Disabling Print Spooler: Step-By-Step Guide

The print spooler is a critical component of the printing process in the Windows operating system. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient execution of print jobs. It manages the print queue, ensuring that each print job is executed in the proper order, and provides users with real-time information on the status of their print jobs.

Despite its importance, the print spooler can sometimes malfunction, causing errors and delays in printing. This can result in frustration and wasted time, especially in a busy office environment. To address these issues, users may choose to disable the print spooler temporarily, allowing them to diagnose and resolve any underlying problems.

This article will provide a step-by-step guide on disabling the print spooler in Windows using various methods. Whether encountering printing errors or simply looking to troubleshoot your printer, this guide will help you achieve your goal quickly and easily.

Why Disable Windows Print Spooler Service

There are several reasons why one might want to disable the print spooler. Some of these include:

• The print spooler service is not functioning correctly: The print spooler service is a crucial component of the printing process in Windows. When the print spooler service is not functioning correctly, it can cause various issues with print jobs, such as failing or getting stuck in the queue.
• To troubleshoot and fix print spooler-related issues: If the print spooler service is not functioning correctly, it’s important to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. By disabling the print spooler, users can take the time to diagnose and fix any underlying problems without worrying about new print jobs being executed.
• To temporarily prevent any print jobs from being executed while changing the printer settings: In some cases, users may need to change the printer settings, such as installing a new printer driver or configuring a new network connection. Disabling the print spooler service can prevent any print jobs from being executed. At the same time, these changes are being made, allowing users to focus on their work without being disrupted by printing errors.

Disabling Print Spooler Service in Windows 10/11

To disable the print spooler in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.

3. Browse the options until you find “Print Spooler” service >> right-click on it.

4. Select “Stop” from the context menu.

5. On the list of services, right-click on the “Print Spooler” >> choose “Properties.”

6. Under the “General” tab, change the “Startup type” to “Disabled.”

7. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”

Disabling Print Spooler Service in Windows 7

To disable the print spooler in Windows 7, follow these steps:

1. Click on Start >> on the search bar, and enter “Services”.

2. Click on “Services” from the search results.

3. Browse and select the “Print Spooler” service from the options and right-click on it.

4. Select “Stop” from the context menu.

5. Repeat step 3. Do not select Stop; instead, select “Properties”.

6. Under the “General” tab, change the “Startup type” to “Disabled.”

7. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”

5 Ways to Disable Print Spooler

Disable Print Spooler Service From Windows’ Panel of Services

To disable the Print Spooler service from running automatically, especially when using word processors or similar applications, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Services panel by typing “services.msc” in the Run dialog box (press Windows + R and enter the command).

2. In the Services panel, locate the Print Spooler service and double-click on it.

3. In the Print Spooler Properties window, change the Startup Type to “Disabled” from the drop-down menu.

4. Stop the service by clicking the “Stop” button and confirm the changes by clicking “Ok.”

5. Close the Services panel window.

Disable Print Spooler Service via Command Prompt

To disable the Print Spooler service using the Command Prompt in elevated/administrator mode, follow these steps:

1. Access the Run dialog by pressing Windows + R keys on your keyboard.

2. In the Run dialog, type “cmd” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch the Command Prompt in administrator mode.

3. In the Command Prompt window, type “net stop spooler,” and press Enter to disable the Print Spooler service.

4. You can now close the Command Prompt.

Disable Print Spooler Service via System Configuration

To disable the Print Spooler service using the System Configuration utility, follow these steps:

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows key + R.
2. In the Run dialog, type “msconfig” and press Enter to launch the System Configuration utility.
3. Go to the Services tab and locate the Print Spooler service in the System Configuration utility.
4. To disable the service, uncheck the box next to it and click the “Apply” button.

A reboot of your machine is required for the changes to take effect, so restart your computer.

5. Disable Print Spooler Service via PowerShell

To disable the Print Spooler service using PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) to launch the PowerShell in administrator mode.
2. In the PowerShell, execute the following commands:
3. Stop-Service -Name Spooler -Force
4. Set-Service -Name Spooler -StartupType Disabled
5. The first command stops the Print Spooler service if it’s currently running, and the second command disables the service so it won’t start automatically in the future.

Once the commands are executed, exit PowerShell. Disabling the Print Spooler service will prevent you from printing or faxing.

Enable Print Spooler

Simplify Your Printing Experience by Disabling Print Spooler

Once you have completed any necessary changes or troubleshooting, you may want to re-enable it to start the print spooler service on Windows again. To do this, follow the above steps, but change the “Startup type” to “Automatic.”

Disabling the print spooler can be useful for fixing printing issues or making temporary changes to your printer settings. Whether using Windows 10 or 7, the steps to disable and re-enable the print spooler are straightforward and easy to follow. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily manage the print spooler on your system.