https://community.spiceworks.com/t/create-a-black-hole-or-toilet-printer-nul-printer/1009264
came across something I never expected to need to do. I needed to create a printer that wouldn’t print. So here is how I did it.
Step 1: Create a New Printer
Go into devices and printers and create a new local printer.
Step 2: Create a New Port
Create a new Local Port.
For the Port name enter “nul” without the quotes
Step 3: Select a Printer Driver
Then choose your printer driver. Since this printer won’t print anything you can use any pre-installed printer and driver.
I used a Lexmark printer that was already installed on my system
Step 4: Name the Printer
Use a descriptive name like “The Black Hole” or “The Toilet”
don’t share the printer (unless you want to)
Step 5: Printing to this printer
Now you will have a normal looking printer that will act like any other printer with one difference.
Because it has a nul port it will simply flush the print jobs from the queue and report that it successfully printed to the software sending the job without ever physically printing a page.
Perfect
This is a simple solution to what was a large problem in my current environment (due to a software restriction). I hope it helps someone else also
Setting Up a Windows Nul Port
The Windows nul port (“nul” with a single letter ‘L’) is easily attached to a Windows print queue:
- Bring up the Printer Properties for the print queue in question.
- Select the Ports tab > then click Add Port….
- Choose Local Port > click on New Port… > enter
nulas the port name. - Click OK > then Close > then Apply, and you’re done!
For example:
-
On newer Windows versions: head into Bluetooth and devices → Printers and scanners → [select your printer] → Printer Properties → Ports → Add Port… → Local Port → New Port… → enter
nul→ OK → Close → Apply -
On older Windows versions: head into Devices and Printers → Right-click Printer → Printer Properties → Ports → Add Port… → Local Port → New Port… → enter
nul→ OK → Close → Apply