Category: windows-7

Few things are more frustrating than hitting “Print” and seeing the error:

“The local print spooler service is not running.”

This problem is common in Windows 7/8/10 but thankfully it’s fixable. Here’s how to get your printer working again.

1. What Is the “Local Print Spooler Service Is Not Running” Error?

The Print Spooler is a small Windows service that manages print jobs. Instead of sending documents directly to the printer, Windows stores them in a queue (the spooler) and processes them in order.

If the Print Spooler service stops or crashes, you’ll see this error. That means Windows can’t send jobs to your printer until the spooler is running again.

2. How to Restart the Print Spooler Service

The quickest fix is simply restarting the Print Spooler:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down and find Print Spooler.
3. Right-click it and choose Restart.
   • If “Restart” isn’t available, click Start instead.

Now try printing again.

3. Set Print Spooler to Start Automatically (or Reinstall It)

To prevent the error from coming back:

1. In the same Services window, right-click Print Spooler → Properties.
2. Under Startup type, select Automatic.
3. Click Apply, then OK.

If the spooler still refuses to start, it might be corrupted. In that case, reinstall it by:

• Opening Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off.
• Unchecking Print and Document Services, rebooting, then re-enabling it.

4. Restart print queue in Windows

Sometimes, the spooler service won’t restart because of stuck print jobs or corrupted files. To clear them:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and stop the Print Spooler.
2. Open C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
3. Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder.
4. Start the Print Spooler service again.

This wipes the print queue and removes corrupted jobs.

5. Reinstall Printer Drivers in Windows

If none of the above fixes work, the problem may be your printer drivers.

1. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your printer → Remove device.
3. Download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
4. Reinstall the printer.

With fresh drivers, the spooler service should run smoothly again.

The “local print spooler service is not running” error is annoying, but it usually comes down to a stopped service or corrupted print jobs. Restarting the spooler, clearing the print queue, or reinstalling drivers almost always solves it.

You’ve probably seen a file ending in .rar and wondered why Windows won’t open it. That’s because RAR is a compressed archive format (like ZIP), but unlike ZIP, it’s not natively supported by Windows. Don’t worry—opening RAR files is easy once you know which tool to use.

1 – Old Windows Versions and RAR Files

Windows has long supported .zip archives without any extra software. You can double-click a ZIP file and browse the contents like a folder.

But RAR files are different. They were developed using a proprietary compression algorithm, and Windows 7, 8, and even 10 don’t include built-in support. That means you’ll need a third-party app to extract them.

2 – The Best App to Open RAR Files on Windows 7 (and Later)

One of the easiest (and free) tools to use is 7-Zip.

• Website: https://www.7-zip.org/
• Cost: Free (open source)
• Why use it: Lightweight, secure, supports RAR, ZIP, and dozens of other archive formats.

3 – How to Extract a RAR Archive in Windows 10

1. Download and install 7-Zip
2. Right-click the .rar file.
3. In the menu, hover over 7-Zip.
4. Choose one of the following:
   • Extract Here → unpacks files into the same folder.
   • Extract to foldername → creates a new folder with the extracted files.
   • Open archive → lets you browse inside the RAR before extracting.

That’s it—your files are now ready to use.

4 – Using RAR in Old Versions of Windows

If you’re still on Windows 7 or 8, you might wonder if it’s worth installing extra software just for RAR files. Honestly, unless you need to open a RAR someone sent you, it’s better to stick with ZIP.

Why?

• Windows already supports ZIP out of the box.
• Most tools let you compress into ZIP as easily as RAR.
• Sharing ZIPs avoids the “What do I need to open this?” problem for friends or coworkers.

RAR is fine for extracting files, but for creating and sharing, ZIP is the universal choice.

5 – What About WinRAR? (And Why to Avoid It)

You might hear about WinRAR, since it’s the software originally designed for RAR archives. It works well—but here’s why many people skip it:

• It’s not free. WinRAR is paid software, though it lets you keep using it after the trial (with constant nags).
• 7-Zip does the same job without cost or limitations.
• For simple extracting, WinRAR is overkill.

Unless you have a very specific reason to use it, 7-Zip is the better option for most Windows users.

Got a font you love on one computer and want to use it on another? Whether you’re moving to a new machine or just keeping your design setup consistent, copying fonts in Windows 7, 8, or 10 is simple—but there are a few things you need to know first.

1 – Where Are Fonts Stored in Windows 7/8/10?

All installed fonts are stored in a single folder:

C:\Windows\Fonts

This is Windows’ central font directory. Any file here is available system-wide. To open it quickly, press Windows + R, type fonts, and hit Enter.

