Manage services on a device

Control the Windows services configured for a managed device. Use the Services tool to view the services running on the device and:

  • Start, stop, or restart a service.

  • Set the service startup type to Manual or Automatic.

  • Configure the logon credentials for the service.

This feature is only available for managed Windows devices with N-able N-central agents installed.

In the managed device’s Windows services list, an arrow icon () indicates that the service has dependent services. Select the arrow to view those services.

  1. Go to Views > All Devices and select the Network Devices tab.
  2. Select the device Name.
  3. Go to Tools >  Services.

  4. In the Status column, select the pencil (edit) icon to start, pause, resume, stop, or restart the service.

  5. In the Startup Type column, select the pencil (edit) icon to set when and how the service starts or to disable startup. Choose one of the following options:

    • Automatic (Delayed): Starts after a brief delay following system startup. Not all Windows services support delayed start on devices running Windows Vista or later.
    • Automatic: Starts every time the computer starts.
    • Boot: A device driver started by the system loader. Valid only for device drivers.
    • Manual: Starts only when explicitly started by a user.
    • Disabled: The service will not run.

  6. In the Log On As column, select the pencil (edit) icon to change the security identity of the service.

  7. To start or stop multiple services, select the check box next to each service, and then use the buttons at the top of the window.

  8. Select OK.

For Local System accounts, do not enable the Allow service to interact with desktop feature. If you enable this feature, any information displayed by the service will also appear on an interactive user’s desktop, which can pose a security risk.

Buttons for actions that cannot be performed on multiple devices at the same time are grayed out. For example, if any selected service is currently Stopped, the Pause option will be unavailable because a stopped service cannot be paused.