How to Start, Stop, Restart, Enable, and Disable Services in Windows 10
Services are an application type that runs in the system background without a user interface. Services provide core operating system features (such as printing, networking, remote access, File Explorer, Windows Search, updates, etc.) and apps to operate as intended.
This tutorial will show you how to start, stop, restart, enable, and disable services in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
- If you stop, start, or restart a service, any dependent services are also affected. Starting a service does not automatically restart its dependent services.
- Changing the default service settings may prevent key services from running correctly. It is especially important to use caution when changing the Startup type setting of services that are configured to start automatically.
- Some services, such as Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Event Log, and Plug and Play, cannot be stopped by using the Services snap-in window or the net stop command. These services are required for the operating system to function properly.
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 will be able to do a System Restore using the restore point to undo the changes.
If you disabled the wrong service and lost access to the computer, then try booting into Safe Mode to change the service back.
Black Viper’s Windows 10 Service Configurations
Contents
- Option One: To Start, Stop, and Disable Services in Services Window
- Option Two: To Start and Stop Services using net Command
- Option Three: To Start, Stop, and Disable Services using Sc Command
- Option Four: To Start, Stop, and Restart Services in Task Manager
- Option Five: To Start, Stop, and Disable Services in Registry Editor
- Option Six: To Check Status of Services in PowerShell
- Option Seven: To Start, Stop, Restart, Disable, and Enable Services in PowerShell
1 Do step 2 or step 3 below for how you would like to open the Services snap-in window.
2 Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, type services.msc into Run, press Enter, and go to step 4 below.
3 Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Administrative Tools icon, double click/tap on Services shortcut, close Administrative Tools, and go to step 4 below.
4 Do step 5 (stop), step 6 (enable/start), or step 7 (disable) below for what you would like to do. (see screenshots below)
Note
"Startup Type" for Service
- Automatic - 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) - 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.
- Automatic (Delayed Start, Trigger Start) - With a service in this state, it will start just after boot when specifically called.
- Manual (Trigger Start) - This is a version of Manual mode that allows Windows to start a service when specifically called and Microsoft’s answer to “too many services running all the time”.
- Manual - 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.
- Disabled - This setting will stop a service from starting, even if needed. Errors in the Event Viewer will show up complaining of that fact. Some services, while Disabled, will constantly complain. However, this situation is taken care of if placed in Manual. The service descriptions identifies those that should be in Manual vice Disabled.
![]()
![]()
A) Double click/tap on a service with a status of running that you want to stop. (see screenshot below step 4)
B) Click/tap on the Stop button, wait until the service status shows as stopped, and go to step 8 below. (see left screenshot below step 8)
A) Double click/tap on a service with no status that you want to start. (see screenshot below step 4)
B) If the Startup type of the service is set to Disabled, then you will need to change it to either Manual, Automatic, or Automatic (Delayed Start) first, and click/tap on Apply. (see right screenshot below step 8)
C) Click/tap on the Start button, and wait until the service status shows as running, and go to step 8 below. (see left screenshot below step 8)
A) Double click/tap on a service with that you want to disable. (see screenshot below step 4)
B) If the service shows a status of running, then click/tap on the Stop button, and wait until the service status shows as stopped. (see left screenshot below step 8)
C) Change the Startup type to Disabled, and go to step 8 below. (see right screenshot below step 8)
8 When finished, click/tap on OK, and close the Services window. (see screenshots below)
1 Open an elevated command prompt, and do step 2 (stop) or step 3 (start) below for what you would like to do.
A) Type either command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshots below)
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"
A) Type either command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
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.
1 Open an elevated command prompt, and do step 2 (stop), step 3 (disable), step 4 (enable), or step 5 (start) below for what you would like to do.
A) Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 6 below.
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"
A) Do step 2 above to stop the service, and return to continue with step 3B below.
B) Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 6 below.
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
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.
"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.
sc config "service name" start=demand
OR
sc config "service name" start=auto
OR
sc config "service name" start=delayed-auto
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) If you would like to start the service, then go to step 5 below. Other wise go to step 6 below.
A) If not already, you will need to enable the service using step 4 above first.
B) Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 6 below.
sc start "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"
6 When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt.
1 Open Task Manager, and click/tap on the Services tab. (see screenshot below)
2 Do step 3, step 4, or step 5 below for what you would like to do.
A) Right click or press and hold on a service (ex: HomeGroupListener), click/tap on Start, and go to step 6 below.
A) Right click or press and hold on a service (ex: HomeGroupListener), click/tap on Stop, and go to step 6 below.
You will not be able to restart a service if it is stopped. The service's status needs to show as "running" (start) before you will be able to restart it.
A) Right click or press and hold on a service (ex: HomeGroupListener), click/tap on Restart, and go to step 6 below.
6 When finished, you can close Task Manager if you like.
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 Service name you will need to use for the registry key in step 4 below.
2 Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.
3 If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
4 In Registry Editor, go to the location below: (see screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Service name
Substitute Service name in the location above with the actual service name from step 1 above.
