Set-Service

Syntax

Set-Service
   [-ComputerName <String[]>]
   [-Name] <String>
   [-DisplayName <String>]
   [-Description <String>]
   [-StartupType <ServiceStartMode>]
   [-Status <String>]
   [-PassThru]
   [-WhatIf]
   [-Confirm]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Set-Service
   [-ComputerName <String[]>]
   [-DisplayName <String>]
   [-Description <String>]
   [-StartupType <ServiceStartMode>]
   [-Status <String>]
   [-InputObject <ServiceController>]
   [-PassThru]
   [-WhatIf]
   [-Confirm]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Set-Service cmdlet changes the properties of a service such as the Status, Description, DisplayName, and StartupType. Set-Service can start, stop, suspend, or pause a service. To identify a service, enter its service name or submit a service object. Or, send a service name or service object down the pipeline to Set-Service.

Examples

Example 1: Change a display name

In this example, a service's display name is changed. To view the original display name, use Get-Service.

Set-Service -Name LanmanWorkstation -DisplayName "LanMan Workstation"

Set-Service uses the Name parameter to specify the service's name, LanmanWorkstation. The DisplayName parameter specifies the new display name, LanMan Workstation.

Example 2: Change the startup type of services

This example shows how to change a service's startup type.

Set-Service -Name BITS -StartupType Automatic
Get-Service BITS | Select-Object -Property Name, StartType, Status

Name  StartType   Status
----  ---------   ------
BITS  Automatic  Running

Set-Service uses the Name parameter to specify the service's name, BITS. The StartupType parameter sets the service to Automatic.

Get-Service uses the Name parameter to specify the BITS service and sends the object down the pipeline. Select-Object uses the Property parameter to display the BITS service's status.

Example 3: Change the description of a service

This example changes the BITS service's description and displays the result.

The Get-CimInstance cmdlet is used because it returns a Win32_Service object that includes the service's Description.

Get-CimInstance Win32_Service -Filter 'Name = "BITS"'  | Format-List  Name, Description

Name        : BITS
Description : Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is
              disabled, then any applications that depend on BITS, such as Windows Update or MSN
              Explorer, will be unable to automatically download programs and other information.

Set-Service -Name BITS -Description "Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth."
Get-CimInstance Win32_Service -Filter 'Name = "BITS"' | Format-List  Name, Description

Name        : BITS
Description : Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth.

Get-CimInstance sends the object down the pipeline to Format-List and displays the service's name and description. For comparison purposes, the command is run before and after the description is updated.

Set-Service uses the Name parameter to specify the BITS service. The Description parameter specifies the updated text for the services' description.

Example 4: Start a service

In this example, a service is started.

Set-Service -Name WinRM -Status Running -PassThru

Status   Name               DisplayName
------   ----               -----------
Running  WinRM              Windows Remote Management (WS-Manag...

Set-Service uses the Name parameter to specify the service, WinRM. The Status parameter uses the value Running to start the service. The PassThru parameter outputs a ServiceController object that displays the results.

Example 5: Suspend a service

This example uses the pipeline to pause to service.

Get-Service -Name Schedule | Set-Service -Status Paused

Get-Service uses the Name parameter to specify the Schedule service, and sends the object down the pipeline. Set-Service uses the Status parameter to set the service to Paused.

Example 6: Stop a service

This example uses a variable to stop a service.

$S = Get-Service -Name Schedule
Set-Service -InputObject $S -Status Stopped

Get-Service uses the Name parameter to specify the service, Schedule. The object is stored in the variable, $S. Set-Service uses the InputObject parameter and specifies the object stored $S. The Status parameter sets the service to Stopped.

Parameters

Inputs

System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController, System.String

You can use the pipeline to send a service object or a string that contains a service name to Set-Service.

Outputs

ServiceController

By default, Set-Service doesn't return any objects. Use the PassThru parameter to output a ServiceController object.

Notes

Set-Service requires elevated permissions. Use the Run as administrator option.

Set-Service can only control services when the current user has permissions to manage services. If a command doesn't work correctly, you might not have the required permissions.

To find a service's service name or display name, use Get-Service. The service names are in the Name column and the display names are in the DisplayName column.

Related Links

• Get-Service
• New-Service
• Restart-Service
• Resume-Service
• Start-Service
• Stop-Service
• Suspend-Service