Cant set default printer on Win7 workstation

I have a customer with a Win7-64 workstation that is on a local domain.
He reports that he cannot set any of his local or network printers as default.
I have remoted in and can confirm this behavior.  The option to set as default shows up in the right-click menu for any installed printers.  But selecting it makes no change.
I have installed a network printer and the last step asks if I want to set it as default.  When I select and apply that option I get an error message that the option is not available.
I have tried turning off printer spooling and checked the folder at C:\Windows\System32\spool\Printers and found nothing there.
I checked the group policies on the domain controller and locally but don't see anything there I think would affect this.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
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CreasAsked:
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JohnnyCanuckCommented:
Open regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows and give the user permission to change the setting (right click the Windows key, click Permissions, click Advanced, put a check in the Include inheritable permissions from this object's parent box, click OK).

The user should now be able to select a default printer.  As a matter of fact if you look in the Windows key it should list the current default printer (unless its messed up).
Pradeep VIshwakarmaCommented:
Hi,

i think your user profile is corrupt so create a another user and copy old profile to new profile use this software ( Windows Enabler ) link is below then add printer its working.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Miscellaneous/Windows-Enabler.shtml
Parrish ChamberlainSupportability and Transition ManagerCommented:
Please open an Elevated Command Prompt window (see below) and run the following commands

NET START SPOOLER
SC QC SPOOLER
SC QUERYEX SPOOLER
 
1) To open an Elevated Command Prompt Window (the ECP window), click on Start, All Programs, Accessories – then right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator. Accept the UAC prompt.
2) To run the commands easier, highlight the block of commands, and right-click on the highlight – select Copy. In the CP Window, click on the black/white icon at top left – select Paste. The commands will run but may not complete the last command, so hit the Enter Key once.
3) To copy the results... click on the Black/White icon in the top left, and select Edit... 'Select All', and hit the Enter key - then use Ctrl+V or r-click+Paste to paste it into your response


To rebuild a profile for win 7 follow the below

http://www.techstaty.com/how-to-rebuild-a-windows-7-user-profile-the-correct-way/
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CreasAuthor Commented:
Gentlemen...
I am sorry to report that this system has developed further problems - most likely due to a failing system drive.
Rather than chase the specific printer issue, it was decided to remove the ailing drive and load the OS from scratch on a new drive.
Understandably, the issue no longer exists.
Thank you for your efforts.  I will split the points equally, as they all seemed reasonable solutions.

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Parrish ChamberlainSupportability and Transition ManagerCommented:
no objections, cheers i also find sometimes its better to rebuild than spend hours trying to resolve unless its affecting more than 1 device

Thanks
CreasAuthor Commented:
Please see my last update.
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