Delete a Service in Windows 11 or 10? That is how it works!

When you install apps or use Windows, so-called services executed.

Services are background tasks that run without user intervention. For example, apps create services to install updates in the background. The more apps you install, the more services are created in the background.

The result is an ever-increasing list of services running in the background can slow down your computer. It is not the case that if you delete apps, services are also deleted. At this point you can delete a service yourself.

It is important that you take the following into account when removing a service.

• If you delete a service responsible for a certain functionality, that functionality will no longer be available. For example, if you disable the Print Spooler service, you will no longer be able to print from your computer.
• Some services are crucial for the stable operation of the Windows operating system. Removing or disabling them may lead to system crashes or other unpredictable behavior.
• Many services have dependencies – that is, they require other services to also run. Disabling or removing a service can therefore affect other services that depend on it.
• Some services provide operating system security features. Disabling or removing them may make the system more vulnerable to attack or unauthorized access.
• In some cases, incorrectly modifying services can lead to data loss, especially if the service is involved in data processing or storage.
• If a service is disabled or removed, it can cause problems when you try to update Windows or specific software that depends on that service.

When considering removing a service, it's a good idea to do one first backup your system. Also make sure you clearly understand the function of the service and the consequences of removing it.

Uninstall service in Windows 11 or 10

Via sc.exe

To remove a service you can use “sc.exe”. This stands for “Service control manager”.

Open a Command Prompt as administrator. In the Command Prompt you can first get a list of all services with the command:

sc query

You will then see a list of all services on your computer. In this list you need the “service_name”. This is a short unique name for each service.

To then delete a service, type:

sc delete <service_name>

Replace by the service name from the “sc query” command.

You have now deleted a service in Windows 11 or 10.

Via AutoRuns

There is an easier way to delete a service. You can use SysInternals AutoRuns for this. This is a graphical interface that makes it easier to view and delete services with a single mouse click.

Download SysInternals Autoruns

Open AutoRuns and click on the “Services” tab. In the list of services, right-click the service you want to delete. Then click “Delete” or press CTRL + D to delete the service.

The great thing about AutoRuns is that it hides all essential Windows services and only shows third-party services. This reduces the risk of removing an essential service for the operation of Windows.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions:

What is a Windows Service?

A Windows Service is an application that runs in the background of your Windows operating system. This performs specific tasks or provides certain services without direct interaction with you as a user.

Why would I want to delete a service?

You might want to uninstall a service to free up system resources, reduce security risks, or because some software you were previously using is no longer needed and you want to uninstall the associated service.

How do I delete a service?

You can uninstall a service using the sc.exe command in a command prompt with administrative rights. Use the command sc delete [ServiceName].

Is removing a service dangerous?

Yes, it can be risky. Removing an essential Windows service may cause system instability or the loss of certain functionality. Always be careful and make sure you know what the service does before uninstalling it.

I received an error message when trying to delete a service. What now?

Make sure that you have entered the correct service name and that you have run the command prompt as an administrator. If you're still having problems, there may be a specific dependency or security policy preventing removal.

How can I see what services are currently running on my computer?

You can view the list of running services by clicking the services.msc command in the start menu or command prompt.

Can I restore a deleted service?

It depends. If it was a third-party service, you can probably fix it by reinstalling the associated software. If it was a built-in Windows service, you may want to consider doing a system restore or looking for specific instructions on how to restore that service.

Are there other tools then? sc.exe to manage services?

Yes, you can use the Services Management Console (services.msc) for a graphical interface, or other third-party tools available for managing Windows services.

I hope to have informed you with this. Thank you for reading!