How do you print from the command line? I want to use a batch file to print a small text file but cannot find the correct syntax. If I use the PRINT command with no parameters other than the file name, I get the error “Unable to initialize device PRN”. Using the command “Print /d:”brother hl-5050″ filename”, I get the error “Unable to initialize device brother hl-5050”. Brother hl-5050 is my default printer. All my printers are USB printers.
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Printing from a command window (SP1)
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Windows » Windows Vista, XP and earlier » Questions: Vista, XP back to 3.1 » Printing from a command window (SP1)
- This topic has 16 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 20 years, 9 months ago.
AuthorTopicWSasimpkins
AskWoody LoungerAugust 11, 2004 at 6:38 pm #408511Viewing 3 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
WSjscher2000
AskWoody LoungerAugust 11, 2004 at 6:54 pm #863047If the file is in a format that the printer can process directly, you can use the COPY command to copy the file to the PRN device. Take a look at post 368545 and this thread for more info.
-
WSasimpkins
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 2:48 pm #863475The file is a text file but that doesn’t work. As I said in my first post, I get the error “Unable to initialize device PRN”. All my printers are USB printers and there is no PRN device. Device Manager does not show any printers. See attached screenshot. It looks as if the command window does not recognize USB devices.
-
WSasimpkins
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 2:48 pm #863476The file is a text file but that doesn’t work. As I said in my first post, I get the error “Unable to initialize device PRN”. All my printers are USB printers and there is no PRN device. Device Manager does not show any printers. See attached screenshot. It looks as if the command window does not recognize USB devices.
-
WSLeif
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 3:02 pm #863487Microsoft don’t seem much help:
MSKB 259939 – Unable to Print from Command Prompt or MS-DOS Program with USB Printer…but it looks like John Savill to the rescue:
How can I print to a USB printer from the command prompt? -
WSLeif
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 3:02 pm #863488Microsoft don’t seem much help:
MSKB 259939 – Unable to Print from Command Prompt or MS-DOS Program with USB Printer…but it looks like John Savill to the rescue:
How can I print to a USB printer from the command prompt?
-
-
-
WSjscher2000
AskWoody LoungerAugust 11, 2004 at 6:54 pm #863048If the file is in a format that the printer can process directly, you can use the COPY command to copy the file to the PRN device. Take a look at post 368545 and this thread for more info.
-
WSJohnGray
AskWoody Lounger -
WSasimpkins
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 4:14 pm #863535I tried the NET USE command in the following batch file:
[indent]
@echo off
dir>dirlist.txt
net use lpt2 andrew15brother1 /yes
copy dirlist.txt lpt2
del dirlist.txt
net use lpt2 /delete
[/indent]
It works except that for some reason it doesn’t generate a form-feed. I have to go to the printer and press the continue button to eject the page. -
WSJohnGray
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 4:32 pm #863537Andrew
I have no idea what your “/YES” parameter does, unless you left off the PERSISTENT: bit! (usually abbreviated as /p:y). You don’t need it anyway in your BATch file.
Form Feeds never used to be generated when printing in DOS* – you either had to put an 0x0c FormFeed character at the end of your text, or send the 0x0c character to the printer after your text file. I used a binary editor to set up a file called FF which simply had this character as the only data, and did COPY FF PRN. All that just to save pressing a printer button!
An easier BATch file could be
@echo off
net use lpt2 andrew15brother1
dir > lpt2
copy FF lpt2 > nul
net use lpt2 /dPersonally I always use LPT1 or PRN (same animal), but LPT2 is fine!
John
* unless you used the actual PRINT command, which did cause a Form Feed!
PS sorry about heavy editing — it’s been a long time…
-
WSasimpkins
AskWoody LoungerAugust 16, 2004 at 12:57 pm #864974John,
Thanks for the info. Sorry for the slow response but I’ve been away for a few days. I got the “/yes” parameter from the link Leif included in his post (http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/39674/39674.html%5B/url%5D). I’m not clear how you create a file with the FF character in it. I don’t have a hex editor. Could you post or email me a copy? Thanks,
-
WSJohnGray
AskWoody Lounger -
WSJohnGray
AskWoody Lounger
-
-
WSasimpkins
AskWoody LoungerAugust 16, 2004 at 12:57 pm #864975John,
Thanks for the info. Sorry for the slow response but I’ve been away for a few days. I got the “/yes” parameter from the link Leif included in his post (http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/39674/39674.html%5B/url%5D). I’m not clear how you create a file with the FF character in it. I don’t have a hex editor. Could you post or email me a copy? Thanks,
-
-
WSJohnGray
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 4:32 pm #863538Andrew
I have no idea what your “/YES” parameter does, unless you left off the PERSISTENT: bit! (usually abbreviated as /p:y). You don’t need it anyway in your BATch file.