2 – Find a Font File in Windows

If you know the name of the font you want:

1. Open the Fonts folder (C:\Windows\Fonts).
2. Scroll or search by font name.
3. Right-click the font → Open file location.

This shows you the actual .ttf (TrueType) or .otf (OpenType) file on your system.

3 – How to Copy a Font to a New PC

You have two options depending on how many fonts you want to move:

• Copy a single font
  1. Find the font file (see above).
  2. Copy it to a USB stick or cloud folder.
  3. On the new PC, double-click the file → click Install.
• Copy all fonts at once
  1. Go to C:\Windows\Fonts.
  2. Select all fonts (Ctrl + A) and copy them.
  3. Paste them into a folder on your USB stick or cloud drive.
  4. On the new PC, copy them back into C:\Windows\Fonts (or select them all → right-click → Install).

⚠️ Note: Copying every font can be overkill. Many are system fonts that already exist on the new PC. Usually, it’s easier to just copy the few you actually need.

4 – App Not Picking Up the New Font?

Sometimes your new font won’t show up right away:

• Restart the app (Word, Photoshop, etc.).
• If that fails, restart Windows.
• Check for duplicates—two fonts with the same name can confuse Windows.

5 – Are You Allowed to Copy Fonts? (Font Licensing)

Here’s the tricky part: not every font can legally be copied.

• Free fonts (like Google Fonts or Font Squirrel) are usually fine to move between personal devices.
• Commercial fonts (like those bought from Adobe, Monotype, etc.) often have strict licenses—usually tied to one user or one device.

If you’re moving to a new PC, check the font’s license terms. Sometimes you can install it on multiple devices you personally use. In a workplace, you may need extra licenses.

👉 Best practice: If you’re decommissioning the old computer, remove the font from it after installing on the new one to stay compliant.

Copying fonts between Windows PCs is easy—just grab the .ttf or .otf file and install it on the new machine. But always remember to respect licensing rules. Fonts are software too, and moving them without permission can create legal issues.

Adding a font in Windows? We know. Sometimes the default fonts just don’t cut it—whether you want a stylish script for invitations, a quirky font for a school project, or something professional for design work. Luckily, Windows makes it pretty straightforward to install and use new fonts. Here’s everything you need to know.

1 – Where are fonts Stored in Windows 7/8/10?

All the system fonts are stored in a single folder:

C:\Windows\Fonts

This is the central location where Windows looks for installed fonts. Once a font is placed here, it becomes available to all applications on your computer (Word, Photoshop, browsers, etc.).

Tip: You can open this folder quickly by pressing Windows + R, typing fonts, and hitting Enter.

2 – What Font Types does Windows support?

Windows supports several font formats, but the most common ones you’ll see are:

• TrueType (.ttf) – The standard, works in almost every app.
• OpenType (.otf) – More advanced, supports extra features like ligatures; also widely supported.
• PostScript (.pfb + .pfm) – Older Adobe format, not as common these days.

For most users, sticking to .ttf or .otf fonts is easiest and safest.

3 – How to install a new font in Windows 7/8/10

Method 1: Double-Click

1. Download and unzip the font file if it’s in a ZIP folder.
2. Double-click the .ttf or .otf file.
3. In the preview window that opens, click Install.

Method 2: Copy to Fonts Folder

1. Download the font.
2. Right-click the file and choose Copy.
3. Navigate to C:\Windows\Fonts.
4. Right-click inside the folder and choose Paste.

That’s it—the font should now be available system-wide.

4 – App not picking up the new font?

If you’ve just installed a font but can’t find it in Word, Photoshop, or another program, try these fixes:

• Restart the app – Most programs only load fonts when they start.
• Restart Windows – Some apps (especially older ones) need a reboot before recognizing new fonts.
• Check for duplicates – If two fonts have the same internal name, Windows may ignore one.
• Make sure you installed for all users – If you only installed the font for your user account, another account on the same PC won’t see it.

5 – Where to get new fonts for Windows

You don’t have to settle for the defaults—there are thousands of free and paid fonts online. Some popular sources include:

• Google Fonts – Free, open-source fonts, easy to browse.
• DaFont – Huge collection of free fonts (check license terms).
• Font Squirrel – Hand-picked free fonts with commercial licenses.
• Adobe Fonts – Premium fonts, included with Creative Cloud.

Always check licensing if you’re using fonts for commercial projects.

Adding fonts in Windows 7, 8, or 10 is easy—once you know where they’re stored and how to install them. Whether you’re designing, writing, or just customizing your desktop, the right font can make all the difference.