Windows Services Manager: How to Open and Use It Easily

Want to manage background processes in Windows? The Windows Services Manager is the tool you need.

Whether you’re troubleshooting an application, disabling unnecessary services, or trying to speed up your system, the Windows Services Manager helps you do it quickly and efficiently. In this guide, you’ll learn what it is, why it matters, and how to open it using several easy methods—including command line shortcuts and Control Panel options.

Table of Contents

• What Is Windows Services Manager?
• What Is Service Control Manager (SCM)?
• How to Open Windows Services Manager
  • 1. Open Services from the Start Menu
  • 2. Use the Run Dialog Box
  • 3. How to Open Services from CMD
  • 4. Use Windows Search
  • 5. Use Control Panel (Less Common)
• Windows Services Manager Shortcut
• What You Can Do with Windows Services Manager
• Important Windows Services You Should Know
• When to Use Windows Services Manager
• Real-World Use Cases for Windows Services Manager
• Important Note for Beginners
• Are There Alternatives?
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Windows Services Manager

What Is Windows Services Manager?

The Windows Services Manager tool is a built-in utility that enables users to view, start, stop, and configure services running in the background. These services control essential functions, such as Windows Update, network connectivity, printing, and more.

You can also use it to disable unnecessary services, troubleshoot errors, or improve system performance.

What Is Service Control Manager (SCM)?

The Service Control Manager (SCM) is a built-in Windows component that starts, stops, and manages system services. When your PC boots up, SCM launches services in the background—many of which are managed through it. This makes SCM the engine behind what you see in the Services window.

How to Open Windows Services Manager

There are multiple ways to open the Services window in Windows. Here are the easiest and most common methods:

1. Open Services from the Start Menu

• Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu, which gives you access to search and system tools.
• Type ‘services.msc’ into the search bar or Run dialog box.
• Once you’ve typed ‘services.msc’, hit Enter to launch it.

It will open the Services dialog box as displayed in the given image below.

You can start, stop, pause, resume, or restart the service by right-clicking on the service name as displayed in the image given below.

This is the quickest method for most users.

2. Use the Run Dialog Box

• Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, which allows you to quickly access system tools.
• In the Run dialog box that appears, type services.msc to initiate the command that opens the Services Manager interface.
• After typing services.msc, press Enter to launch the Services Manager window.

This method is fast and works on all Windows versions.

3. How to Open Services from CMD

To use the command line:

• Open the Command Prompt by searching for “cmd” in the Windows Start menu and clicking on the matching result.
• In the Command Prompt window, type services.msc and press Enter to launch the Services Manager directly from the command line.

This is how you use the command line option.

Pro Tip: Use the sc query <service_name> in CMD to check a service’s status from the command line.

4. Use Windows Search

• Press the Windows key on your keyboard to bring up the Start menu, where you can begin searching for system tools like the Services Manager.
• Type “Services” into the Start menu’s search bar, and you’ll see several matching options appear—look for the one labeled “Services” and proceed to open it.
• Click on the matching “Services” result from the list to launch it.

5. Use Control Panel (Less Common)

• Open the Control Panel by typing “Control Panel” into the Windows Search bar and selecting it from the results.

• In the Control Panel window, locate and click on “System and Security” to access system-related administrative settings.

• Within the System and Security section, scroll down and click on “Administrative Tools” to reveal a list of advanced system utilities.

• From the Administrative Tools window, locate and double-click on “Services” to launch the Windows Services Manager interface.

Doing so will open the Windows Services Manager dialog, where you can view, start, stop, or manage all available Windows services.

Windows Services Manager Shortcut

Would you like to create a shortcut on your desktop?

• Right-click anywhere on your desktop to open the context menu and begin creating a shortcut for quick access.
• From the context menu, hover over “New” and then click on “Shortcut” to start the shortcut creation process.

• In the location field that appears, type services.msc to set it as the target for the shortcut.
• After entering the location, click Next, and when prompted, type “Services Manager” as the name of your new shortcut.

• Finally, click Finish to create the shortcut, which will now appear on your desktop and can be used to quickly open the Windows Services Manager.

You now have a quick-access Windows Services Manager shortcut.

What You Can Do with Windows Services Manager

Here’s what you can manage using the Windows Services Manager tool:

• Start or stop services
• Set services to Automatic, Manual, or Disabled
• View service dependencies
• Check service descriptions

Important Windows Services You Should Know

• Windows Update (wuauserv)
• Print Spooler (spooler)
• DHCP Client (dhcp)
• Windows Time (w32time)

Use the manager to monitor or restart these if needed.

When to Use Windows Services Manager

You should consider using the Services Manager when:

• An app fails to start
• System boot time is too slow
• You want to disable unnecessary background services
• You’re troubleshooting network, printer, or update issues

Real-World Use Cases for Windows Services Manager

• Fixing print spooler issues when your printer doesn’t work
• Restarting Windows Update services if updates fail
• Disabling unnecessary services to speed up system boot
• Checking if critical services like DHCP or DNS are running
• These are everyday examples of how IT admins and users benefit from the tool.

The Windows Services Manager lets users start, stop, pause, or restart Windows services as needed. This tool is especially useful for IT professionals, developers, and testers managing system-level applications. If you’re working with automation tools like Selenium, understanding this is essential—read our Selenium tutorial for beginners to learn how services interact in automated environments.

Important Note for Beginners

Always be cautious when stopping or disabling services. Some are essential for Windows to function correctly. If unsure, look up the service name before making changes.

Are There Alternatives?

While Windows includes a native Services Manager, advanced users sometimes use tools like SrvMan or PowerShell scripts for automation. For most users, however, the built-in Windows Services Manager is more than sufficient.

Conclusion

The Windows Services Manager is an essential tool for managing what runs in the background on your PC. You can open it easily using the command line, Run box, or desktop shortcut. With great power comes responsibility—be sure to stop or disable only what you understand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Windows Services Manager

What is the Windows Services Manager used for?

Windows Services Manager helps you manage system services—start, stop, pause, or configure them from a central interface.

How do I open Windows Services Manager using the Run dialog?

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. This will launch the Services Manager.

Is there a shortcut to open the Windows Services Manager?

Yes. You can create a desktop shortcut by entering services.msc as the shortcut path and naming it “Services Manager.”

Can I open the Services Manager from the Command Prompt?

Yes, you can type services.msc in the Command Prompt and press Enter to open it.

What to do if a service fails to start?

You can check the service properties for dependencies, event logs for errors, or try restarting your system. If needed, run CMD as an administrator.