What Is a Service?

Definition of a Windows service & instructions on controlling services

A service is a small program that usually starts when the Windows operating system loads. You won’t normally interact with services like you do with regular programs because they run in the background (you don’t see them) and don’t provide a normal user interface.

How Are Services Used?

Services can be used by Windows to control many things like printing, sharing files, communicating with Bluetooth devices, checking for software updates, hosting a website, etc.

A service can even be installed by a 3rd party, non-Windows program, like as a file backup tool, disk encryption program, online backup utility, and more.

How Do I Control Windows Services?

Since services don’t open and display options and windows like you’re probably used to seeing with a program, you must use a built-in Windows tool to manipulate them.

Services is a tool with a user interface that communicates with what’s called Service Control Manager so that you can work with services.

Another tool, the command-line Service Control utility (sc.exe), is available as well, but it’s more complex to use and so is unnecessary for most people.

How to See What Services Are Running on Your Computer

The easiest way to open Services is through the Services shortcut in Administrative Tools, which is accessible via Control Panel.

Another option is to run services.msc from a Command Prompt or the Run dialog box (Win key+R).

If you’re running Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, you can also see services in Task Manager.

Services that are actively running right now will say Running in the Status column. See the screenshot above for an example.

Although there are many more, here are some examples of services you might see running on your computer: Apple Mobile Device Service, Bluetooth Support Service, DHCP Client, DNS Client, HomeGroup Listener, Network Connections, Plug and Play, Print Spooler, Security Center, Task Scheduler, Windows Firewall, and WLAN AutoConfig.

It’s completely normal if not all the services are running (nothing, or Stopped, is shown in the Status column). If you’re looking through the list in an effort to find a solution to a problem your computer is having, don’t begin starting all the services that aren’t running. While it likely won’t do any harm, that approach is probably not the solution to your problem.

Double-clicking (or tapping) on any service will open its properties, which is where you can see the purpose of the service and, for some, what will happen if you stop it. For example, opening the properties for Apple Mobile Device Service explains that the service is used to communicate with Apple devices that you plug into your computer.

You can’t view the properties of a service if you’re accessing them through Task Manager. You must be in the Services utility.

How to Enable and Disable Windows Services

Some services may need to be restarted for troubleshooting purposes if the program they belong to or the task they perform isn’t working as it should. Other services may need to be stopped completely if you’re trying to reinstall the software but an attached service won’t stop on its own, or if you suspect that the service is being used maliciously.

You should be extremely careful when editing Windows services. Most of them that you see listed are very important for everyday tasks, and some even depend on other services to work properly.

With Services open, you can right-click (or press-and-hold) any of the services for more options, which let you start, stop, pause, resume, or restart it. These options are pretty self-explanatory.

As we said above, some services may need to be stopped if they’re interfering with a software install or uninstall. Say, for example, that you’re uninstalling an antivirus program, but for some reason the service isn’t shutting down with the program, causing you to be unable to completely remove the program because part of it is still running.

This is one case where you’d want to open Services, find the appropriate service, and choose Stop so that you can continue with the normal uninstall process.

One instance where you may need to restart a Windows service is if you’re trying to print something but everything keeps getting hung up in the print queue. The common fix for this problem is to go into Services and choose Restart for the Print Spooler service.

You don’t want to completely shut it down because it needs to run in order for you to print. Restarting the service shuts it down temporarily, and then starts it back up, which is just like a simple refresh to get things running normally again.

How to Delete/Uninstall Windows Services

Deleting a service may be the only option you have if a malicious program has installed a service that you can’t seem to keep disabled.

The option can’t be found in the services.msc program, but it is still possible to completely uninstall a service in Windows. This won’t only shut the service down but will delete it from the computer, never to be seen again (unless, of course, it’s installed again).

Uninstalling a Windows service can be done in both the Windows Registry and with the Service Control utility (sc.exe), similar to svchost.exe, via an elevated Command Prompt. You can read more about these two methods at Stack Overflow.

If you’re running Windows 7 or an older Windows OS, the free Comodo Programs Manager software can be used to delete Windows services, and it’s much easier to use than either method above (but doesn’t work in Windows 10 or Windows 8).

