PowerShell Get-Service Command Explained

What Get-Service does

Get-Service queries the local Service Control Manager (SCM) database and returns ServiceController objects describing Windows services: short name, display name, status (Running/Stopped/etc.), start type where exposed on the object, and dependency relationships. It is the PowerShell-first replacement for browsing the Services MMC snap-in from a shell.

Common usage

Pattern	Purpose	Notes
`Get-Service wuauserv`	Fetch one service	Name is the service key, not always obvious—use wildcard search
`Get-Service sql`	Wildcard discovery	Case-insensitive by default on Windows PowerShell
`Get-Service \| ? Status -eq Running`	Inventory running set	Pipe to Export-Csv for CMDB sync
`(Get-Service bits).DependentServices`	Show dependents	Helps order safe shutdowns

Controlling services

Start-Service, Stop-Service, and Restart-Service accept -Name and -InputObject. They usually require Administrator elevation. Use -Force only when you understand dependent services that will cascade.

When to use CIM instead

Get-Service hides some fields operators expect—binary path, service start mode details, and desktop interact flags—those live on Win32_Service via Get-CimInstance Win32_Service -Filter "Name='bits'". Choose CIM/WMI when building hardening reports; choose Get-Service for fast interactive triage.

Remoting

Get-Service supports -ComputerName in Windows PowerShell 5.1 for remote SCM queries when WinRM and firewall rules allow. Prefer Invoke-Command for PowerShell 7 consistent remoting patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Does Get-Service show the executable path?

Not directly—use Get-CimInstance Win32_Service | Select-Object Name, PathName, StartMode for binary paths and start modes.

Q.Why does Stop-Service fail with Cannot stop service?

Dependent services may still be running, the account lacks rights, or the service ignores stop requests—inspect dependents, event logs, and vendor docs.

Q.How do I restart a service with dependencies?

Use Restart-Service -Force cautiously after reviewing DependentServices, or stop dependents in the correct order to avoid blue-screening critical components.

Q.Can I run Get-Service as a standard user?

Listing local services usually works without elevation; starting/stopping/restarting typically requires Administrator UAC.

Q.What is the difference between Get-Service and sc query?

sc.exe is the classic SCM CLI with slightly different output fields; Get-Service returns objects you can filter and export in PowerShell pipelines.

Q.How do I find the display name from a short name?

Pipe Get-Service wuauserv to Select-Object Name, DisplayName, Status—or use wildcard search on DisplayName with -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue.

Q.Does Get-Service work on remote servers?

Windows PowerShell 5.1 supports -ComputerName when WinRM remoting to SCM is enabled; PowerShell 7 users should prefer Invoke-Command -ComputerName with Get-Service inside the script block.

Q.Why do some services show StartType Automatic but are not running?

Trigger-started services, delayed start, or crash loops—check Event Viewer service control manager logs and recovery actions for that service.