- The loss or corruption of services Windows It is usually caused by updates, cleaning software, or system errors.
- There are advanced methods to restore services, including registry repair, use of commands and recovery tools.
- Maintaining active backups and restore points is crucial to avoiding serious system problems.
Restore deleted or corrupted Windows services via services.msc This situation is more common than it seems and can cause real headaches. Many users, technicians, and administrators encounter this problem after failed updates, registry cleanups, or even after accidentally removing services believing they weren't important. The good news is that, although the process requires several steps and some caution, there are multiple ways to restore stability to your system without having to completely reinstall it.
In this article you will find a complete and detailed guide on How to restore essential services in Windows, what to do if restore points are missing, how to recover critical files, and more Tricks To keep the reliability and operating system security. The information presented here is based on the most well-positioned articles, forums, and technical guides, summarizing everything important and adding practical recommendations that can make a difference in your specific case.
Why do Windows services disappear or become corrupted?
Before we get into it, it's helpful to understand why sometimes services disappear from the services.msc console or stop working properly. The most common reasons are:
- Incomplete or failed Windows updates: Especially after major updates, some services may not register properly or may become corrupted.
- Using registry cleaning applications: Tools like CCleaner or TuneUp can remove critical service-related entries.
- Accidental deletion by user: When looking to improve performance or “clean up” your system, it’s easy to delete services thinking they are unnecessary.
- infections by malware or viruses: They can disable or even remove services to avoid detection.
- Hard drive problems or unexpected shutdowns: Files linked to services may become corrupted and stop working properly.
What risks exist when system services are missing or damaged?
The absence or lack of functioning of essential services in Windows It can have quite varied causes, but they all translate into functional problems:
- Inability to share network resources (for example, if the “Server” or “Server” service is missing).
- Errors when updating Windows and security breaches due to failure to install critical patches.
- System instability: unexpected crashes, slowness or blue screens.
- Unavailability of restore points, which prevents the system from returning to a previous, safe state.
Getting Started: How to Diagnose the Problem
It is best to start identifying the service that is causing problems or has disappeared. Access the services console by pressing Win + R, writes services.msc and click "OK." Find the affected service in the list and check if it appears, is "Stopped," "Disabled," or isn't listed at all.
If the service has disappeared, it's most likely because its key was deleted from the Windows registry or an essential file was deleted. If the service appears but can't start, check the error message. With this information, you can decide which recovery method you need to apply.
Methods to restore deleted or damaged services from services.msc
There are different ways to address this depending on the severity of the problem and the type of service affected. Here are the most recommended techniques:
1. Repair the system registry
Some services are directly linked to registry entries. If an update or cleanup has modified key values, the service will no longer appear or function. To restore it:
- Press Win + R and writes regedit to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the route associated with the service; it is usually in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services.
- Find the key for the service in question. If you find it missing, you can export the key from another computer with the same version of Windows and then import it to yours.
- If corrupt residual values remain (e.g., ThresholdOptedIn), delete them and restart your computer.
Many tutorials also recommend using data recovery software to restore files accidentally deleted during this process. To better manage your files and settings, check out this guide on How to backup and restore browsers in Windows.
2. Use commands to repair Windows components
It is common for services to Windows Update and other critical components from becoming corrupted due to system file damage. The most effective commands to resolve this are:
- DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth: Repairs the Windows image. Run this command from a window. DCM o PowerShell with administrator permissions.
- sfc / scannow: Scans and repairs damaged system files. Run after completing the DISM command.
3. Check and reactivate dependent services
Some key services, such as Volume Shadow Copy, Windows Update o Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), can be indirectly disabled and cause major problems. To reactivate them:
- Opens services.msc.
- Find the affected service (for example, Volume Shadow Copy).
- Right-click, select "Properties," and set the startup type to "Automatic." Click "Start" if it's stopped, then "Apply."
- Repeat the process with any related services (BITS, Cryptographic Services, etc.).
This method is especially useful when restore points have disappeared because this service is essential for its creation. Additionally, keeping critical services in good condition helps prevent other failures, such as account synchronization issues that you can solve in how to sync Gmail.
4. Restore damaged application services
If the problem affects services created by third-party programs (e.g., antivirus, backup tools, etc.), you can try repairing the application itself:
- Accede to Settings> Applications, locate the program and click “Modify” or “Repair” if available.
- If this option isn't offered, completely uninstall and reinstall the software; the installer will usually restore the associated services.
5. Recover system restore points
If you need to recover the system to a previous time but the restore points have disappeared, there are different aspects to review:
- System protection: make sure it is still enabled in sysdm.cpl > “System Protection” tab. If it isn’t enabled for the C: drive, enable it and adjust the reserved space.
- Disk SpaceWindows deletes old disks if the disk is almost full. Try to keep at least 20 GB free.
- Active Shadow Copy Servers: Check that “Volume Shadow Copy” is not disabled.
- cleaning programs: Disables any utility that cleans restore points.
- malware infection: Run an updated antivirus to rule out the possibility that a virus may have deleted the points.
If none of this returns the restore points, the best alternative is to use specialized data recovery tools such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard o AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery to try to rescue critical files lost after the points disappear.
How to delete a service and reverse accidental deletion errors
Sometimes a service is deleted manually using the command sc delete SERVICE_NAME, either due to previous problems with apps uninstalled or on the recommendation of a guide, and then it is discovered that this action affects the functioning of other applications or system features.
In these cases, most third-party programs allow you to repair them yourself by reinstalling the software. For native services, the simplest and safest way is to:
- Re-register the associated DLL or executable using regsvr32.
- Restore a copy of the registry from another identical computer or through a restore point, if available.
- Run SFC and DISM as explained before to restore damaged system files.
Remember that editing the registry and modifying services is delicate. Always back up your registry before touching anything.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.