Windows 8 In Depth

Controlling Services

Windows 8 comes with a long list of programs called services that operate behind the scenes and perform essential tasks either on their own or in support of other programs or Windows features. These services are background routines that enable the system to perform tasks such as logging on to the network, managing disks, collecting performance data, and writing event logs. Windows 8 comes with more than 160 installed services, which is a Windows record.

You won’t have to interact with services very often, but when they do come up, you’ll be glad to have this section’s tools in your Windows 8 toolbox. For example, although services usually operate behind the scenes, you may need to pause, stop, and start services, as well ...