What is the "spoolsv.exe" process on windows 8? Is the "spoolsv.exe" process a virus? Can I terminate the "spoolsv.exe" process?

"spoolsv.exe" process represents "Spooler SubSystem App" program, created by the "Print Spooler" service.

"spoolsv.exe" process is normally running under the parent process "Boot" as shown in the process tree below:

Boot
   spoolsv

On the Processes tab of "Task Manager", "spoolsv.exe" process may be listed as:

Image Name                 Memory   Description
--------------------   ----------   -----------
spoolsv.exe               8,792 K   Spooler SubSystem App

Additional information about "spoolsv.exe" process:

Command line:
   C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe

Programe file information:
   Name: spoolsv.exe
   Location: C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
   Description: Spooler SubSystem App
   Version: 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247)
   Size: 769024 bytes
   Last modified: 7/25/2012 11:08:47 PM
   Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
   
Some data files used:
C:\Windows\System32

Some registry keys used:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\Image File Execution Options
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SESSION MANAGER
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Versions
HKU\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\International
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Nls\Sorting\Ids
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\Print\Printers
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Monitors\Local Port

Some DLL libraries used:
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
C:\Windows\system32\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\KERNELBASE.dll
C:\Windows\system32\USER32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\msvcrt.dll
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\sechost.dll
C:\Windows\system32\RPCRT4.dll
C:\Windows\System32\DNSAPI.dll
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\powrprof.dll
C:\Windows\system32\GDI32.dll

"spoolsv.exe" process is not a virus. But you can terminate "spoolsv.exe" process, if you are not using any printers.

 

⇒ "IntelCpHeciSvc.exe" Process on Windows 8

⇐ "msdtc.exe" Process on Windows 8

⇑ System Service Processes on Windows 8

⇑⇑ Windows 8 Processes Tutorials