opening a prn file using windows

[rich1044]

I have recently received a few files from various people which are prn files.
Windows doesn't recognize them so they wont print. Am I missing something? or
do I need to download something to update windows? Can anyone help?

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

I have recently received a few files from various people which are prn
files.
Windows doesn't recognize them so they wont print. Am I missing something?
or
do I need to download something to update windows? Can anyone help?

Prn files are usually files with data that has been formatted for a specific
printer. You can view their contents by sending them directly to that
printer, e.g. with a command like this:

copy /b rich1044.prn LPT1:

If you do not have the same printer model as the sender then you should ask
him/her to send you the file in its original format, e.g. as a .doc or .xls
file.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "rich1044" <[email protected]>

| I have recently received a few files from various people which are prn files.
| Windows doesn't recognize them so they wont print. Am I missing something? or
| do I need to download something to update windows? Can anyone help?

As noted by Pegasus [MPV], .PRN files and printer outputs redirected to disk files.

If the creator used a HP Laser, the out may be a file in PCL (Printer Control Language)
formqat and such fils are NOT meant for a human to view but for a print to print.

If the sender wants you to VIEW the files, have them send the files in a human readable
format such as in; MS Excel, MS Word or PDF formats.

 

[Guest]

Many prn files are text files. Use notepad.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have recently received a few files from various people which are prn files.
Windows doesn't recognize them so they wont print. Am I missing something? or
do I need to download something to update windows? Can anyone help?

It's not Windows that doesn't recognize them, it's your *printer* that
doesn't recognize them. And no, you can't download anything or do
anything to fix the situation; it's the sender that needs to.

As a general rule, most prn files are useless to you. Each person who
sent you a pdf file created it on their computer using the printer
driver for the particular printer they have installed. If you have the
same printer installed, you can send the prn file to your printer, but
if your printer is a different one, it won't understand the prn file.

It's for that reason that prn files are not normally sent to others
(they could also install the driver for *your* printer on their
computer, but that's a nuisance and most people won't do that).

If you need to receive a file that you can print from other people,
ask the people to create and send you a pdf file, not a prn file.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

As a general rule, most prn files are useless to you. Each person who
sent you a pdf file created it on their computer using the printer
driver for the particular printer they have installed.

Slip of the pen - the OP would have no problem at all if it was a "pdf
file".

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Slip of the pen - the OP would have no problem at all if it was a "pdf
file".

How did you know I typed by hitting the keys with a pen? ;-)

You're correct, of course--my apologies to Rich, you, and anyone else
who read my error. That should have read "Each person who sent you a
*prn* file..."