Tonight, we encountered a problem while trying to delete a print job from a printer connected to a print server. Despite our efforts, we were unable to remove the job.
Eventually, we opened the PrintWorkflow_<6-hex-digits> service on the workstation from where the job was initiated, and this successfully removed the print job. This service is unfamiliar to me as I haven’t come across it in previous versions of Windows.
I suspect that it might be a new feature introduced in Windows 10.
2 Answers
Introduction
In Windows 10, the PrintWorkflow_ service is a new addition that is designed to manage print jobs and printer settings. This service is responsible for coordinating print jobs between the operating system and the printer, as well as providing a centralized location for managing printer settings and preferences. The service is designed to be highly reliable and efficient, ensuring that print jobs are processed quickly and accurately.
What is the PrintWorkflow_ Service?
The PrintWorkflow_ service is a core component of the Windows 10 printing system. It is responsible for managing all aspects of the printing process, from the moment a print job is submitted to the moment it is completed. The service works by coordinating communication between the operating system and the printer, ensuring that print jobs are processed correctly and efficiently.
One of the key benefits of the PrintWorkflow_ service is that it provides a centralized location for managing printer settings and preferences. This means that users can easily configure their printers and print jobs from a single location, rather than having to navigate through multiple menus and settings screens. Additionally, the service is designed to be highly reliable and efficient, ensuring that print jobs are processed quickly and accurately.
How Does the PrintWorkflow_ Service Work?
The PrintWorkflow_ service works by coordinating communication between the operating system and the printer. When a print job is submitted, the service is responsible for ensuring that the job is processed correctly and efficiently. This involves managing the print queue, coordinating communication with the printer, and handling any errors or issues that may arise during the printing process.
One of the key features of the PrintWorkflow_ service is its ability to provide real-time feedback to users. This means that users can monitor the progress of their print jobs, and receive notifications if any issues arise during the printing process. Additionally, the service is designed to be highly scalable, allowing it to handle large volumes of print jobs without impacting performance.
Why Was the PrintWorkflow_ Service Introduced?
The PrintWorkflow_ service was introduced in Windows 10 to address a number of issues that were present in previous versions of the operating system. One of the main issues was the lack of centralized management for printers and print jobs. This meant that users had to navigate through numerous menus and settings screens to configure their printers and print jobs, which was time-consuming and inefficient.
Another issue was the lack of real-time feedback for print jobs. In previous versions of Windows, users had no way of monitoring the progress of their print jobs or receiving notifications if any issues arose during the printing process. This made it difficult to troubleshoot printing problems and caused frustration for many users.
The PrintWorkflow_ service was designed to address these issues by providing a centralized location for managing printers and print jobs, and by providing real-time feedback to users. Additionally, the service is highly reliable and efficient, which helps to ensure that print jobs are processed quickly and accurately.
How Can I Use the PrintWorkflow_ Service?
The PrintWorkflow_ service is designed to be easy to use, and is accessible from the Windows 10 Settings app. To access the service, simply open the Settings app and navigate to the Devices > Printers & scanners section. From here, you can view and manage all of your installed printers, as well as configure print job settings and preferences.
In addition to the Settings app, the PrintWorkflow_ service is also accessible from the Windows PowerShell command line. This can be useful for advanced users who want to automate printing tasks or troubleshoot printing issues. To access the service from PowerShell, simply open a PowerShell window and enter the appropriate commands.
Conclusion
The PrintWorkflow_ service is a powerful new addition to the Windows 10 operating system, designed to make printing easier and more efficient for users. By providing a centralized location for managing printers and print jobs, and by providing real-time feedback to users, the service helps to streamline the printing process and improve productivity. Whether you are a casual user or an advanced IT professional, the PrintWorkflow_ service is a valuable tool that can help you get the most out of your printing experience on Windows 10.
Based on the information available, it seems that the PrintWorkflow_~ service is linked to the Per-user services feature found in both Windows 10 and Windows Server. This suggests that it is a novel addition to Windows 10, introduced in version 1709. This is supported by the Per-user services table and section of a Microsoft post.
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Applies to: Windows 10, Windows Server
Per-user services are services that are created when a user signs into
Windows or Windows Server and are stopped and deleted when that user
signs out. These services run in the security context of the user
account – this provides better resource management than the previous
approach of running these kinds of services in Explorer, associated
with a preconfigured account, or as tasks.
The Customize the Print Workflow post discusses a potential use case for the PrintWorkflow_~ service, which involves customizing the printing workflow experience. This is just one example of how the service could potentially be employed.
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Overview
Developers can customize the printing workflow experience through the
use of a print workflow app. Print workflow apps are UWP apps that
expand on the functionality of Microsoft Store devices apps
(WSDAs),
so it will be helpful to have some familiarity with WSDAs before going
further.Just as in the case of WSDAs, when the user of a source application
elects to print something and navigates through the print dialog, the
system checks whether a workflow app is associated with that printer.
If it is, the print workflow app launches (primarily as a background
task; more on this below). A workflow app is able to alter both the
print ticket (the XML document that configures the printer device
settings for the current print task) and the actual XPS content to be
printed. It can optionally expose this functionality to the user by
launching a UI midway through the process. After doing its work, it
passes the print content and print ticket on to the driver.Because it involves background and foreground components, and because
it is functionally coupled with other app(s), a print workflow app can
be more complicated to implement than other categories of UWP apps. It
is recommended that you inspect the Workflow app
sample while reading
this guide to better understand how the different features can be
implemented. Some features, such as various error checks and UI
management, are absent from this guide for the sake of simplicity.