windows 7 - Is there a way to allow standard users to restart (stop/start) the Print Spooler?

For some reason, multiple laptops on our wifi network often lose the ability to print to a device attached to a server on the network. Restarting the Print Spooler on each laptop fixes the issue. However, restarting the Windows Print Spooler service (via either services.msc or via the net start/stop command) requires administrative privileges.

Is there a way to allow standard users to restart their local print spooler service without requiring elevation or administrative privileges? For example, via a policy change?

Answer

I ended up using Method 3 at How to grant users rights to manage services in Windows 2000.

1. Download and install SubInACL.exe


2. run "C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\subinacl" /service Spooler /grant==TO

SubInACL works on Windows 7.

The T grant parameter is for start service access and the O parameter is stop service access.

Now can:

• run sc stop Spooler and sc start Spooler


• run net stop "Print Spooler" and net start "Print Spooler"


• use the Restart button on the Print Spooler item in services.msc