>

Query Service State and Config with sc query / qc

Inspect whether a service is running and how it is configured to start, directly from CMD.

WindowscmdservicesLow risk
Run sc query <name> to see the running state and exit code, and sc qc <name> to see its start type, binary path, and account.

01Command

Command
$ sc query wuauserv
sc qc wuauserv

02What it does

sc query reports STATE (RUNNING/STOPPED/PAUSED), PID, and the WIN32_EXIT_CODE — a nonzero code here is your first clue for a service that keeps crashing. sc qc reveals the BINARY_PATH_NAME and the account the service runs as, which matters for permission troubleshooting. Two traps: there must be a space after the service name (sc querywuauserv fails), and sc start/stop operate on the Service Control Manager, not the filesystem like the SFC-related 'sfc' name suggests.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • sc query
    Microsoft Learn · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents sc query output fields including STATE and its state filters.
  • sc - SS64
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Reference for sc query and qc subcommands and the note that sc requires a space after the service name.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings

06Related solutions

Get a Full System Summary with systeminfo
WindowshardwarecmdDiagnostics

One command that shows OS version, install date, boot time, memory, network adapters and installed hotfixes.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17
Verify File Hashes with certutil -hashfile
Windowshashcmdsecurity

Built-in Windows command to compute MD5, SHA1 or SHA-256 hashes of any file.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17
Clear Stubborn File Attributes with attrib
Windowscmdhiddenattributes

Remove hidden, system and read-only flags from files or whole directory trees.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-17