Quick question about Services.

Hey, all.

I often have to change the startup type of a number of services on different machines, which quite frankly, is quite time-consuming and dull. Basically, I'd like to be able to automate this process, with the use of something like a .bat, or a .reg file, for example.

I've looked into it a little, but I only found information on how to stop the services, not change the startup type. Any insight into whether this is possible would be appreciated. :)

Thanks,
Tom.

DeaconFrost said:

You have very very little to gain and MUCH to lose when messing with services. There's a simple phrase for tweaking Windows 7: Leave it alone.

Not true if you know what you're doing. Out of the box, there are some services that don't need to be running, and even if you disable one that you shouldn't have, it's easy enough just to re-enable it.
Black Viper’s Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Service Configurations | Black Viper's Website | www.blackviper.com
Great guide on services for Windows 7. The proprietor of the website above used to have registry files that you could import to automate the process of slimming down services, it doesn't look like he has them for Windows 7 though. XP was the last I saw.

If you want to modify services, use the sc command (in a .cmd or .vbs) or write a powershell script (.ps1) to do it. I would agree with Deacon though - there are very few services on a Windows 7 machine that need messing with even with users who are the most control freakish. This is similar to trying to defragment every single file on disk in perfect ways to achieve 0% fragmentation - it's no longer actually beneficial, it's just satisfying an obsessive-compulsive desire at that point.

DeaconFrost said:

If I can offer you any friendly advice, delete that site from your Favorites, and forget everything you were told there.

Duly noted, though it does provide information for what each service is/does in a neat and orderly list, so I'll still link to it providing the post is appropriate to the need... Even if it does mean being banned from a forum.

cluberti said:

it's just satisfying an obsessive-compulsive desire at that point.

Yes, I do have an obsessive compulsive desire to control my computer.

If you want to inflict pain upon yourself, then be sure to mess around with the services.

Leave them alone.

That said, if you absolutely insist upon shooting yourself in the foot, then:

BEFORE CHANGING ANY SERVICES CREATE A SYSTEM RESTORE POINT.

You will need it.

Now that I've cautioned you:
Stay away from the Viper.

Here is a link from a professional regarding changing the status of various services.

Windows 7 Default Services and Suggested Startup Mode