How to use the command Set-Service (with examples)
The Set-Service command in PowerShell is used to start, stop, and suspend services, as well as change their properties. It is a powerful command that allows users to manage services on their Windows systems. In this article, we will explore three common use cases of the Set-Service command.
Use case 1: Change a display name
Code:
Set-Service -Name hostname -DisplayName "name"
Motivation:
Changing the display name of a service can be helpful when you want to make it more descriptive or meaningful. It can also help in improving the readability and understanding of the services running on your system.
Explanation:
- -Name: specifies the name of the service to be modified.
- -DisplayName: specifies the new display name for the service.
Example output:
If we want to change the display name of a service called “hostname” to “My Service”, we can use the following command:
Set-Service -Name hostname -DisplayName "My Service"
This will change the display name of the “hostname” service to “My Service”.
Use case 2: Change the startup type of services
Code:
Set-Service -Name service_name -StartupType Automatic
Motivation:
Changing the startup type of a service can be useful when you want a particular service to start automatically when your system boots up. By setting the startup type to “Automatic”, you ensure that the service is always running and available when needed.
Explanation:
- -Name: specifies the name of the service to be modified.
- -StartupType: specifies the new startup type for the service.
Example output:
If we want to change the startup type of a service called “MyService” to “Automatic”, we can use the following command:
Set-Service -Name MyService -StartupType Automatic
This will change the startup type of the “MyService” service to “Automatic”.
Use case 3: Change the description of a service
Code:
Set-Service -Name service_name -Description "description"
Motivation:
Changing the description of a service can help in providing additional information about its purpose, functionality, or any special considerations. This can be especially useful when documenting or troubleshooting services on your system.
Explanation:
- -Name: specifies the name of the service to be modified.
- -Description: specifies the new description for the service.
Example output:
If we want to change the description of a service called “MyService” to “This service handles data synchronization”, we can use the following command:
Set-Service -Name MyService -Description "This service handles data synchronization"
This will change the description of the “MyService” service to “This service handles data synchronization”.
Conclusion:
The Set-Service command in PowerShell is a versatile tool for managing services on Windows systems. By using this command, you can easily change the display name, startup type, and description of services, allowing for greater control and customization.
