured on the network.

How to print from PowerShell

PowerShell offers more control over printing than CMD. It allows you to print files, manage print queues, and manage print servers.

Printing with the Out-Printer cmdlet

The Out-Printer cmdlet sends the output of a command or file to a printer. Its basic syntax is:

Get-Content C:\documento.txt | Out-Printer

If you want to use a specific printer on the network:

Get-Content C:\documento.txt | Out-Printer -Name "\\Servidor01\Impresora"

Print images from PowerShell

To print images from PowerShell, you can use Microsoft Paint with the following command:

mspaint /pt C:\imagen.png

If you want to print to a specific printer:

mspaint /pt C:\imagen.png "Nombre de impresora"

Advanced printer management with PowerShell

PowerShell also allows for advanced printer management, from installing drivers to configuring print servers.

Install the Print Server Role

To install the print role on a Windows server:

Install-WindowsFeature -Name Print-Server

After installation, it is recommended to restart the server:

Restart-Computer

Add a printer to a server

To add a printer to a server, a series of steps must be followed:

1. Check the installed drivers:

   Get-PrinterDriver

2. Add the driver if not available:

   Add-PrinterDriver -Name "HP Universal Printing PCL 6"

3. Configure a printer port:

   Add-PrinterPort -Name "10.1.1.123" -PrinterHostAddress "10.1.1.123"

4. Create the shared print queue:

   Add-Printer -Name "HP Universal" -DriverName "HP Universal Printing PCL 6" -Shared -ShareName "HP Universal" -PortName "10.1.1.123" -Published

These steps allow for the complete configuration of a printer on a Windows server so that it is available on the network.

For more information on how to clear the print queue, you can refer to this article on managing the print queue in Windows 10.

Delete a printer

If you need to remove an installed printer, you can do so by:

Remove-Printer -Name "HP Universal"

Printing Automation in PowerShell

PowerShell allows you to automate certain printing processes through scripting. A simple example of scheduled file printing would be:

$archivos = Get-ChildItem C:\Documentos\*.txt foreach ($archivo in $archivos) { Get-Content $archivo.FullName | Out-Printer }

This will print all text files in the specified folder.

The ability to print directly from CMD or PowerShell offers an efficient alternative for document management on Windows systems. While CMD is suitable for simple tasks, PowerShell provides greater control and flexibility, allowing you to manage printers, print servers, and even implement automated tasks. By understanding these methods, any user or IT administrator can optimize printing processes in their work environment.

If you're interested in learning more about other advanced internet features that can complement your use of PowerShell, you can check out this article on advanced internet options.