Set-Service

Use Set-Service to start, stop or suspend a service, and change service properties such as StartupType and DisplayName.

Command 1 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — Set-Service

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated 02 October 2026

Syntax

1PS> Set-Service [-Name] <String[]> [-Status <ServiceControllerStatus>] [-StartupType <ServiceStartMode>] [-DisplayName <String>] [-Description <String>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

See the command anatomy

Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.

Set-Service [-Name] <String[]> [-Status <ServiceControllerStatus>] [-StartupType <ServiceStartMode>] [-DisplayName <String>] [-Description <String>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Stage 1Set-Service-Name -Status -StartupType -DisplayName -Description -WhatIf -Confirm

Try it

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Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.

Command

Interactive simulation · fictional data

Examples

Set-Service -Name Spooler

1PS> Set-Service -Name Spooler -StartupType Automatic

Show reference output

Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

Name     Status  StartType
----     ------  ---------
Spooler  Running Automatic

Set-Service -Name W32Time

1PS> Set-Service -Name W32Time -Status Running

Show reference output

Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

Name    Status   StartType
----    ------   ---------
W32Time Running  Automatic

Parameters

Parameter definitions:

-Name
-Status
-StartupType
-DisplayName
-Description
-WhatIf
-Confirm

Set-Service on Microsoft Learn

Practical use and troubleshooting

Practical scenario: Use Set-Service when you need to start, stop or suspend a service, and change service properties such as StartupType and DisplayName. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.

Common error and fix: Access denied during a configuration change requires an elevated session with the appropriate rights. Inspect the current startup type, preview supported changes and re-query the service after execution. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.

See also: Restart-Service. Set-Service changes supported service properties or status; Restart-Service performs a stop followed by a start. Changing StartupType is not equivalent to restarting a service. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

Set-Service reference on Microsoft Learn

Recap

Set-Service Use Set-Service to start, stop or suspend a service, and change service properties such as StartupType and DisplayName.

Next: Restart-Service