More Information on Windows Services

Services are different from regular programs in that a regular piece of software will stop working if the user logs out of the computer. A service, however, is running with the Windows OS, sort of in its own environment, which means the user can be logged completely out of their account but still have certain services running in the background.

While it might come off as a disadvantage to always have services running, it’s actually very beneficial, like if you use remote access software. An always-on service installed by one of those programs enables you to remote into your computer even if you’re not logged on locally.

There are other options within each service’s properties window on top of what is described above that lets you customize how the service should start up (automatically, manually, delayed, or disabled) and what should automatically happen if the service suddenly fails and stops running.

A service can also be configured to run under the permissions of a particular user. This is beneficial in a scenario where a specific application needs to be used but the logged-in user doesn’t have proper rights to run it. You’ll likely only see this in a scenario where there’s a network administrator in control of the computers.

Some services can’t be disabled through regular means because they may have been installed with a driver that prevents you from disabling it. If you think this is the case, you can try finding and disabling the driver in Device Manager or booting into Safe Mode and attempting to disable the service there (because most drivers don’t load up in Safe Mode).

Which Windows 10 Services can you safely disable?

Windows 10 has many Services to make sure that the operating system functions smoothly. While it is best to leave the Service configuration at their default values, there are some performance & tweak enthusiasts who want to make their Windows run even smoother. If you are wondering w hich Windows 10 Services are safe to disable, then this guide will help you. We strongly recommend that you create a System Restore Point first and also make notes of the changes you make to your Services configuration.

Before we go ahead, it’s a good idea to understand the Windows Services section. Type services.msc in the search box and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager. Once the Services window opens, you can see the complete list of services, both from Windows OS, and the installed applications which are running on your system.

Every service has Name, Description, Status, Startup Type, and Log On As. Double click on any Service to look at its Properties.

• Startup Type: Some services are set to Automatic or Automatic (Delayed), while others are Manual and Disabled.
• Service Status: It is the current status of the service. Action buttons are available for you to change it.
• Dependencies: Many services depend on other small and big services. Some other functions can also rely on it. If that’s the case, you will be warned if you choose to disable it.

You will notice that many services which set to Manual. These services are started only when they are needed. They might be kept running or set to stop mode when not needed anymore. Services with Startup Type as Automatic start with Windows. Applications like the AntiVirus program need to be available as soon as Windows 10 starts.

The best strategy to disable Windows 10 Services

Many want to disable services because they might help to speed up their computer. It is best to look at services that are in Automatic mode. They are the only ones which increase computer boot time. In the services list, click on the Startup Type header to list all automatic services.

Now click on the Service, and check if you can change status. Sometimes none of the buttons are enabled including Stop. If that’s the case, skip this service and move to the next one.

When you find a service that can be stopped or set to manual, make sure to read about the service and check on dependencies. If you see any service is depending on this one, do not disable it. If it’s a stand-alone service, check to what the service is related to.

For example, the Bonjour Service is needed by applications from Apple like iTunes. You can choose to disable it or choose Automatic (Delayed). On the contrary, services like IP Helper should not be disabled if you use IPv6. It is essential for 6to4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, and Teredo, and IP-HTTPS.

It’s best to leave Windows 10 Services as is

Any service which is from Microsoft, i.e., Windows 10 “ONLY” Services, should be kept as is. It’s not easy to understand for a general consumer to understand the impact it will make when you disable a service. While many websites and blogs would suggest services that you can disable, we don’t support that logic.

If there is a service that belongs to a third-party application, you can choose to set to Manual or Automatic (Delayed). That will help to boot your computer fast. Even better, make sure to remove the application from the Startup List.

Which Windows 10 services are safe to disable

Nevertheless, if you still want to see what you can disable, then it all depends on your system:

1. Are you a single PC home user?
2. Do you use the Internet?
3. Are you connected to a network or domain?
4. Are you using a desktop or a laptop?
5. And so on.

The following Windows Services can be safely disabled. Instead of setting the Startup type to Disabled, you may set it to Manual, to be on the safe side.

