Windows RT Demand Start Spooler

  • Article

Applies To: Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows RT Demand Start Spooler Overview

This feature changes the spooler service to start only on demand and to self-terminate once the service is idle.

On average, the spooler consumes ~10MB of working set memory when idle. Moving to a demand start model contributes significantly to reduce the core OS memory demand.

Windows RT Demand Start Spooler Architecture

The demand start spooler feature does not alter the fundamental architecture of the spooler.

When applications (or system components) attempt to communicate with the spooler via LRPC, the print spooler service will be trigger-started.

The print spooler will stop when the following idle conditions are met:

  • No printer handles are open

  • Ten minutes have elapsed since the last spooler activity

The print spooler service will continue to be configured with a start value of "automatic" and will start at boot.

See also