How to Manage Services Manually on Windows 10 & 11
Windows features numerous apps and programs that you interact with every day to work, play, and connect. However, many services run in the background to ensure that you enjoy a smooth and hassle-free computing experience.
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What Are Windows Services? When Do They Need to Be Managed?
Windows Services are like any other programs and applications running on your Windows PC, except that they don’t have any user interface like a screen or buttons. These services typically start when your PC is booting up and run in the background while you’re working on your computer.
Windows Services enable core system services like those used to update Windows and ensure security by keeping Windows Defender running smoothly. Other background services include those that manage printing, system audio, and network or Bluetooth connections.
Though they run independently and are managed well by your PC’s system, there might be times when you face problems with some Windows services. It could be when a service is not operating normally or might have turned off. Or you may want to turn it off due to its high CPU usage.
you may try getting them back to their normal functionality by starting or restarting them manually. Or you might have disabled some services earlier and want to restart them.
So let’s explore how you may manage Windows Services manually in two ways on Windows 10 and 11. To do so, you must be signed in as an Administrator on your device.
Also, it is better tocreate a system restore pointbefore making any changes to the services. So in case any error occurs, you can revert to the point before you made the changes.
How to Manage Services via the Service Control Manager
It’s easy to manage and enable or disable a service via the Services App or the Service Control Manager.
PressWindows + Rkeys together to open the Run box. Typeservices.mscand clickOKor hit enter to open the Service Control Manager.
Alternatively, just typeservicesin the search bar and click the app result underBest match. You canopen the Services App in other waystoo. Once it’s open, you will see all the Windows Services and third-party services listed in the app.
The Status of the services, along with their Startup Type will also be seen next to each service.
Nowdouble-clickon the service you want to make changes to—for example, Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service is highlighted in the screenshot below.
When youdouble-clickon the service, itsPropertieswindow will open. Here you can see the Service status and what action you can choose to take, likeStart,Stop,Pause, orResumethe service.
In the Service Properties, you could also specify the Startup Type of the service, which means that you can choose how the service will start when your PC boots up.
To do that, click the down arrow next toStartup typeand you will see four options:
How to Start a Service
If you want to start a service,double-clickthe service. If the Startup type of the service is disabled, then first you will need to change the Startup type to eitherAutomatic,Automatic (Delayed Start), orManual. Then clickApply.
Finally, click on theStartbutton, wait till the service status changes toRunning, and then clickOKand exit Services.
How to Stop or Disable a Service
To stop a service,double-clickthe service. If the service is running click on theStopbutton. The service status will change toStopped.
If you want to disable the service, change its Startup type toDisabledand clickApply. Finally, clickOKand exit Services.
Remember, if somehow a service is not getting stopped, it’s because some services are essential for Windows to run and they can’t be stopped.
And keep in mind, that default service settings are configured to keep key services running optimally. So changing them may prevent correct operation. Be cautious when changing the Startup type service settings that are configured to start automatically.
How to Manage Services Using the Task Manager
You can also manage Windows services using Task Manager. Here’s how:
To restart a stopped service ensure the service’s status is running—only then will you be able to restart it.
Though the Task Manager only displays the service name, and not the display name, you can know more about the service by reading its description written next to the name. For example, in the name section, you will seeAudiosrvbut the description will readWindows Audio.
You Can Manage Windows Services When You Need To
Windows services are programmed to run efficiently and they should start, stop, and restart automatically, if they need to, without you having to manage them.
However, you may want to delay the start up of a service. And some services could give trouble now and then, or even fail to start. In those times, you could use the Service Control Manager or the Task Manager to get services operating normally again.
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