• Home
  • About 404TS
  • Contact

404 Tech Support

Where IT Help is Found

  • Articles
    • Code
    • Entertainment
    • Going Green
    • Hardware, Gadgets, and Products
    • Management
    • Network
    • News
    • Operating Systems
    • Security and Privacy
    • Software
    • System Administration
    • Talking Points
    • Tech Solutions
    • Web
    • Webmaster
  • Reviews
  • Media
    • Infographics
    • Videos
  • Tech Events
  • Tools
    • How do I find my IP address?
    • Browser and plugin tests
  • Get a Technical Consultation
You are here: Home / Articles / Tech Solutions / How to delete a service through the command line

How to delete a service through the command line

2013-01-16 by Jason

I was working on a client’s malware-infected computer earlier. After getting past the big infections, I was doing a more thorough spot-check and noticed some unwanted Browser Helper Objects (spyware) still latching on to Internet Explorer. They also had entries in the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs list. I told them to uninstall but it essentially did nothing. The files were left behind, registry entries were left behind, they still existed in Internet Explorer, and they even had Services running an application to check for updates.

I scoured the Registry for the remaining entries. This pointed me where to find the remnant files which I tried to delete. A few were unable to be deleted as they were in use. I checked the services and found the update service. I stopped the service and was able to delete the file but wasn’t content to let the service remain even if it was stopped and disabled.

You can get to Services through Computer Management or going to Start, Run and typing Services.msc. This gives you a list like below. You can sort by status, name, or startup type to try to identify what you are looking for and troubleshoot by stopping, starting, or restarting a service.

Windows Services

To delete the service, you must use an elevated command prompt. Go to Start and type CMD. Right click on Command Prompt and choose Run As Administrator. At the command prompt that you are given, run:

sc delete [ServiceName]

You can see the Service Name in the Services.msc window that we previously opened.

sc delete command

After running the command, you should receive a simple ‘Success’ confirmation that the service was deleted.

Obviously deleting services isn’t an everyday thing but it has its time and place. Deleting it through the above command makes it pretty easy. You can also do other service troubleshooting with the command such as starting and stopping services, including on remote computers. For more details on the sc command, from the command prompt, run: sc /?

Filed Under: Tech Solutions

Trending

  • Internet Explorer: A program on your computer has corrupted your default search provider setting.
    In Tech Solutions
  • Avast! 8 available with new features
    In Security and Privacy, Software
  • Accessing USB devices over the network with AnywhereUSB
    In Hardware, Gadgets, and Products

Latest Media Posts

Find Out Where To Download SNES ROMs

Find Out Where To Download SNES ROMs

Multifunctional Video Conversion Tools – Wondershare Video Converter

Multifunctional Video Conversion Tools – Wondershare Video Converter

  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Today Week Month All
  • How to ‘Unblock’ multiple files at a time with PowerShell How to 'Unblock' multiple files at a time with PowerShell
  • Increase IIS Private Memory Limit to improve WSUS availability Increase IIS Private Memory Limit to improve WSUS availability
  • Configure Outlook to recurring appointments for the last weekday of the month Configure Outlook to recurring appointments for the last weekday of the month
  • Read the Event Logs on Windows Server Core Read the Event Logs on Windows Server Core
  • SOLVED: “This modification is not allowed because the selection is locked.” SOLVED: "This modification is not allowed because the selection is locked."
  • 3d rendering circuit cloud for cloud computing technology Build and Deploy a Modern Web 3.0 Blockchain App in 2022
  • Telecom Application Development: When to Outsource Telecom Application Development: When to Outsource
  • Printer printing document wirelessly from mobile phone or smartphone wifi connection vector flat cartoon illustration, file air print on fax or ink jet via cellphone bluetooth modern design Why Your Business Needs Online Fax Services In 2022
  • 6 Best Ways to Protect Your Business Account 6 Best Ways to Protect Your Business Account
  • How to download videos from Instagram How to download videos from Instagram
Ajax spinner

Elevator Pitch

404 Tech Support documents solutions to IT problems, shares worthwhile software and websites, and reviews hardware, consumer electronics, and technology-related books.

Subscribe to 404TS articles by email.

Recent Posts

  • Build and Deploy a Modern Web 3.0 Blockchain App in 2022
  • Telecom Application Development: When to Outsource
  • Why Your Business Needs Online Fax Services In 2022

Search

FTC Disclaimer

404TechSupport is an Amazon.com affiliate; when you click on an Amazon link from 404TS, the site gets a cut of the proceeds from whatever you buy. This site also uses Skimlinks for smart monetization of other affiliate links.
Use of this site requires displaying and viewing ads as they are presented.

Copyright © 2022 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in