
The sc.exe
(Service Control) command is a powerful tool that allows administrators to manage Windows services from the command line. With this command, you can create, configure, delete, start, stop, and query services, making it an essential tool for IT professionals who need to manage Windows services efficiently across multiple machines or networks.
What is the sc.exe
Command?
The sc.exe
command is a Windows utility that allows users to manage services via the command line. It provides comprehensive control over services, enabling tasks such as service creation, modification, deletion, and querying. This tool is especially useful for system administrators who manage multiple services across networks or machines and need to automate service management tasks.
Key Uses of the sc.exe
Command
- Service Creation and Deletion: Create new services or remove unneeded ones.
- Service Configuration: Modify existing service settings such as startup types or binary paths.
- Service Status Monitoring: Check the current state (running, stopped, paused) of services.
- Service Start/Stop: Easily start, stop, or restart services through the command line.
How to Use the sc.exe
Command
The sc.exe
command can be used with various subcommands to manage services effectively. Below is the basic syntax.
Basic Syntax
sc.exe [subcommand] [service name] [options]
How to Configure Services Using sc.exe config
The sc.exe config
command allows you to modify the settings of an existing service.
Syntax
sc.exe config <service name> <options>
Option | Description |
---|---|
start= | Defines how the service starts: auto , demand , or disabled . |
binpath= | Specifies the executable path for the service. |
displayname= | Sets the display name for the service. |
obj= | Specifies the account under which the service runs. |
Example 1: Set a Service to Start Automatically
sc.exe config MyService start=auto
Explanation: This command sets MyService
to start automatically at boot.
Example 2: Change the Binary Path for a Service
sc.exe config MyService binpath="C:\Program Files\MyService\myservice.exe"
Explanation: Updates the binary path for MyService
to point to a new executable file.
How to Create Services Using sc.exe create
The sc.exe create
command is used to create a new service on a Windows system.
Syntax
sc.exe create <service name> binpath="<path to executable>" [options]
Option | Description |
---|---|
binpath= | Specifies the path to the service’s executable. |
start= | Defines the service start type: auto , demand , or disabled . |
Example: Create a New Service
sc.exe create MyNewService binpath="C:\Program Files\MyNewService\service.exe" start=auto
Explanation: Creates a new service called MyNewService
and sets it to start automatically.
How to Delete Services Using sc.exe delete
The sc.exe delete
command is used to remove an existing service from the system.
Syntax
sc.exe delete <service name>
Example: Delete a Service
sc.exe delete MyService
Explanation: Deletes the MyService
from the system.
How to Query Services Using sc.exe query
The sc.exe query
command lets you check the current status of services, including whether they are running, stopped, or paused.
Syntax
sc.exe query <service name>
Example 1: Query the Status of a Specific Service
sc.exe query MyService
Explanation: Displays the current status of MyService
.
Example 2: Query the Status of All Services
sc.exe query state=all
Explanation: Lists the status of all services on the system.
Practical Use Cases for the sc.exe
Command
- Automated Service Monitoring and Management: Use scripts that leverage the
sc.exe
command to periodically monitor and control the state of critical services. - System Troubleshooting: When services malfunction, the
sc.exe query
command helps diagnose the issue by displaying service states, errors, and potential conflicts. - Batch Management of Services: Combine
sc.exe
commands in batch files to start or stop multiple services at once, or to configure them across many machines in a network environment.
Precautions When Using the sc.exe
Command
- Administrator Privileges: To manage services using
sc.exe
, you need to run the command prompt with administrative privileges. Right-click the command prompt and select “Run as administrator.” - Service Name Accuracy: Ensure that the service names are entered correctly to avoid inadvertently altering or deleting important system services.
Conclusion
The sc.exe
command is a highly useful tool for managing Windows services through the command line. It enables administrators to automate service management tasks, such as service creation, modification, deletion, and status checking, improving the efficiency of system management. Whether you’re managing services for a single machine or across a network, sc.exe
simplifies Windows service management and troubleshooting.

Thank you for reading!
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