Alternative to mmc.exe for managing Services?

[Mister Brian]

Is there one? mmc should have radio buttons for Automatic, Manual, Disabled, for example. Real descriptions of each service, rather than vague threats, would also be appreciated.

[oldgoat43]

Is there one? mmc should have radio buttons for Automatic, Manual, Disabled, for example. Real descriptions of each service, rather than vague threats, would also be appreciated.

What OS are you using. Some basic info would sure be helpful.

If you're using windows XP, the correct program for working with the Services is:

services.msc

Just type that into the RUN box above the START button and press ENTER.

It gives you all the info you mentioned.

Good Luck,

OG

[Mister Brian]

Vista, XP, 2000. Running services.msc calls mmc.exe, which isn't a nice program to work with. It takes six clicks to set a service to Auto, Man, Disabled. There's no reason it couldn't be one click.

That comment I made about service descriptions refers to the ones whose description is "If you disable this service, any programs that rely on this service will be unable to start...".

[Jeremy]

Sysinternals' ServiWin.exe

Although, I don't think it works on Vista.

Edited March 3, 2007 by Jeremy

[cluberti]

Or the built-in sc.exe, in XP, 2003, Vista, and Longhorn.

C:\>sc
DESCRIPTION:
		SC is a command line program used for communicating with the
		Service Control Manager and services.
USAGE:
		sc <server> [command] [service name] <option1> <option2>...


		The option <server> has the form "\\ServerName"
		Further help on commands can be obtained by typing: "sc [command]"
		Commands:
		  query-----------Queries the status for a service, or
						  enumerates the status for types of services.
		  queryex---------Queries the extended status for a service, or
						  enumerates the status for types of services.
		  start-----------Starts a service.
		  pause-----------Sends a PAUSE control request to a service.
		  interrogate-----Sends an INTERROGATE control request to a service.
		  continue--------Sends a CONTINUE control request to a service.
		  stop------------Sends a STOP request to a service.
		  config----------Changes the configuration of a service (persistent).
		  description-----Changes the description of a service.
		  failure---------Changes the actions taken by a service upon failure.
		  qc--------------Queries the configuration information for a service.
		  qdescription----Queries the description for a service.
		  qfailure--------Queries the actions taken by a service upon failure.
		  delete----------Deletes a service (from the registry).
		  create----------Creates a service. (adds it to the registry).
		  control---------Sends a control to a service.
		  sdshow----------Displays a service's security descriptor.
		  sdset-----------Sets a service's security descriptor.
		  GetDisplayName--Gets the DisplayName for a service.
		  GetKeyName------Gets the ServiceKeyName for a service.
		  EnumDepend------Enumerates Service Dependencies.

		The following commands don't require a service name:
		sc <server> <command> <option>
		  boot------------(ok | bad) Indicates whether the last boot should
						  be saved as the last-known-good boot configuration
		  Lock------------Locks the Service Database
		  QueryLock-------Queries the LockStatus for the SCManager Database
EXAMPLE:
		sc start MyService

[Mister Brian]

Thanks, Jeremy, that's exactly what I was looking for. That's a beautiful program. I've added it to my toolbox.

Cluberti, that's an interesting command. Not particularly usable, though; I'd have to look up the proper name of each Service. Maybe if I were scripting.

[jondercik]

I believe you can also use the long name in quotes. A better solution for you may be to write your own tool that will do things the way you want to.