Keeping track of your printing activity can be useful for troubleshooting, auditing, or simply managing resources. Windows 11 allows users to check print history, though it requires enabling the feature first. This guide will show you how to view print history in Windows 11 step by step.

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Step 1: Enable Print History (If Not Already Enabled)

By default, Windows 11 does not log print jobs. You need to enable it first.

Steps:

1. Press Win + S and type Control Panel, then open it.

2. Navigate to Devices and Printers.

3. Right-click your printer → Printer properties.

4. Go to the Advanced tab.

5. Check the box Keep printed documents.

6. Click Apply → OK.

✅ Tip: This ensures that Windows stores a record of every print job.

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Step 2: Open the Print Queue

The print queue shows active and recently completed jobs for a printer.

Steps:

1. Press Win + S, type Printers & scanners, and open it.

2. Select your printer → click Open queue.

3. Here, you can see all current and pending print jobs.

⚠️ Note: Only jobs printed while “Keep printed documents” is enabled will appear here.

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Step 3: View Print History in Event Viewer

For a comprehensive record of past print jobs, use Event Viewer.

Steps:

1. Press Win + S, type Event Viewer, and open it.

2. In the left panel, navigate to:
   Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → PrintService → Operational

3. If the Operational log is not enabled:

   • Right-click Operational → Enable Log.

4. You can now see all print jobs, including:

   • Document name

   • Printer used

   • User who printed

   • Date and time

Tip: Right-click the log → Filter Current Log to find specific print jobs faster.

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Step 4: Clear Print History (Optional)

If you want to remove old print jobs:

1. Open Print Queue → select jobs → right-click → Cancel.

2. Or in Event Viewer → right-click Operational → Clear Log.

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the log permanently deletes history records.

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Step 5: Third-Party Tools (Optional)

For businesses or heavy users, third-party tools can simplify print tracking:

• PaperCut – Tracks all printer activity across a network.

• Print Manager Plus – Offers detailed reports and auditing.

• PrinterGuard – Monitors and logs print jobs automatically.

These tools can generate printable reports and allow historical analysis.

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Final Thoughts

Checking print history in Windows 11 is straightforward once you enable “Keep printed documents” and know where to look. For occasional users, the Print Queue may be enough. For detailed records, Event Viewer or third-party software is the way to go.

Keeping print history helps track usage, troubleshoot printer issues, and manage office resources effectively.

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