How to Stop Print Spooler in Vista

Print Spooler service is used by Windows Vista to temporarily hold documents before printing them. When you click on the print button in software like Microsoft Word to print a document, it is sent to the Print Spooler where a printer can access it. By stopping the Print Spooler on your computer, you will stop printing whatever is in the queue and be unable to print anything else until you reset it.

Instructions

Stop Print Spooler from the System Configuration

1. Go to "Start," type "msconfig" in the search box and then press "Enter."

2. Click on the "Services" tab in the "System Configuration" dialog box.

3. Uncheck the checkbox for "Print Spooler" below "Service."

4. Click on "Apply" and then click on "OK."

5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Stop Print Spooler from the Control Panel

1. Go to "Start" and click on "Control Panel."

2. Click on "System and Maintenance" and then click on "Administrative Tools."

3. Double-click on "Services" and then click on "Continue" in the "User Account Control" window.

4. Click on "Print Spooler" and then click on "Stop."

Stop Print Spooler from the Command Prompt

1. Log in as an administrator on your computer.

2. Go to "Start," type "cmd" in the search box and then press "Enter."

3. Type "net stop spooler" at the command prompt.

4. Close the command prompt and then restart your computer.

References

• "Microsoft Windows Vista Inside Out;" Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, and Craig Stinson; 2007

Resources

• Windows Vista Print Management Guide