Print Spooler Service Defaults in Windows XP

Loads files to memory for later printing.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Print Spooler
Service name:Spooler
Service type:interact
Error control:normal
Group:SpoolerGroup
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\spoolsv.exe
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler

Default Behavior

Print Spooler is an interactive service. In Windows XP it is starting automatically along with the operating system. If the Print Spooler fails to start, the technical information about the error is added to the Event Log. Windows XP startup should proceed, but a message box should be displayed informing the user that the Spooler service has failed to start.

Dependencies

Print Spooler depends on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Print Spooler

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Print Spooler depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt.

2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config Spooler start= auto
sc start Spooler

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The Spooler service is using the spoolsv.exe file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows XP installation media.