You receive a "The server service is not started" error message when you try to add a user to a group in Windows XP

When you try to add a user to a group in Microsoft Windows XP, you receive the following error message and the user is not added to the group:

This issue may occur when the Server service is not running or is not installed.

To work around this issue, try the following methods in the order they are listed and check to see if the issue is resolved after you complete each method.

Method 1

Start the Server service. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. In the Services list, click Server.
3. On the Action menu, click Start.

Method 2

If the Server Service is not listed, install File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.
3. Click the General tab, and then click Install.
4. Click Service, and then click Add.
5. In the Network Service list, click File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and then click OK.
6. Click Close.

Method 3

If File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks cannot be installed in the environment, manually add the user to the appropriate group. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type compmgmt.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Expand Computer Management (Local), expand System Tools, expand Local Users and Groups, and then click Groups.
3. In the right-pane, right-click the appropriate group where you want to add the user, and then click Add to Group.
4. Click Add, type the user account you want to add to the group, and then click OK two times.