• AVCTP service – Disable it if you do not use Bluetooth Audio Device or Wireless Headphones.
• BitLocker Drive Encryption Service – disable it if you do not use BitLocker storage encryption.
• Bluetooth Support Service – Disable it if you do not use any Bluetooth device
• Computer Browser – This will then disable Network discovery of systems on the local network
• Connected User Experiences and Telemetry – Disables Feedback, Telemetry and Data Collection
• Diagnostic Policy Service
• Diagnostic Tracking Service – Turns off Telemetry and Data Collection
• Distributed Link Tracking Client – If your PC is not connected to a network
• Downloaded Maps Manager – If you don’t use the Bing Maps app
• File History Service – If you never use Windows Backup or System Restore
• IP Helper – (If you don’t use IPv6 connection)
• Infrared monitor service – If you never use File transfer via infrared devices.
• Internet Connection Sharing – An old service that can be disabled
• Netlogon – Disable it if you are not on a domain controller environment.
• Program Compatibility Assistant Service – This will hinder your running in the Compatibility Mode though
• Print Spooler – If you don’t use a Printer
• Parental Control – If you do not use the Parental Control feature.
• Remote Registry – Best to disable it. No one will be able to access your Registry remotely.
• Secondary Logon
• TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper – If you are not a part of a Workgroup network
• Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service – If you do not have a touch device
• Windows Error Reporting Service – If you don’t want to save or send error reports
• Windows Image Acquisition – If you don’t use a Scanner
• Windows Camera Frame Server – If you never use a webcam or an integrated camera
• Windows Insider Service – Disable it if you are not a part of the Windows Insider Program.
• Windows Search – Do it only if you never use Windows Search but instead use a 3rd-party search software.

So you see there is no one-shoe-fits-all scenario, and so it becomes imperative that you know your system and what you want.

If you need good advice, then the Black Viper’s Windows 10 Service Configurations is one resource advanced users may want to look at.

How to open Windows Services Manager in Windows 10

At times you may need to open and manage your Windows Services. You may want to stop some service, start it, disable the service, delay its start-up or resume or pause the Windows Service. At such time, the Services Manager, which is a built-in tool in the Windows operating system, will help you. This post will show you how to open your Windows Services, using Services Manager as well as the Command Prompt.

Windows Services are applications that typically start when the computer is booted and run quietly in the background until it is shut down. Strictly speaking, a service is any Windows application that is implemented with the services API and handles low-level tasks that require little or no user interaction.

How to open Windows Services Manager

To open the Windows Services Manager on your Windows 10 computer, do the following:

1. Right-click on the Start button to open the WinX Menu
2. Select Run
3. Type services.msc in the Run box which opens
4. Windows Services Manager will open.

Here you will be able to start, stop, disable, delay Windows Services.

Let us see how to do this in a bit more detail.

Right-click on your Start button to open the WinX Menu. Select Run. This opens the Run box. Now type services.msc in it and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.

Here, under the Name column, you will see the list of Services running on your system, along with their description. You will also be able to see their Status -whether they are running or stopped, along with the Startup types.

Types of Windows Services startup

Windows 10 offers four start-ups types:

1. Automatic
2. Automatic (Delayed Start)
3. Manual
4. Disabled.

Start, stop, disable Windows Services

To start, stop, pause, resume or restart any Windows Service, select the Service and right-click on it. You will be offered these options.

If you wish to manage more options, double-click on the Service to open its Properties box.

Here, under the Startup type drop-down menu, you will be able to select the startup type for the Service.

Under Service status, you will see buttons to Start, Stop, Pause, Resume the Service.

In the Properties box, you will also see other tabs like Log On, Recovery & Dependencies, which offer additional options and information.

Once you have made your changes, you will have to click on Apply and restart your computer, for the changes to take effect.

Read: What does Automatic (Trigger Start) and Manual (Trigger Start) mean for Windows Services?

Manage Services using Command Line

You can also use the Command Prompt to start, stop, pause, resume service. To use it, from the WinX Menu, open Command Prompt (Admin) and execute one of the following commands:

To start a service:

To stop a service:

To pause a service:

To resume a service:

To disable a service:

It is recommended that you not change the default settings unless you know what you are doing, as this can cause some parts of your operating system to stop working. When you stop, start, or restart a service, any dependent services are also affected, so you want to be careful here.