WINSPOOL.DRV is not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error?

What operating system software are you running? I ask because here's an article from Microsoft on troubleshooting this problem in Windows 2000. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196453

Basically they say that the winspool.drv file is either missing or corrupted and they tell you to replace the file.

Edit: I am running windows vista 64 bit

C:\windows\system32\winspool.drv

OK, I looked around and in two places the suggested fix was to rename the above file. So can you change the name of winspool.drv to something like winspool.drv.old and then restart your computer and see if that fixes it?

If it doesn't fix it you can just go back and change the file name back to what it was before.

Edit 2: I did try to rename the file, but it kept coming up with a prompt saying I need permission do that.

That's Vista for you...Here's a link that describes how to "take ownership" of a file in Vista or Windows 7.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/112795-context-m...

METHOD ONE

THE AUTOMATIC WAY

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-owner...

METHOD TWO

THE MANUAL WAY

Option One

Through the Command Prompt

EX. To Take Ownership of this System file: C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui

EX. User name to Take Ownership with: Brink

1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type the command belowand press Enter.

NOTE: Substitute full path of file with the full path of the file that you want to take ownership of within quotes.

takeown /f "full path of file"

For example:

takeown /f "C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui"

3. A message will be displayed that this completed successfully. This will give you ownership of the file.

4. In the same elevated command prompt, type the command below and press Enter.

NOTE: Substitute full path of file with the full path of the file from step 2 within quotes, and (user name) with your user name.

icacls "full path of file" /grant (user name):F

For example:

Code:

icacls "C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui" /grant Brink:F

5. A message will be displayed that this completed successfully.

NOTE: You should be able to delete or modify the file now. If you still can't, you may need to reboot into Safe Mode and try this again. It may vary according to the file. Some are more stubborn.

Option Two

Through a Windows Explorer Window

1. Go to the file, folder, drive, or registry key you want to delete or modify.

NOTE: For example, the system file:

C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui

2. For a File, Folder, or Drive

A) Right click on the file, folder, or drive and click on Properties.

WARNING: Do not do this to the hard drive partition that Vista is installed on. It can mess up the boot files.

For example, the file: winload.exe.mui

B) Go to step 4

4. Click on the Security tab and on the Advanced button. (See screenshots below)

(click on the link above if you want to read the rest)

Edit 3: Ok, got that all to work. Rebooting now

I hope that fixes it for you!

Edit 4: I changed the name to winspool.drv.old and restarted it, but it still keeps coming up with the same error message.

How aggravating! Have you tried reinstalling WoW? That's the only thing I can think of at this point.

At least you know that the winspool.drv file wasn't the problem.

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WINSPOOL.DRV is not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error?

Hey guys, I am not a very good computer person so I hope this may be an easy solve, but google searches haven't been too promising.

Anyway, yesterday I was getting ready to play WoW and I had a problem with the launcher. I unchecked read-only for a folder that a customer rep suggested and...

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