Difference between "net start servicename" and "sc start servicename"?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marc O'Donnell
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M

Marc O'Donnell

I found two different commands for starting (and stopping) services under WinXP:

net start [servname]

and

sc start [servname]

What are the differences ?

Marc
 
Marc said:
I found two different commands for starting (and stopping) services
under WinXP:

net start [servname]

and

sc start [servname]

What are the differences ?

NET *is not* just for service related functions.
SC *is* just for service related functions.

Therefore - you get more options for dealing with services with the latter
command than the former. Neither works any bettr for stopping/starting
services - if that is what you are asking.


NET /?
NET [ ACCOUNTS | COMPUTER | CONFIG | CONTINUE | FILE | GROUP | HELP |
HELPMSG | LOCALGROUP | NAME | PAUSE | PRINT | SEND | SESSION |
SHARE | START | STATISTICS | STOP | TIME | USE | USER | VIEW ]

NET START /?
The syntax of this command is:
NET START
[service]


SC
DESCRIPTION:
SC is a command line program used for communicating with the
NT Service Controller and services.
USAGE:
sc <server> [command] [service name] <option1> <option2>...

The option <server> has the form "\\ServerName"
Further help on commands can be obtained by typing: "sc [command]"
Commands:
query-----------Queries the status for a service, or
enumerates the status for types of services.
queryex---------Queries the extended status for a service, or
enumerates the status for types of services.
start-----------Starts a service.
pause-----------Sends a PAUSE control request to a service.
interrogate-----Sends an INTERROGATE control request to a service.
continue--------Sends a CONTINUE control request to a service.
stop------------Sends a STOP request to a service.
config----------Changes the configuration of a service
(persistant).
description-----Changes the description of a service.
failure---------Changes the actions taken by a service upon
failure.
qc--------------Queries the configuration information for a
service.
qdescription----Queries the description for a service.
qfailure--------Queries the actions taken by a service upon
failure.
delete----------Deletes a service (from the registry).
create----------Creates a service. (adds it to the registry).
control---------Sends a control to a service.
sdshow----------Displays a service's security descriptor.
sdset-----------Sets a service's security descriptor.
GetDisplayName--Gets the DisplayName for a service.
GetKeyName------Gets the ServiceKeyName for a service.
EnumDepend------Enumerates Service Dependencies.

The following commands don't require a service name:
sc <server> <command> <option>
boot------------(ok | bad) Indicates whether the last boot should
be saved as the last-known-good boot configuration
Lock------------Locks the Service Database
QueryLock-------Queries the LockStatus for the SCManager Database
EXAMPLE:
sc start MyService

Would you like to see help for the QUERY and QUERYEX commands? [ y | n ]: y

QUERY and QUERYEX OPTIONS :
If the query command is followed by a service name, the status
for that service is returned. Further options do not apply in
this case. If the query command is followed by nothing or one of
the options listed below, the services are enumerated.
type= Type of services to enumerate (driver, service, all)
(default = service)
state= State of services to enumerate (inactive, all)
(default = active)
bufsize= The size (in bytes) of the enumeration buffer
(default = 4096)
ri= The resume index number at which to begin the enumeration
(default = 0)
group= Service group to enumerate
(default = all groups)
SYNTAX EXAMPLES
sc query - Enumerates status for active services & drivers
sc query messenger - Displays status for the messenger service
sc queryex messenger - Displays extended status for the messenger service
sc query type= driver - Enumerates only active drivers
sc query type= service - Enumerates only Win32 services
sc query state= all - Enumerates all services & drivers
sc query bufsize= 50 - Enumerates with a 50 byte buffer.
sc query ri= 14 - Enumerates with resume index = 14
sc queryex group= "" - Enumerates active services not in a group
sc query type= service type= interact - Enumerates all interactive services
sc query type= driver group= NDIS - Enumerates all NDIS drivers


That help you or provide you with more details so you can ask a more
specific question?
 
There is no difference, both will start the service. But the SC.exe
command can also configure services, something that the net start
command cannot do. Use the /? switch for help on the command.

John
 
Marc O'Donnell said:
I found two different commands for starting (and stopping) services under
WinXP:

net start [servname]

and

sc start [servname]

What are the differences ?

Marc

None - but sc.exe is far more versatile than "net start".
 
Marc said:
I found two different commands for starting (and stopping) services under WinXP:

net start [servname]

and

sc start [servname]

What are the differences ?
"net start" is available since WinNT 3.1
"sc start" is available since Windows XP.

sc has more options then net.
 
St said:
Marc said:
I found two different commands for starting (and stopping) services
under WinXP:

net start [servname]

and

sc start [servname]

What are the differences ?
"net start" is available since WinNT 3.1
"sc start" is available since Windows XP.

sc has more options then net.

SC.exe may not have been bundled with the earlier NT versions but it has
been available with the Resource Kits or SDKs for at least 14 years...

John
 
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