List Started Services from Command Line (Windows)

Managing Windows Services via the Command Line

Windows incorporates the Net utility, enabling interaction with the services panel directly from the command line interface. This tool allows administrators to control services, including initiating, halting, pausing, and resuming their operation.

Displaying a List of Running Services

Beyond basic control, the Net utility can also be employed to generate a comprehensive list of services currently active on a Windows system. Many users are unaware of this functionality.

The syntax for listing services is straightforward:

net start

Executing this command produces output similar to the following, though the specific services listed will differ depending on the system configuration:

These Windows services are started:
Adobe Active File Monitor
Adobe LM Service
Application Layer Gateway Service
Ati HotKey Poller
Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Bluetooth Service
Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service
COM+ Event System
Computer Browser
Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
DHCP Client
Distributed Link Tracking Client
DNS Client
Error Reporting Service
Event Log
FTP Publishing
Help and Support
HID Input Service
HP WMI Interface
IIS Admin
Infrared Monitor
Logical Disk Manager
Machine Debug Manager
Microsoft Search

The output provides a clear overview of the services that are presently running, offering valuable insight into system processes.

Understanding the Output

Each line in the output represents a distinct Windows service that has been successfully started. The names of the services provide clues about their respective functions.

This command-line approach offers a quick and efficient method for identifying active services without needing to navigate through the graphical user interface.