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Error Winspool.DRV is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error.

Anonymous
2011-05-12T08:41:24+00:00

When I start my computer or try to perform some functions, I get an error message saying that C\Windows\System32\Winspool.DRV is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error.  I have Windows 7 Home Edition.  How do I fix this problem?

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-05-15T19:01:03+00:00

    Hello DaleCoffin,

    The Winspool.drv is a process belonging to Windows Printer Spooler. It is Windows operating system file that is normally found in the C:\windows\system folder.

    Somehow it seems your version of winspool is corrupt or not in the correct location.

    I suggest you run SFC /scannow to see if it finds and corrects any corrupt file. 

    Click Start

    Type: CMD, right click CMD

    Click “Run as Administrator”

    At the Command Prompt, type: sfc /scannow

    This will check for any integrity violations and fix any corrupted operating system files.

    Restart your system.

    KB Article ID: 929833 - How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

    Hope this helps.

    Marilyn

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-08-07T08:59:39+00:00

    Hi OlieTighe,

    Given that this thread is extremely old, I suggest that if you are having a similar problem you create a new thread for it by going here:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us

    I hope this clarifies the situation of the issue more clearly.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-08-06T16:32:25+00:00

    Hi,

    i have the same problem, i have tried your advise but i got the following message:

    Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix them"

    My laptop running windows vista.

    The message i get  everytime I turn on the computer or click cetain programs is: "This application has failed to start because WINSPOOL>DRV was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem"

    Please help.

    Thanks in advance

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-05-13T03:57:54+00:00

    Hi Dalecoffin,

    ·         How long have you been facing this issue?

    ·         Did you make any recent changes prior to the issue?

    I would suggest you to perform clean boot and check if the issue still persists.

    How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Note: After troubleshooting, make sure to put the computer to start as usual as mentioned in Step 7 in the above KB article.

    Hope this information helps.

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