Opening and Managing Windows Services Manager (Services.msc)

Opening and Managing Windows Services Manager (Services.msc)

Windows Services Manager, or Services.msc, is a built-in tool in Windows that allows users to manage and configure system services. These services are applications that run silently in the background and perform essential tasks, such as managing hardware, networking, and security.

Methods to Open Services Manager

WinX Menu

1. Right-click the Start button to open the WinX Menu.
2. Select “Run.”
3. Type “services.msc” in the Run box and press Enter.

Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.

Types of Startup Services

Windows offers four startup types for services:

• Automatic: The service starts automatically when the computer boots.
• Automatic (Delayed Start): The service starts automatically after a delay.
• Manual: The service must be started manually by a user or another service.
• Disabled: The service is not started and will not run.

Managing Services

To manage a service:

1. Right-click the service in Services Manager.
2. Select the desired action:
   • Start: Starts the service.
   • Stop: Stops the service.
   • Pause: Pauses the service.
   • Resume: Resumes the service.
   • Restart: Restarts the service.

Properties Box

Double-clicking a service opens its Properties box, which provides additional options:

• Startup type: Allows you to select the startup type.
• Service status: Displays the current status of the service.
• Log On: Specifies the user account under which the service runs.
• Recovery: Configures actions to take if the service fails.
• Dependencies: Lists other services that depend on or are depended upon by the service.

Command Line Management

Services can also be managed using the Command Prompt:

• Start service: net startservice
• Stop service: net stopservice
• Pause service: net pauseservice
• Resume service: net continueservice
• Disable service: sc config start= disabled

Refreshing a Service

To refresh a service, right-click it in Services Manager and select “Refresh.” This re-reads the service’s contents into memory.

Conclusion

Services Manager is a powerful tool that allows users to manage and configure system services. Understanding the different startup types and management options is essential for maintaining a stable and efficient Windows environment.

FAQ

What is Services Manager (Services.msc)?

Services Manager is a built-in tool in Windows that allows users to manage and configure system services. These services are applications that run silently in the background and perform essential tasks, such as managing hardware, networking, and security.

How do I open Services Manager?

There are two main ways to open Services Manager:

1. Right-click the Start button and select “Run.” Type “services.msc” in the Run box and press Enter.
2. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type “services.msc.”

What are the different startup types for services?

Windows offers four startup types for services:

• Automatic: The service starts automatically when the computer boots.
• Automatic (Delayed Start): The service starts automatically after a delay.
• Manual: The service must be started manually by a user or another service.
• Disabled: The service is not started and will not run.

How do I start, stop, or restart a service?

To start, stop, or restart a service, right-click the service in Services Manager and select the desired action. You can also use the Command Prompt to manage services using commands such as net startservice, net stopservice, and net continueservice.

How do I disable a service?

To disable a service, open its Properties box in Services Manager and select “Disabled” from the Startup type drop-down menu. You can also use the Command Prompt to disable a service using the command sc config ; start= disabled.

How do I refresh a service?

To refresh a service, right-click it in Services Manager and select “Refresh.” This re-reads the service’s contents into memory.

What are the risks of modifying service settings?

Modifying service settings can have unintended consequences, such as causing system instability or preventing certain features from working properly. It is recommended to only change service settings if you are confident in your understanding of the potential impact.