Services - Start or Disable

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    Services - Start or Disable

    Services - Start or Disable

    How to Start or Disable Services in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Start or Disable Services in Windows 7

       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.
       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.




    CONTENTS:
    • Option One: To Start, Stop, and Disable Services in "Services" Window
    • Option Two: To Start and Stop Services using "net" Commands
    • Option Three: To Start, Stop, and Disable Services using "Sc" Commands
    • Option Four: To Start, Stop, and Disable Services in Registry Editor





    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)
    Services - Start or Disable-start_menu.jpg
    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)
    Services - Start or Disable-services.jpg
    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)
    Services - Start or Disable-properties-1.jpgServices - Start or Disable-properties-2.jpg
    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"


    Services - Start or Disable-name.jpg


    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"


    Services - Start or Disable-cmd_stop.jpg
    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"


    Services - Start or Disable-cmd_start.jpg
    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"


    Services - Start or Disable-name.jpg


    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"


    Services - Start or Disable-sc_stop.jpg
    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


    Services - Start or Disable-sc_disabled.jpg
    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


    Services - Start or Disable-sc_config.jpg
    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"


    Services - Start or Disable-sc_start.jpg
    5. When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt.



    OPTION FOUR

    To Start, Stop, and Disable Services in Registry Editor

    1. First, open services.msc and double click/tap on the service to see what the "Service name" is for the service. This will be the name of the registry key for the service in step 4 below.
    Services - Start or Disable-name.jpg
    2. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.

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

    4. In Registry Editor, go to the location below: (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: Substitute Service name in the location below with the actual service name from step 1 above.
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Service name


    For example: The "Service name" for the HomeGroup Listener service is HomeGroupListener, so I would go to this location in the registry.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HomeGroupListener


    Services - Start or Disable-services_registry-1.jpg
    5. In the left pane of the Service name (ex: HomeGroupListener), double click on the Start DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot below)

    6. Type in a data value from the table below for what you would like to do, then click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
    Services - Start or Disable-services_registry-2.jpg

    Startup Type DWORD "Data" Value
    Automatic (Delayed Start) DelayedAutostart = 1
    Start = 2
    Automatic DelayedAutostart = 0
    Start = 2
    Manual DelayedAutostart = 0
    Start = 3
    Disabled DelayedAutostart = 0
    Start = 4
    7. If needed, double click on the DelayedAutostart DWORD to modify it's data value (0 or 1) to what's in the table above for what you want set, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: If the DelatedAutostart DWORD is not there, then you can right click on an empty area in the right pane, click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value, type DelatedAutostart, and press Enter to add it. If DelatedAutostart is not there, then it will be the same as it being set to 0 (zero).
    Services - Start or Disable-services_registry-3.jpg
    8. When finished, close Registry Editor, and restart PC to apply.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink





  1. Posts : 20
    Windows 2000
       #1

    So now that we know the "How", here is a good guide IMO as to the "What" services to manipulate. The guy goes by the handle Black Viper, and he has shared the fruits of his labors, we just can confirm further as to its applicability.

    The link is Windows 7 Service Configurations by Black Viper.

    As I mentioned before on another site, my RAM usage went down by 100 MB after the "Tweaks" provided. Perhaps -100 MB is a good mod or is it negligible who can say? But anyway my great THANKS to the author.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Thank you Pogi, but it was already included in the yellow TIP box at the top.

    Thank you for sharing and confirming your results with Black Viper's suggestions though. :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 234
    Vista H.P. SP1 x32 Seven RC x64
       #3

    NOTE: You may need to restart the computer for the changes to the services to take affect.
    I never had to restart for that.

    But Disabling directly a service can be dangerous. A good step is the set it to "Manual" and Stop it with the "Stop" Buttons. If something need this service it allways can be loaded... only if it's needed.

    Since win2k I prefere set to manual than Disable, it's safer and do the same thing for most of them.
    Only a few service (like Adobe "Bonjour" or "Googleupdater", or firewall if you allready have one other) can be salfy disabled
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hi LePoilu,

    That note is usually just for those services that will not start for whatever reason normally though, but setting them to Automatic and restarting the computer allows them to start again. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 234
    Vista H.P. SP1 x32 Seven RC x64
       #5

    Hi

    Brink said:
    That note is usually just for those services that will not start for whatever reason normally though

    Ok, I tought it was for a "good stop" of the services

    Checking dependencies can sometimes explain why a service can not be stop or launch.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 20
    Windows 2000
       #6

    Brink said:
    Thank you Pogi, but it was already included in the yellow TIP box at the top.

    Thank you for sharing and confirming your results with Black Viper's suggestions though. :)
    I stand corrected!

    LePoilu said:
    I never had to restart for that.

    But Disabling directly a service can be dangerous. A good step is the set it to "Manual" and Stop it with the "Stop" Buttons. If something need this service it allways can be loaded... only if it's needed.
    I more than agree with this approach. Because now I cannot use the WiFi. Help!!!!
    Last edited by Brink; 14 Apr 2009 at 10:58.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Always welcomed though guys. :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,003
    Win7 Ultimate x64 on Desktop / Win7 Ultimate x86 on laptop / Win7 x86 Starter on Netbook
       #8

    Thanks Shawn,
    I had turned some of them off, but this info showed me even more. :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    You're welcome Romulinx. :)
      My Computer


 
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