How to Get a List of Services in PowerShell

Managing Windows services is a fundamental task for system administrators, IT professionals, and anyone responsible for maintaining server infrastructure. Whether you're troubleshooting a performance issue, auditing your system's security posture, or automating routine maintenance tasks, understanding how to retrieve and manipulate service information through PowerShell is essential. The ability to quickly query service states, identify dependencies, and monitor service behavior can mean the difference between proactive system management and reactive firefighting.

PowerShell provides a robust set of cmdlets specifically designed for service management, with Get-Service being the primary tool for retrieving service information. This cmdlet offers far more than simple service listings—it enables filtering, sorting, remote querying, and integration with other PowerShell commands to create powerful automation workflows. Understanding the various parameters and output properties allows administrators to extract precisely the information they need, whether that's a single service status or a comprehensive inventory across multiple servers.

Throughout this guide, you'll discover multiple approaches to listing services, from basic commands to advanced filtering techniques. You'll learn how to format output for different purposes, export service data for reporting, query remote systems, and combine service queries with other PowerShell features to solve real-world administrative challenges. By mastering these techniques, you'll gain the confidence to handle service management tasks efficiently and develop custom solutions tailored to your specific infrastructure needs.

Understanding the Get-Service Cmdlet

The Get-Service cmdlet serves as the cornerstone of service management in PowerShell. This command retrieves objects representing each service on your system, containing detailed information about service status, startup type, dependencies, and more. Unlike traditional command-line tools that return plain text, Get-Service returns structured objects that can be manipulated, filtered, and passed to other cmdlets for further processing.

When executed without parameters, Get-Service returns all services on the local computer. Each service object contains multiple properties that describe its configuration and current state. The most commonly accessed properties include Name (the service's internal identifier), DisplayName (the user-friendly name shown in Services.msc), Status (Running, Stopped, Paused, etc.), and StartType (Automatic, Manual, Disabled).

"The power of PowerShell lies not in replacing GUI tools, but in enabling automation and bulk operations that would be impractical through manual intervention."

Understanding the object-oriented nature of PowerShell output is crucial for effective service management. Rather than parsing text strings, you work with properties and methods directly. This approach enables precise filtering, sorting, and data manipulation without complex text processing logic. The service objects returned by Get-Service can be stored in variables, passed through pipelines, or exported to various formats for documentation and analysis.

Basic Syntax and Parameters

The fundamental syntax for Get-Service is straightforward, but the cmdlet offers numerous parameters for refined queries:

• -Name: Specifies one or more service names (supports wildcards)
• -DisplayName: Filters by the display name shown in GUI tools
• -ComputerName: Queries services on remote computers
• -DependentServices: Shows services that depend on the specified service
• -RequiredServices: Displays services required by the specified service
• -Include: Includes only specified services from the results
• -Exclude: Removes specified services from the results

The simplest command to retrieve all services is:

Get-Service

This returns every service on your local machine with basic information displayed in a table format. For more specific queries, you can target individual services by name:

Get-Service -Name "wuauserv"

Wildcard characters enable pattern matching, which is particularly useful when working with service families or searching for services with similar naming conventions:

Get-Service -Name "Win*"

Retrieving and Filtering Service Lists

Effective service management requires the ability to filter results based on specific criteria. PowerShell provides multiple approaches for narrowing down service lists, from built-in cmdlet parameters to pipeline filtering with Where-Object. Choosing the appropriate method depends on your specific requirements and the complexity of your filtering logic.

Filtering by Service Status

One of the most common administrative tasks involves identifying services in particular states. To find all running services, you can use the Where-Object cmdlet in combination with Get-Service:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"}

Similarly, to identify stopped services that might need attention:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Stopped"}

The Status property can have several values including Running, Stopped, Paused, StartPending, StopPending, ContinuePending, and PausePending. Understanding these states helps diagnose service behavior and identify services in transition states that might indicate problems.

"Filtering services by status is not just about finding what's running or stopped—it's about identifying anomalies and understanding your system's operational baseline."

Filtering by Startup Type

The startup type determines how a service behaves during system boot. To view services configured for automatic startup:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.StartType -eq "Automatic"}

This query is particularly valuable when auditing system configurations or identifying services that might impact boot time. Services with Automatic startup can significantly affect system performance, especially on servers with numerous applications installed.

For a comprehensive view of startup configurations, you might want to group services by their StartType property:

Get-Service | Group-Object -Property StartType

Advanced Querying Techniques

Beyond basic filtering, PowerShell enables sophisticated service queries that combine multiple criteria, access extended properties, and integrate with other system information. These advanced techniques allow administrators to build comprehensive service inventories and identify complex relationships between services and system components.

Combining Multiple Filter Criteria

Real-world scenarios often require filtering based on multiple conditions simultaneously. PowerShell's logical operators enable complex queries that return precisely the services you need:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running" -and $_.StartType -eq "Automatic"}

This command identifies services that are currently running and configured to start automatically—useful for understanding which services are actively contributing to system operations. You can extend this logic to any combination of properties:

Get-Service | Where-Object {($_.Status -eq "Stopped") -and ($_.StartType -eq "Automatic")}

This variation finds a potentially problematic condition: services configured for automatic startup that aren't currently running. Such services might indicate failed startup attempts or dependencies that couldn't be satisfied.

