Services - Customize View of Window

How to Customize and Save the View in the Services Window in Windows 7

   Information
This will show you how to save changes made to the icons size, add or remove columns, and customize the view in the Services window in Windows 7.

EXAMPLE: Services window
Services.jpg




Here's How:
1. For a New Custom Services Window
A) In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32, right click on services.msc, and click on Author.

B) Go to step 3.
2. To Save Changes to an Existing Custom Services Window
A) In Windows Explorer, navigate to where you previously saved the existing custom Services window to at step 8B below, right click on it, and click on Author.
3. Make any changes you like to the Services window size, left pane width, and to show Extended or Standard view in the right pane. (see screenshot below)
Services.jpg
4. Click on View (Menu bar). (see screenshot below)
View_Menu.jpg
5. To Change the Display Size of the Icons
NOTE: This will be for the items (Services) under the Name column.
A) Click on the icon size you want displayed in the Services window. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: This will be the Large Icons, Small Icons, List, or Detail view.
6. To Add or Remove Columns
A) Click on Add/Remove Columns. (See screenshot below step 4)

B) Select a column you want to add (left box) or remove (right box), and click on the Add or Remove button in the middle. (See screenshot below)
Columns.jpg
C) When done, click on OK. (See screenshot above)
7. To Customize the View
A) Click on Customize. (See screenshot below step 3)

B) Check the items you want to add, and uncheck the items you want removed. (See screenshot below)
Customize_View.jpg
C) When done, click on OK. (See screenshot above)
8. For a New Custom Services Window
A) When you are done with changing the Services window to how you like, click on File (Menu bar) and Save As.

B) Navigate to and select the folder for where you would like to save this custom Services window at, then click on Save.
Save_As.jpg
C) Go to step 10.
9. To Save Changes to an Existing Custom Services Window
A) When you are done with changing the Services window to how you like, click on File (Menu bar) and Save.
10. Whenever you open this custom Services window, the changes you made will still be there.
That's it,
Shawn




 
Last edited:

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"Any changes made will just be reset back to the default view when you open the Services window next."

It would be better if they stayed. Here's how to do that:

Open Windows Explorer, go to the WINDOWS\system32 directory, and right-click on the services.msc file. One of the options should be "Author". Select that option and services.msc will open in Author mode. Now make all the changes you need to make to the display, and when you exit services.msc, you will be asked if you want to save the changes. Select Yes, and services.msc will now always open using your new customized view settings. (You can also simply click File and then Save at any time to save your changes.)

You can then replace the services.msc file on all your computers with this revised version.

Note that on my computer I had to edit WINDOWS\system32\en-US\services.msc to get the changes to stick. If you get in-use errors when you try to save changes, use Unlocker available at Unlocker - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Downloads
 

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I like my keyboard because it has the 6 on the right side of the keyboard, not the left like the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboards.

With a monitor as big as mine, I work out of a recliner.

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Hello Lifeboat, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Thank you. The tutorial has been updated for this. :)
 

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ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
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Integrated
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2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
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TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
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Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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Thermaltake Core P3
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Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
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2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
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Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Here is a sure way to customize the Services Control Panel applet and ensure the changes will stick.

Go to C:\Windows\System32\ and create a clone of the services.msc file (e.g. call the cloned file services2.msc).

Open the newly cloned services2.msc file and customize it as desired. Save the changes.

Create a shortcut from the services2.msc file and rename the shortcut Services.

Copy/Paste the newly created Services shortcut to the ‘C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools’ folder (replacing the existing Services shortcut).

This will force Services in the Start Menu and Control Panel to point to your customized services2.msc file.
 

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Windows 7 Home Premium
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Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939
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4048 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
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Asus EN9600GSO [nVIDIA GeForce 9600 GSO (384 MB)]
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Creative SB X-Fi Sound Card
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Sansum SyncMaster 215TW/216TW
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Seagate Barracuda ST3250824AS
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CM Stacker
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Standard case, CPU and PSU cooling fans
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