How to Delete a Service in Windows 11

If there’s a service running that you’d rather not have around, here’s how to delete it on Windows 11.

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A service is a special type of program that usually starts when the operating system loads on your computer. The application runs in the background and has no user interface. You don’t see these processes when you use your computer. Instead, you can observe the effects of having them running in the background.

If you have identified a service that you no longer require on your computer and want to remove it, then deleting that service is one way to do so. This guide will explain some easy ways to delete a service in Windows 11.

What Is a Service on Windows?

Windows services are applications that start up with the Windows operating system and perform a specific function. Services can be used to provide functionality for other programs or to perform system-level tasks. It is responsible for tasks such as monitoring the system for changes, interacting with other programs, and carrying out scheduled tasks.

There are a number of services running on a typical Windows system, and more can be added as needed. Some services are essential for the proper functioning of the operating system, while others may be added by third-party programs.

You can view and manage services from the Windows Tools applet in Control Panel. If a service is not working properly, it can cause problems with other parts of the system. For example, if the Print Spooler service stops responding, you will not be able to print documents.

Can Disabling Services Improve Windows Performance?

It is a common belief that disabling services on Windows can help improve performance, which is indeed true. However, this is not always the case.

In some instances, disabling certain services can actually lead to decreased performance and stability. Therefore, it is important to know which services are safe to disable and which you should leave the same way they are.

How to Delete a Service in Windows 11

When you delete a service, you are permanently removing it from the Windows operating system. This means that the service will no longer be available to programs that may rely on it, and any associated data will be lost. Before deleting a service, you should ensure that there are no programs that depend on it. You can do this by checking the dependencies tab in the service’s properties window.

However, it’s always a good idea to disable services that you don’t need, which speeds up Windows performance and makes your computer more stable. When it comes to deleting services from Windows, there are three different ways to do it.

You can do this either through Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, or the Registry Editor, depending on how you prefer to do things. Each of them is explained in detail here.

1. Through the Registry Editor

If you’re familiar with the Windows Registry and want to delete a service in Windows 11, you can do so using the Registry Editor. The process is relatively straightforward and only requires a few steps.

Keep in mind, however, that registry editing is a delicate process and one wrong move can make your computer unusable. In this regard, you should always create a backup of your registry before making any changes.

The following instructions will guide you through deleting a Windows service using the Registry Editor, but before you proceed, you need to figure out which one you want to delete. To get started, go through these steps:

1. Open the Services application.

2. Scroll down and locate the service you want to delete in the Services Manager window.

3. Once you find it, double-click on it to open the Properties window.

4. In the Properties window, go to the General tab and note down the Service name.

After you find the Service name, close both the Properties and Services windows. Next, open the Registry Editor and delete the service as follows:

• Right-click on Start and select Run to open the Run Command dialog box.

• Type “regedit” in the search box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.

• If the UAC window appears, click Yes to confirm your action.

• In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following address:

  Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
  

• You should now look up the Service Name that you noted earlier.

• Once you’ve found it, right-click on it and choose the Delete option.

• If you receive a confirmation message, click Yes to proceed.

Once you have deleted the registry key, restart your computer so that the changes take effect. The next time you start your PC, you won’t have the deleted service available

2. Using the Command Prompt

If you don’t like editing the registry editor, you can also delete the service using the command prompt in Windows 11. In order to proceed with this method, you will need the service name, so please refer to the first method for finding it.

Here is how to delete services using the command prompt:

1. Open the Run command dialog box.

2. Type “cmd” in the text box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt with admin access.

3. When UAC pops up on the screen, click on Yes to continue.

4. Once you’re in the Command Prompt window, type the below command:

   PS > sc delete <service_name>

5. Now press the Enter key to delete the service.

6. After making the above changes, you must restart your computer.

When you run the above command, replace <service_name> with the name of the service you noted earlier. In addition, if the name of the service you wish to delete contains spaces, you must enclose it in quotes.

3. Using the Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell is another method you can use to delete services in Windows 11. Here’s how it works:

1. Click the Start Menu and type “PowerShell”.

2. From the right pane, select Run as administrator.

3. When UAC appears on the screen, click Yes to continue.

4. Once you’re in the PowerShell window, type the below command:

   Get-Service
   

5. Press Enter and the services list will appear on your screen.

6. Note down the name of the service you want to remove from the service list.

7. Now copy and paste the below command:

   sc delete <service_name>
   

8. Press the Enter key to run the command.

9. Once you have made these changes, restart your computer and that service won’t appear in the service list.

In the above command, replace  with the name of the service you want to delete.