System Enable and Disable Services in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable and disable services in Windows 11.

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.

Usually, Windows does a great job of automatically managing services, but sometimes you may need to manually enable or disable a service on demand.

• If you disable a service, any dependent services are also affected. Enabling 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.

Startup Type for services

• Automatic - A service in this state 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) - A service in this state 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) - A service in this state 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.

You must be signed in as an administrator to enable and disable services.

It is not recommended to disable services unless you know what they affect, and willing to accept the risks.

It is highly recommended 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 a service and lost access to the computer, then try booting into Safe Mode to enable the service.

1 Open Services (services.msc).

2 Double click/tap on the service (ex: "Windows Update") you want to enable or disable to open its properties page. (see screenshot below)


3 Do step 4 (enable) or step 5 (disable) below for what you want.














6 You can now close the Services console if you like.





1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Command Prompt.

2 Do step 3 (check state), step 4 (enable), or step 5 (disable) below for what you want.

For more Sc queryex command usage details, see: Sc queryex | Microsoft Docs

For more Sc config command usage details, see: Sc config | Microsoft Docs

For more Sc start command usage details, see: Sc start | Microsoft Docs

Substitute service name in the commands above with the service name (ex: "wuauserv") for the service (ex: "Windows Update") you want to enable.

For example: sc config "wuauserv" start=demand && sc start "wuauserv"

For more Sc config command usage details, see: Sc config | Microsoft Docs

For more Sc stop command usage details, see: Sc stop | Microsoft Docs

Substitute service name in the command above with the service name (ex: "wuauserv") for the service (ex: "Windows Update") you want to stop and disable.

For example: sc stop "wuauserv" && sc config "wuauserv" start=disabled

6 You can now close the elevated command prompt if you like.





1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Do step 3 (check status), step 4 (enable), or step 5 (disable) below for what you want.

For more Get-Service command usage details, see: Get-Service | Microsoft Docs

For more Set-Service command usage details, see: Set-Service | Microsoft Docs

Substitute service name in the commands above with the service name (ex: "wuauserv") for the service (ex: "Windows Update") you want to enable.

For example: Set-Service -Name "wuauserv" -StartupType Manual -Status Running

For more Set-Service command usage details, see: Set-Service | Microsoft Docs

Substitute service name in the command above with the service name (ex: "wuauserv") for the service (ex: "Windows Update") you want to stop and disable.

For example: Set-Service -Name "wuauserv" -StartupType Disabled -Status Stopped

6 You can now close the elevated PowerShell if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink