Services Suite, Better Windows Services Management

Martin Brinkmann
Sep 4, 2010
Software, Windows, Windows software
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14

Most Windows users who manage the services of their operating system do that either in MSConfig or in the Services management console. The latter offers descriptions and additional information that the System Configuration tool does not offer. Still, both applications lump all services together in one big list, which makes the configuration process tedious.

The free Windows software Services Suite offers a in many aspects better solution. The program lists the services based on their state. Services are sorted in the three columns automatic, manual and deactivated which aids in the identification process.

Even better is the option to change a startup state by simply dragging and dropping a service into another column. No more right-clicking or double-clicking to perform that operation.

services suite
services suite

A right-click on a service offers options to open its Registry key, and to start or stop it. This is however only possible of the service is set to manual or automatic. Deactivated services cannot be started, unless their state is changed to manual or automatic first.

One interesting feature of Services Suite is the option to import and export XML configurations. It is for instance possible to configure a system properly and export the services configuration in the end to apply it to another Windows system, or keep it as a backup copy for future use.

The developer has added two XML configuration files to the software which can be used to optimize the system based on BlackViper's services optimization tips. One XML file is optimized for XP operating systems and one for Windows 7. Both are optimized without WLAN support.

The portable program requires the Microsoft .net Framework 2.0, which most Windows users should have installed these days.

The 60 Kilobyte tool is available for download at the developer's German website. The software itself is available in English and German.

It is recommended to create a system restore point before using the software, to be able to restore the system if changes have been made that make the system unstable or unbootable. (via Webdomination)

Services Suite is an excellent program, both for users who like a better overview when configuring services on one system, and for users who have to make changes to multiple systems. The only negative aspect of the program is that no service descriptions are offered in the program interface.

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Comments

  1. GC said on January 16, 2012 at 8:55 pm
    Reply

    made an Update to 1.0.0.8

    new stuff:
    – see changes you made by highlighting the changed Services
    – export individual Lists : auto/manual/deactivated/full
    – added an option to turn on Descriptions (slow)

    in Win7 Service Description and some Service names are not written into Registry anymore and
    the Service API has no property “Description” therefore i need to do it via WMI which is slow as hell. Therefore i made it optional

    hope you like it

    GC

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on January 16, 2012 at 10:32 pm
      Reply

      Nice, thanks for letting everyone know about it.

  2. Ken Mason said on July 21, 2011 at 3:25 am
    Reply

    Please don’t flame on this forum, it’s just bad behaviour. I said that this app’s install is sneaky, and to be careful. I didn’t say the tool doesn’t work. Does that deserve a flame? My comments still stand, the app’s install is quite sneaky. Perhaps your technical knowledge isn’t sufficient to even understand my comment. Would you please re-install it, and look for what I indicated bothered me?

    1. john doe said on November 10, 2011 at 4:09 am
      Reply

      The Tool doesn’t need to be installed its portable so maybe the source you have it from is crap ….

      go to the developers page and download there … dont make any false accusations

  3. Ken Mason said on June 6, 2011 at 8:15 am
    Reply

    WARNING!!

    This app is full of crapware! It’s especially sneaky, in that the system changes it wants to make are shown in the tiniest font imaginable–many users won’t eve be able to see them.

    1. john doe said on July 20, 2011 at 7:01 pm
      Reply

      Warning

      the user above me is full of crapware …

      tool is fine dont know what you are talking about

  4. Happy Bulldozer said on September 7, 2010 at 11:18 am
    Reply

    Why nobody makes service profiling application?
    I want to switch running services by profile selection “on the fly”
    Well, i guess i will make such application in the end of this month.
    I hope you will like it when it will be done

  5. kalmly said on September 5, 2010 at 4:01 pm
    Reply

    I made a lot of services changes to my XP system because its a stand alone. It made a huge difference in performance. I still dig around in there looking for things to shut down. I’m going to download this app. Thanks for the post.

  6. Jojo said on September 4, 2010 at 7:08 pm
    Reply

    This is my list of MANUAL services. I wonder if some of them should be automatic? (I have SQL Server set to manual because it uses a lot of resources and I don’t have anything that is currently using MS SQL Server).

    manual

    .NET Runtime Optimization Service v2.0.50727_X86
    Application Layer Gateway Service
    Application Management
    ASP.NET State Service
    Background Intelligent Transfer Service
    COM+ Event System
    COM+ System Application
    Distributed Transaction Coordinator
    E4M service
    Extensible Authentication Protocol Service
    Fast User Switching Compatibility
    Health Key and Certificate Management Service
    HTTP SSL
    IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
    Indexing Service
    InstallDriver Table Manager
    Intuit Update Service
    Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service
    Microsoft Office Diagnostics Service
    MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
    Net Logon
    NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
    Network Access Protection Agent
    Network Connections
    Network Location Awareness (NLA)
    Network Provisioning Service
    NT LM Security Support Provider
    Office Source Engine
    Performance Logs and Alerts
    Portable Media Serial Number Service
    QoS RSVP
    Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
    Remote Access Connection Manager
    Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
    Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental)
    Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
    Removable Storage
    Smart Card
    SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)
    SQL Server Browser
    Telephony
    Terminal Services
    Uninterruptible Power Supply
    Volume Shadow Copy
    Windows CardSpace
    Windows Driver Foundation – User-mode Driver Framework
    Windows Installer
    Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
    Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
    Windows Presentation Foundation Font Cache 4.0.0.0
    Wired AutoConfig
    WMI Performance Adapter

    1. Martin said on September 4, 2010 at 8:18 pm
      Reply

      As a rule of thumb, if the computer is working as intended then you do not need to make changes. Then again, you may want to double-check http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/servicecfg.htm

  7. Jojo said on September 4, 2010 at 7:05 pm
    Reply

    OK, works fine.

    1. Download is a .RAR file.

    2. Wish he would provide a LIST export of the individual columns (automatic, manual, deactivated).

    3. Nice that you can jump right to the registry entry for the item. But wish he would open up the standard UI for Services also.

  8. The Genuine Islam said on September 4, 2010 at 6:51 pm
    Reply

    Amazing ! , I’ve been looking for a program which does that for a long time . Thanks a lot , I’ll try it out right away !

  9. Jojo said on September 4, 2010 at 6:41 pm
    Reply

    Wow. This looks cool. Going to download it right now.

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