-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 U2Z8wHhC5HCXbRbJig92pWWDyIp3FjyqZ8DuZyHxH7VVr7Qq9QSqSx4CS6RPG3hd
 l/1avlwWoZRkAXdKPFReUA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000319201-06-000077.txt : 20061018
<SEC-HEADER>0000319201-06-000077.hdr.sgml : 20061018
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061018190453
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000319201-06-000077
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061016
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061018
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061018

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KLA TENCOR CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000319201
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS & LENSES [3827]
		IRS NUMBER:				042564110
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		160 RIO ROBLES
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4084344200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		160 RIO ROBLES
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95161-9055

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KLA INSTRUMENTS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEVY KENNETH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186087

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-09992
		FILM NUMBER:		061151781

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		KLA TENCOR
		STREET 2:		160 RIO RABLES
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4088753000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-10-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000319201</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KLA TENCOR CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>klac</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186087</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEVY KENNETH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KLA-TENCOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>160 RIO ROBLES</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95134</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman of the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>In connection with his retirement, Mr. Levy resigned as a director, officer and employee of the company, effective October 16, 2006.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kenneth Levy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-10-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----