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How to use the Event Viewer to troubleshoot problems with a Windows Service

A windows service, designed to run “headless” and unattended in the background, cannot easily employ conventional popup windows to report its activities as a user may not even be logged on. Instead, a service is encouraged to send important communication … Continue reading

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Essential Tools for Windows Services: SC.EXE

While the useful NET.EXE utility is great for starting an stopping windows services, it cannot do much beyond that. Enter Microsoft’s SC.EXE – a versatile command-line utility built into Windows that can help you start, stop, restart or configure any … Continue reading

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Essential Tools for Windows Services: Process Explorer

If you want to understand what’s really going on with the programs on your computer, then look no further than Microsoft’s excellent (and free) Process Explorer. Think of it as the “Task Manager on steroids”, with the ability to show … Continue reading

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Essential Tools for Windows Services: The NET Command

If you manage Windows Services and are comfortable working from the command line, then the Windows NET.EXE command should be in your toolkit. Use it to easily start, stop, pause or restart any service from an elevated command prompt, or … Continue reading

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Essential Tools for Windows Services: Services.msc

Hands down, the most important GUI utility for managing your Windows Services is Microsoft’s Services Control Panel Application — nicknamed “Services.msc” because it can be invoked with that command. This useful application (pictured below) lists every service installed on your … Continue reading

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