Windows 7: Services - Start or Disable

   Information

Services are a computer program or process that runs in the background and provides support to other programs in Windows 7. This will show you how to start or disable a Windows 7 service of your choice.

For more information on each service, see: Standard Windows 7 Services Svchost.exe

You must be logged in as an administrator to start or disable Servces.

   Note

If you want to cut down the overhead of what is running in the background and speed Windows 7 up some, then only disable the services you do not use. If you disable a service that you need or use, then it could actually lower your computer's performance. The Services apply to all users on the computer.

   Tip

Windows 7 Services Advice Guide:

The Windows 7 and Windows 7 SP1 Service Configurations by Black Viper site below will show you all of the default services and explain each service with different levels of recommendations for disabling the service or not. You will just need to know what you will or will not use on your computer.

• Black Viper’s Windows 7 Service Configurations | Black Viper's Website | www.blackviper.com
• Black Viper’s Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Service Configurations | Black Viper's Website | www.blackviper.com

   Warning

It is highly recommended that you create a restore point before making changes to the services. This way if you make a mistake that cripples your computer, you can do a System Restore using the restore point to undo the changes.

Adjusting service settings requires you to have a deep understanding of what the service is for, what it affects, and what your needs are. If you don't fully understand all of this, then playing with services can really mess up your Windows installation, and possibly your day.

If you disabled the wrong service and lost access to the computer, then try booting into Safe Mode from Advanced Boot Options to change the service back.

OPTION ONE

To Start, Stop, and Disable Services in "Services" Window

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click on the Administrative Tools icon, click on Services, and go to step 3 below.

OR

2. Open the Start Menu, type services.msc in the search box, press Enter, and go to step 3 below. (See screenshot below)

3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

4. Right click on the service you want to disable or start and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)

5. To Disable a Service
NOTE: See the guide in the TIP box at the top of the tutorial to help decide.

A) Click on the Stop button and wait a sec for the service to stop. (See screenshots below step 7)

B) Next to Startup type, click on the drop down menu and select Disable. (See screenshots below step 7)

C) Click on the Apply button. (See screenshots below step 7)
NOTE: If the service will not stop and gives a error, then you will need to restart the computer to stop it after you set it to Disabled and clicked on OK.

D) Go to step 7.

6. To Start a Service
NOTE: See the guide in the TIP box at the top of the tutorial to help decide.

A) Next to Startup type, click on the drop down menu and select Automatic or Manual and click Apply. (See screenshots below step 7)

B) Click on the Start button. (See screenshots below step 7)
NOTE: If the Start option is grayed out and will not start, then you will need to restart the computer to start it after you set it to Automatic and clicked OK.

7. Click on OK. (See screenshots below)

8. Close the Services window.
NOTE: You may need to restart the computer for the changes to the services to take affect.

OPTION TWO

To Start and Stop Services using "net" Commands

1. Open an elevated command prompt, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Stop a Service using "Net Stop" Command in Command Prompt

A) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, press Enter, and go to step 4 below.
NOTE: The Display name of a service is the name displayed in the Services snap-in window, and in the service's properties.

net stop "service name"

OR

net stop "display name of service"





For example:
If I wanted to stop the HomeGroup Listener (display name) or HomeGroupListener (service name) service, I would type either command below exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.

net stop "HomeGroup Listener"

OR

net stop "HomeGroupListener"

3. To Start a Service using "Net Start" Command in Command Prompt

A) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, press Enter, and go to step 4 below.
NOTE: The Display name of a service is the name displayed in the Services snap-in window, and in the service's properties.

net start "service name"

OR

net start "display name of service"


For example:
If I wanted to start the HomeGroup Listener (display name) or HomeGroupListener (service name) service, I would type either command below exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.

net start "HomeGroup Listener"

OR

net start "HomeGroupListener"

4. When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt.

OPTION THREE

To Start, Stop, and Disable Services using "Sc" Commands

1. Open an elevated command prompt, and do step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Stop a Service using "Sc Stop" Command in Command Prompt

A) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below.
NOTE: The Service name of a service is displayed in the service's properties.

sc stop "service name"





For example:
If I wanted to stop the HomeGroup Listener service, I would type the command below using the HomeGroupListener (service name) exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.


sc stop "HomeGroupListener"

3. To Disable a Service using "Sc Config" Command in Command Prompt

A) Do step 2 above to stop the service.

B) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below.
NOTE: The Service name of a service is displayed in the service's properties.

sc config "service name" start=disabled


For example:
If I wanted to disable the HomeGroup Listener service, I would type the command below using the HomeGroupListener (service name) exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.


sc config "HomeGroupListener" start=disabled

4. To Start/Enable a Service using "Sc Start" & "Sc Config" Commands

A) If the Startup type of the service is set to Disabled, then in the elevated command prompt, type the command below using the startup type you want to set instead, and press Enter.
NOTE: The Service name of a service is displayed in the service's properties.

sc config "service name" start=demand

or

sc config "service name" start=auto

or

sc config "service name" start=delayed-auto

   Note

"Startup Type" for Service

• Manual (demand) - Manual mode allows Windows to start a service when needed. However, very few services will start up when required in Manual mode. If you find you need a service, place it into Automatic.
• Automatic (auto) - With a service in this state, it will start at boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled.
• Automatic (Delayed Start) (delayed-auto) - With a service in this state, it will start just after boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled.

For example:
If I wanted to set the startup type for the HomeGroup Listener service to Manual, I would type the command below using the HomeGroupListener (service name) exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.


sc config "HomeGroupListener" start=demand

B) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below using the same service name from step 4A above, press Enter, and go to step 5 below.

sc stop "service name"


For example:
If I wanted to start the HomeGroup Listener service, I would type the command below using the HomeGroupListener (service name) exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.


sc start "HomeGroupListener"

5. When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt.