PowerShell: Start a Windows Service

Need to start a stopped Windows service - after a manual stop, a crash, or a config change? This one-liner starts it directly from the terminal.

Prerequisites:

  • Privileges: Run as Administrator
  • Module: Built-in, no import needed

Quick Command:

Start-Service YourServiceName -PassThru

Example Output:

Status   Name               DisplayName
------   ----               -----------
Running  YourServiceName Your Service Display Name
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How It Works:

  • Start-Service starts the specified service if it's currently stopped.
  • Replace YourServiceName with the service's actual Name property.
  • By default this produces no output on success. Adding -PassThru returns the service object so you can confirm the new status.

Pro Tip:

If you're not sure of a service's exact name, search for it first:

Get-Service *keyword*