Windows includes a Services app with which you can disable and enable services and configure other settings for them. So, you might need to open that app now and again to check that required Windows services are enabled at least. You can open Services with the different methods below.

1. Open Services With Run

Run is a Windows accessory for launching built-in tools and apps. So, that’s an accessory many users open built-in Windows apps with. You can open Services with Run like this.

You can launch Run by pressing Win + R (or by selecting its shortcut on the WinX menu). Type services. msc within Run’s text box. Click OK to bring up the Services window.

2. Open Services With the Search Tool

Windows 11’s search utility can also come in handy for opening built-in apps and third-party programs. When you’ve found a file or app with the search tool, you can open it from there. This is how to launch Services with Windows 11’s search box.

To open the search box, press the handy Win + S keyboard shortcut to open it. Input the keyword services within the search tool’s text box. Select Services within the search utility. You can also click a Run as administrator option for the Services app there.

3. Access Services From Computer Management

Computer Management is a Windows component that brings together numerous system management tools. For example, it includes Task Scheduler, Event Viewer, Performance, and Device Manager within its system tools. You can also access Services within Computer Management as follows.

Right-click the Start menu button and select the Computer Management option. Click the small arrow besides Services and Applications. Then select Services to open it within Computer Management as in the snapshot directly below.

Read also: How to Open the Windows Computer Management Tool

4. Open Services via Windows Terminal (PowerShell and Command Prompt)

Windows Terminal is an app for utilizing command-line tools, such as PowerShell and the Command Prompt. That app is a replacement for Windows Console in Microsoft’s latest desktop platform. You can open Services with Command Prompt and PowerShell via Windows Terminal. To do so, follow these quick steps.

Press Win + X to open the WinX menu. Select Windows Terminal (Admin) on that menu. To choose a command-line utility, click the down arrow button. Then you can select Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell on the Open a new tab menu. Type services. msc within the Command Prompt or PowerShell tab, and press the Enter key.

5. Open Services via the Start Menu

The Start menu in Windows 11 doesn’t have a direct Services app shortcut. However, the Windows Tools folder on that menu includes many of the platform’s built-in tools. You can open Services from there like this.

Click the Start menu’s taskbar button. Select All apps on the Start menu. Scroll down the menu to the Windows Tools folder. Click Windows Tools to view its contents. Then select Services from there.

6. Open Services With a Desktop Shortcut

Many users would no doubt prefer the Services app to be immediately accessible on the desktop. You can set up a desktop shortcut for opening Services in a few straightforward steps. This is how to set up such a shortcut in Windows 11.

Right-click any space on your desktop wallpaper to select New. Click Shortcut on the submenu. Type services. msc within the item location text box as in the snapshot directly below. Select Next to continue to the final step. Enter Services within the name box, and click the Finish button.

Now you can click the Services shortcut on your desktop to open that app. It’s a shortcut you can also pin to the taskbar or Start menu. To do so, right-click the Services icon and select Show more options. Then you can select either the Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start option. However, you can’t select to pin a shortcut to both.

Read also: What Is a Desktop Shortcut and How Does It Work?

7. Open Services With a Hotkey

A desktop shortcut can become a keyboard hotkey with a bit of tinkering. You can assign a hotkey to the Services desktop shortcut like any other custom one. If you do so, you’ll be able to bring up Services anytime by pressing a Ctrl + Alt key combo for it. This is what you’ll need to do to open Services with a hotkey.

Add a Services shortcut to Windows 11’s desktop as outlined for the previous method. Right-click the Services icon to select a Properties context menu option. Next, click inside the Shortcut key text box to place a text cursor there. Press S to establish a Ctrl + Alt + S hotkey for Services. Select Apply to save the new key combination. Click OK to close the properties window.

Now you can try out your new Services hotkey. Press the Ctrl + Alt + S key combination to bring up the Services window. You can always change that hotkey to a different one via the Shortcut tab if you prefer.

That hotkey won’t work if you delete the Services desktop shortcut. To set up hotkeys without establishing desktop ones first, you’ll need a third-party app. WinHotKey is a decent freeware app for setting up new keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11.

Read also: How to Set Up Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 11

Configure Services With the Services App in Windows 11

So, there are plenty of ways you can open Services within Windows 11. The above methods are primarily for Microsoft’s latest desktop platform, but most of them will work in Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 as well. Choose whatever method for opening the Services app you prefer.

When you open that app, you’ll discover a valuable tool for enabling and disabling services. You can free up some RAM by disabling superfluous services you don’t need with that utility. Alternatively, you can turn on disabled services that might need to be enabled for certain Windows features to work. Thus, Services is a pretty important app most users will probably need to utilize sometimes.