Windows Services form a core component of the Microsoft Windows operating system and enable the creation and administration of long-running processes. Unlike conventional software that has to be launched by the end-user and only runs when the user is logged on. A Windows Service can start without user interference (trigger) and may proceed to run long after the user has logged off.
While one could you the built-in tools provided with Windows to stop services from auto-starting and more, What if one needed additional control over it. That’s where Service Trigger Editor steps in.
What Does Service Trigger Editor Do?
Service Triggers is a tool wherein Microsoft has intelligently combined an event mechanism into the Windows Services architecture; so that services can now be started or stopped automatically when certain conditions are met.
While Service Triggers can be manipulated using the command line, it becomes difficult running it up again for often usage. Service Trigger Editor is a free administrative tool that can be used to add, change, or view the Triggers previously configured on Windows Services.
Run or Stop a Windows Service based on a condition or trigger
To start with, the Service Trigger Editor has a very manageable User-Interface with a menubar, toolbar, status bar, and two menu panes. One could find all the services available under the Services panel. To simplify, each service has been listed with its name, description, status, and the number of triggers associated with it.
The status of the service is indicated using a green circle, while a blue circle indicates that it contains an attached trigger. The corresponding trigger can be displayed by selecting the service in the trigger pane. Users can additionally hide services that don’t have a trigger from the View menu to simplify the interface.
Services can be started or stopped from the Service Menu. However, The bottom pane of the screen shows the triggers for the selected service, it there are any attached. The icons to the right capture some of the trigger’s configuration.
Adding and Editing a New Trigger in Service Trigger Editor
Adding a new trigger or editing a previously generated one is quite simple in the Service Trigger Editor. Here’s how to add a new trigger:
- Launch the Service Trigger Editor using the executable file.
- From the Services Panel, choose a service; and from the top, click on the Add Trigger icon at the top left.
- From the new Window that pops up, choose the kind of trigger you would like to assign, from either ‘Start’ or ‘Stop.’
- Next, from the second dropdown, choose when do you want the service to get triggered (started or stopped); the options range from either ‘Computer Joins a Domain,’ or ‘Computer Leaves a Domain’ or lots more.
Download Service Trigger Editor
Similarly, one can edit a previously configured trigger by double-tapping on it from the Trigger Pane. There’s also an option for creating custom triggers where users could provide the event provider’s GUID, the values for custom string, binary, level, or keyword and set it up.
I hope this post was useful, and I was able to provide you with the Service Trigger Editor Review, its functionality, usage, and more. With that said, How often do you edit or add a new trigger? do let us know in the comments below
