Service

  1. In general a service refers to work that is performed by one or more people that benefits others. For example, Computer Hope performs the service of helping everyone with their computer related problems and questions. Another example is Customer Service.
  2. When referring to computer software, a service is a software program or portion of a program that is loaded when another program is loaded. For example, a Microsoft Windows Service is part of Windows that is loaded each time Windows 2000 and above starts. An example of a Windows service is Messenger, which allows users to send messages to other Windows users on their network.

Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and above users can view and adjust what services are loaded each time Windows loads by following the below steps.

  1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Administrator Tools icon.
  3. Double-click the Service icon.

Note: You may be unable to complete the above steps if you do not have the proper privileges on your computer.

Also see: Customer Service, Daemon, TSR