To delete a service in Windows 10, open Services, double-click the service, and note its Service name. Then open Command Prompt as administrator and run sc delete followed by that name, like sc delete ContosoUpdater. Restart the PC to finish.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 28, 2026.
Before you start
- Most services should never be deleted. Deleting a Windows service can stop Windows from working. Only delete a service left behind by a program you’ve already removed.
- Try uninstalling the program first. That removes its services the right way. See how to uninstall programs on Windows 10.
- Disabling is safer than deleting. You can turn a disabled service back on later.
- Make a restore point first. See how to create a restore point in Windows 10.
Find the service name (and disable it)
- Press Windows logo key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Double-click the service.
- Note the Service name. It’s often different from the display name.
- To stop it without deleting it, set Startup type to Disabled, select Stop, then OK.
Delete the service
- Select Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
- Type
sc delete, a space, and the service name, then press Enter. If the name has spaces, put it in quotes. - Look for [SC] DeleteService SUCCESS, then restart the PC.
Frequently asked questions
It says the service is “marked for deletion”. What now?
Close the Services window and restart the PC. The service is removed during the restart.
How do I find which services start with Windows?
A clean boot turns off non-Microsoft services for testing. See how to perform a clean boot in Windows 10.
What if I don’t recognize a service?
Search for its name before you change it. If you think it’s harmful, run a scan. See how to scan for and remove malware in Windows 10.
Microsoft’s reference is sc delete. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.