Fix printer error 0xC0000715 (symlink class disabled)

This error means your printer driver tried to use a symbolic link, and Windows said no.

I know this error is infuriating—especially when you're trying to set up a new printer and get slapped with 0xC0000715. The full message: "STATUS_SYMLINK_CLASS_DISABLED - The symbolic link cannot be followed because its type is disabled." It's Windows telling your driver "can't use that shortcut."

The real fix: re-enable symbolic link type in Registry

Skip reinstalling the driver—that's a waste of time here. The root cause is a registry key that disabled a specific symlink class (usually SymbolicLink or DeviceMap). Here's how to fix it:

Press Win + R, type regedit, hit Enter.
Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment
Look for a DWORD named SymlinkClassDisabled. If it exists, right-click and delete it. If not, check HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\{your printer driver service}\Parameters—some drivers store it there.
Reboot.

That's it for most cases. I've seen this on Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11, especially after a security update (KB5034765 is a known trigger).

If the registry key isn't there

Some printer drivers (looking at you, old HP and Canon ones) create this key inside their own service path. Open services.msc, find your printer's service (e.g., Spooler or HPPrintService), note the service name, then search HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\[service name] for SymlinkClassDisabled. Delete it.

Why does this happen?

Windows disables certain symlink classes for security reasons—it's meant to block malware from using symlinks to elevate privileges. But printer drivers from 2015–2020 often relied on these symlinks (like \Global??\COM1 or \Device\NamedPipe). A 2023 Microsoft patch (KB5023774) started enforcing this stricter, breaking older drivers.

The symlink class disabled error is Windows' way of saying "that shortcut's not allowed anymore." Your driver can't follow the link to talk to the printer hardware.

Less common variations of this issue

Virtual printers (e.g., Microsoft Print to PDF, Adobe PDF) can hit this if you've tightened local security policies. Check gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → User Rights Assignment → Create symbolic links. If your user/group is missing, add it.
Network printers using a direct IP connection sometimes throw this error when the driver tries to create a symlink to a network share. Uncheck "Enable bidirectional support" in printer properties → Ports → Configure Port.
Citrix or RDP environments: Symlink policies are often set by Group Policy. Run rsop.msc to check if Create symbolic links is disabled for your user. If so, ask your admin to relax it.

Prevention for next time

Don't let Windows Update auto-install printer drivers. Those updates are the usual culprit. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Pause updates for 7 days. Then manually install your printer driver from the manufacturer's site—the version they tested.

Also, if you're on Windows 11 Pro, enable Local Group Policy → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Filesystem → Enable NTFS symbolic links. Set it to "Enabled". This pre-authorizes symlinks for all apps, including printers.

One last thing: if your printer is older than 2018, consider replacing it. Manufacturers stopped fixing these driver issues. I know that's not what you want to hear, but I've spent too many hours on this exact error with old Brother and Samsung printers—it's never worth the headache.