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
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 Start for what you would like, then click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
Startup Type DWORD "Data" Value Automatic (Delayed Start) DelayedAutostart = 1
Start = 2Automatic DelayedAutostart = 0
Start = 2Manual DelayedAutostart = 0
Start = 3Disabled DelayedAutostart = 0
Start = 4
7 If needed, double click/tap on the DelayedAutostart DWORD to modify it's data value (0 or 1) to what's in the table above for what you want it set as, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
If the DelayedAutostart 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 DelayedAutostart, and press Enter to add it. If DelayedAutostart is not there, then it will be the same as it being set to 0 (zero).
8 When finished, close Registry Editor, and restart the computer to apply.
To see more usage options for the Get-Service command, see: Get-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
1 Open PowerShell.
2 Do step 3 (specific service) or step 4 (all services) below for what you would like to do.
A) Type the command below you want to use into PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 5. (see screenshot below)
Get-Service -Name "Service name" | Format-Table -Auto
OR
Get-Service -DisplayName "Display name" | Format-Table -Auto
For example:
If I wanted to check the current status of the HomeGroup Listener (Display name) or HomeGroupListener (Service name) service, I would type either command below exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.
Get-Service -Name "HomeGroupListener" | Format-Table -Auto
OR
Get-Service -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener" | Format-Table -Auto
A) Type the command below into PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 5. (see screenshot below)
Get-Service | Format-Table -Auto
5 When finished, you can close PowerShell if you like.
1 Open an elevated PowerShell.
2 Do step 3 (start), step 4 (stop), step 4 (restart), step 6 (disable), or step 7 (enable) below for what you would like to do.
To see more usage options for the Set-Service command, see: Set-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
To see more usage options for the Start-Service command, see: Start-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
A) Type the command below you want to use into PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)
Set-Service -Name "Service name" -Status Running
Set-Service -DisplayName "Display name" -Status Running
OR
Start-Service -Name "Service name"
Start-Service -DisplayName "Display name"
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.
Set-Service -Name "HomeGroupListener" -Status Running
Set-Service -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener" -Status Running
OR
Start-Service -Name "HomeGroupListener"
Start-Service -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener"
![]()
To see more usage options for the Set-Service command, see: Set-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
To see more usage options for the Stop-Service command, see: Stop-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
A) Type the command below you want to use into PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)
Set-Service -Name "Service name" -Status Stopped
Set-Service -DisplayName "Display name" -Status Stopped
OR
Stop-Service -Force -Name "Service name"
Stop-Service -Force -DisplayName "Display name"
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.
Set-Service -Name "HomeGroupListener" -Status Stopped
Set-Service -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener" -Status Stopped
OR
Stop-Service -Force -Name "HomeGroupListener"
Stop-Service -Force -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener"
![]()
To see more usage options for the Restart-Service command, see: Restart-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
A) Type the command below you want to use into PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)
Restart-Service -Force -Name "Service name"
OR
Restart-Service -Force -DisplayName "Display name"
For example:
If I wanted to restart the HomeGroup Listener (Display name) or HomeGroupListener (Service name) service, I would type either command below exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.
Restart-Service -Force -Name "HomeGroupListener"
OR
Restart-Service -Force -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener"
To see more usage options for the Set-Service command, see: Set-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
A) Type the command below you want to use into PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)
Set-Service -Name "Service name" -StartupType Disabled -Status Stopped
OR
Set-Service -DisplayName "Display name" -StartupType Disabled -Status Stopped
For example:
If I wanted to stop and disable the HomeGroup Listener (Display name) or HomeGroupListener (Service name) service, I would type either command below exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.
Set-Service -Name "HomeGroupListener" -StartupType Disabled -Status Stopped
OR
Set-Service -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener" -StartupType Disabled -Status Stopped
To see more usage options for the Set-Service command, see: Set-Service - Microsoft Developer Network
A) Type the command below you want to use into PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 8. (see screenshot below)
Set-Service -Name "Service name" -StartupType Manual
Set-Service -DisplayName "Display name" -StartupType Manual
OR
Set-Service -Name "Service name" -StartupType Automatic
Set-Service -DisplayName "Display name" -StartupType Automatic
Note
"Startup Type" for Service
- Manual - 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 - 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.
For example:
If I wanted to enable the HomeGroup Listener (Display name) or HomeGroupListener (Service name) service, I would type either command below exactly in the command prompt, and press Enter.
Set-Service -Name "HomeGroupListener" -StartupType Manual
Set-Service -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener" -StartupType Manual
OR
Set-Service -Name "HomeGroupListener" -StartupType Automatic
Set-Service -DisplayName "HomeGroup Listener" -StartupType Automatic
8 When finished, you can close PowerShell if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- How to Enable or Disable Scheduled Task in Windows 10
- How to Restore Default Services in Windows 10
- How to Delete a Service in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10
- How to Export List of Running and Stopped Services in Windows
- How to Add Services to Control Panel in Windows 7, 8, and 10