MSDN Documentation

Understanding Windows Services

A Windows Service is an application that runs in the background. Unlike standard applications that require a user to log in and launch them, services can start automatically when the system boots up and continue running even if no user is logged in. This makes them ideal for long-running tasks that need to be available at all times.

Key characteristics of Windows Services include:

• Background Operation: They run independently of the user interface.
• Automatic Startup: Many services are configured to start automatically with Windows.
• No User Interaction Required: They operate without direct user input.
• System Integration: They often integrate deeply with the operating system.

Common Tools for Managing Services

Windows provides several built-in tools to manage services:

1. Services Snap-in (services.msc)

This is the most common and user-friendly graphical interface for managing services. To open it:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.

The Services snap-in displays a list of all services installed on your system, their status (Running, Stopped, Paused), their startup type (Automatic, Manual, Disabled), and their description. You can right-click a service to perform actions like Start, Stop, Restart, or change its properties.

2. Command Prompt (sc.exe)

The sc.exe command-line utility offers powerful control over services. It's particularly useful for scripting and automation.

    REM To query service status
    sc query 

    REM To start a service
    sc start 

    REM To stop a service
    sc stop 

    REM To change startup type to Automatic
    sc config  start=auto

    REM To change startup type to Manual
    sc config  start=demand
                    

Replace <ServiceName> with the actual name of the service (e.g., wuauserv for Windows Update).

3. PowerShell (Get-Service, Start-Service, Stop-Service)

PowerShell provides cmdlets that make service management intuitive and scriptable.

    # To get all services
    Get-Service

    # To get a specific service
    Get-Service -Name "ServiceName"

    # To start a service
    Start-Service -Name "ServiceName"

    # To stop a service
    Stop-Service -Name "ServiceName"

    # To restart a service
    Restart-Service -Name "ServiceName"

    # To set startup type
    Set-Service -Name "ServiceName" -StartupType Automatic
                    

Common Service Management Tasks

• Starting/Stopping Services: Essential for troubleshooting or applying updates.
• Changing Startup Type: Configure services to start automatically, manually, or be disabled.
• Viewing Dependencies: Understand which services rely on others and which are required by other services.
• Configuring Recovery Options: Set actions to take if a service fails (e.g., restart the service).

Troubleshooting Service Issues

If a service is not starting or behaving unexpectedly, consider the following steps:

1. Check the Event Viewer: Look for error messages in the System and Application logs.
2. Verify Dependencies: Ensure that all required services are running.
3. Review Service Configuration: Check the startup type and recovery options.
4. Consult Documentation: Refer to the official documentation for the specific service.
5. Restart the Computer: A simple reboot can often resolve transient issues.