Where Are Windows Services Defined in the Registry?
Windows services registry tree (HKLM Services) with ImagePath, Start type and failure actions.
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Every Windows service gets a subkey under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services with its binary path, start type and dependencies. The Services console edits these values.
CurrentControlSet is a pointer to a control set, not storage. Edits land in the underlying set and persist across boots.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
One subkey per service with ImagePath, Start and DependOnService values. Manage via sc.exe or services.msc; raw edits need reboots and skip validation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit service settings in the registry?
Prefer sc.exe or the Services console. Direct edits need a reboot to apply and bypass validation; a bad ImagePath strands the service in a failed state.
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