Clear print jobs from the completed list in OSX 10.5

OSX CUPS printer iconIf you've ever opened the individual printer application that launches when you print a job, you've no doubt noticed there is a Completed Jobs tab which will show you a list of documents you've printed in the past. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to delete all those print jobs directly from the list. Instead, you must use CUPS (Common Unix Printing System).

In your Web browser of choice, go to to http://127.0.0.1:631/printers/ . This will take you to a configuration page which lists all the printers you have set up on your Mac. Now click the "Cancel All Jobs" button that appears under the printer whose current and completed jobs you'd like to remove.

If you would like to prevent all future print jobs from being stored in this completed jobs list, open your Terminal application in the Utilities folder and enter the following, followed by hitting the Enter key:

cupsctl PreserveJobHistory=No

You can change it back by re-entering the code and changing "No" to "Yes" at any time.

In addition to deleting past print jobs, the CUPS configuration page allows you to configure some settings on your printer such as resolution, color and quality settings, paper settings and defaults, etc. Obviously what you can configure depends on what features the printer has.




CUPS login?

When I attempt to delete the jobs on the printer via this CUPS interface, it gives me an HTTP login prompt for the CUPS area. My admin un/pw combo for the OS X system does not work.

Any tips?





You shouldn't need one

Not sure why it's asking for one





CUPS login?

Odd. Yeah, even on the home page of (drop the /printers from the URL) it's says:

"If you are asked for a username and password, enter your login username and password or the "root" username and password."



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