Form Feeds never used to be generated when printing in DOS* – you either had to put an 0x0c FormFeed character at the end of your text, or send the 0x0c character to the printer after your text file. I used a binary editor to set up a file called FF which simply had this character as the only data, and did COPY FF PRN. All that just to save pressing a printer button!
An easier BATch file could be
@echo off
net use lpt2 andrew15brother1
dir > lpt2
copy FF lpt2 > nul
net use lpt2 /dPersonally I always use LPT1 or PRN (same animal), but LPT2 is fine!
John
* unless you used the actual PRINT command, which did cause a Form Feed!
PS sorry about heavy editing — it’s been a long time…
-
-
WSasimpkins
AskWoody LoungerAugust 12, 2004 at 4:14 pm #863536I tried the NET USE command in the following batch file:
[indent]
@echo off
dir>dirlist.txt
net use lpt2 andrew15brother1 /yes
copy dirlist.txt lpt2
del dirlist.txt
net use lpt2 /delete
[/indent]
It works except that for some reason it doesn’t generate a form-feed. I have to go to the printer and press the continue button to eject the page.
-
-
WSJohnGray
AskWoody Lounger
Viewing 3 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Set default size for pasted photo to word
by
Cyn
1 hour, 23 minutes ago -
Dedoimedo tries 24H2…
by
Cybertooth
2 hours, 42 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27871 released to Canary
by
joep517
1 day ago -
Windows 11 ad from Campaign Manager in Windows 10
by
Jim McKenna
21 hours, 41 minutes ago -
Small desktops
by
Susan Bradley
1 hour ago -
Totally disable Bitlocker
by
CWBillow
22 hours, 43 minutes ago -
Phishers extract Millions from HMRC accounts..
by
Microfix
21 hours, 58 minutes ago -
Windows 10 22H2 Update today (5 June) says up-to-date but last was 2025-04
by
Alan_uk
2 days, 4 hours ago -
Thoughts on Malwarebytes Scam Guard for Mobile?
by
opti1
5 hours, 11 minutes ago -
Mystical Desktop
by
CWBillow
2 days, 7 hours ago -
Meta and Yandex secretly tracked billions of Android users
by
Alex5723
1 day, 12 hours ago -
MS-DEFCON 2: Do you need that update?
by
Susan Bradley
4 hours, 52 minutes ago -
CD/DVD drive is no longer recognized
by
WSCape Sand
2 days, 22 hours ago -
Windows 11 24H2 Default Apps stuck on Edge and Adobe Photoshop
by
MikeBravo
3 days, 1 hour ago -
North Face and Cartier customer data stolen in cyber attacks
by
Alex5723
2 days, 23 hours ago -
What is wrong with simple approach?
by
WSSpoke36
21 hours, 49 minutes ago -
Microsoft-Backed Builder.ai Set for Bankruptcy After Cash Seized
by
Alex5723
3 days, 11 hours ago -
Location, location, location
by
Susan Bradley
2 days, 1 hour ago -
Cannot get a task to run a restore point
by
CWBillow
3 days, 12 hours ago -
Frustrating search behavior with Outlook
by
MrJimPhelps
3 days, 3 hours ago -
June 2025 Office non-Security Updates
by
PKCano
3 days, 23 hours ago -
Secure Boot Update Fails after KB5058405 Installed
by
SteveIT
2 days, 1 hour ago -
Firefox Red Panda Fun Stuff
by
Lars220
3 days, 23 hours ago -
How start headers and page numbers on page 3?
by
Davidhs
4 days, 9 hours ago -
Attack on LexisNexis Risk Solutions exposes data on 300k +
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
3 days, 12 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26200.5622 released to DEV
by
joep517
4 days, 18 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.4230 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
4 days, 18 hours ago -
MS Excel 2019 Now Prompts to Back Up With OneDrive
by
lmacri
4 days, 8 hours ago -
Firefox 139
by
Charlie
4 days ago -
Who knows what?
by
Will Fastie
3 days, 3 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.