Accessing Extended Service Properties

The default Get-Service output displays only a subset of available properties. To access the complete property set, use the Select-Object cmdlet with the wildcard parameter:

Get-Service -Name "wuauserv" | Select-Object *

This reveals additional properties including ServicesDependedOn, DependentServices, CanPauseAndContinue, CanShutdown, CanStop, and ServiceType. These properties provide deeper insight into service capabilities and relationships.

"Understanding service dependencies is critical for change management—stopping one service can cascade through dependent services and cause unexpected application failures."

Working with Service Dependencies

Services frequently depend on other services to function correctly. Understanding these relationships prevents accidental service disruptions and helps troubleshoot startup failures. To view services that a specific service depends on:

Get-Service -Name "wuauserv" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty ServicesDependedOn

Conversely, to identify services that depend on a particular service:

Get-Service -Name "LanmanServer" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty DependentServices

This information is invaluable when planning service maintenance or investigating why a service fails to start. A service cannot start if any of its dependencies are stopped or disabled, and stopping a service will automatically stop all dependent services.

Formatting and Exporting Service Information

Raw PowerShell output is useful for immediate analysis, but many scenarios require formatted reports, documentation, or data transfer to other systems. PowerShell provides multiple cmdlets for transforming service data into various formats suitable for different purposes, from on-screen display to integration with external applications.

Customizing Output Display

The default table format shows limited properties. To customize which properties appear in the output, use Select-Object to specify exactly what you need:

Get-Service | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType | Format-Table -AutoSize

The Format-Table cmdlet with the -AutoSize parameter adjusts column widths to fit content efficiently. For services with long display names or descriptions, Format-List provides a more readable alternative:

Get-Service -Name "wuauserv" | Format-List *

This displays all properties in a vertical list format, making it easier to read detailed information about individual services. The Format-Wide cmdlet offers another option for displaying services in multiple columns:

Get-Service | Format-Wide -Property DisplayName -Column 3

Exporting to CSV and Other Formats

For documentation, reporting, or analysis in spreadsheet applications, exporting service data to CSV format is invaluable:

Get-Service | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType | Export-Csv -Path "C:\Services.csv" -NoTypeInformation

The -NoTypeInformation parameter prevents PowerShell from adding type metadata to the first line of the CSV file, resulting in cleaner output that's easier to import into other applications. For JSON output, which is useful for web applications or configuration management systems:

Get-Service | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType | ConvertTo-Json | Out-File "C:\Services.json"

"Exporting service configurations to version-controlled files creates an audit trail and enables rapid recovery to known-good configurations after system changes."

XML export provides another structured format that's particularly useful for integration with configuration management tools:

Get-Service | Export-Clixml -Path "C:\Services.xml"

Unlike CSV, XML export preserves the complete object structure, including methods and complex properties. This format can be reimported into PowerShell with Import-Clixml, reconstructing the original service objects for further processing.

Querying Remote Systems

Enterprise environments require the ability to query services across multiple systems simultaneously. PowerShell provides several approaches for remote service management, from simple single-system queries to bulk operations across entire server farms. Understanding these techniques enables centralized monitoring and management without logging into each system individually.

Using the ComputerName Parameter

The simplest method for querying remote services uses the -ComputerName parameter:

Get-Service -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Name "wuauserv"

This approach works well for quick checks against individual systems but has limitations. It requires appropriate network permissions, relies on specific RPC protocols that might be blocked by firewalls, and doesn't support the full range of PowerShell remoting features. For multiple computers, you can specify an array:

Get-Service -ComputerName "SERVER01","SERVER02","SERVER03" -Name "wuauserv"

However, this method processes computers sequentially, which can be slow when querying many systems. The output includes a MachineName property that identifies which computer each service belongs to, essential for distinguishing results in multi-system queries.

PowerShell Remoting with Invoke-Command

For more sophisticated remote operations, PowerShell remoting through Invoke-Command offers superior performance and capabilities:

Invoke-Command -ComputerName "SERVER01","SERVER02","SERVER03" -ScriptBlock {
    Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"}
}

This approach executes the script block on each remote computer in parallel, significantly reducing execution time for large-scale queries. The results include a PSComputerName property that identifies the source system. PowerShell remoting requires initial configuration through Enable-PSRemoting but provides access to the full PowerShell feature set on remote systems.

"Centralized service monitoring through PowerShell remoting transforms reactive troubleshooting into proactive system management, enabling administrators to identify issues before they impact users."

Using CIM and WMI for Service Queries

The Common Information Model (CIM) provides an alternative approach for querying services with additional details not available through Get-Service:

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_Service -ComputerName "SERVER01" | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, State, StartMode, PathName

CIM queries access the same underlying service information but expose additional properties like PathName (the executable path), ProcessId, and Description. This method works well across different Windows versions and can retrieve information that Get-Service doesn't provide directly.

Practical Service Management Scenarios

Understanding cmdlets and parameters is essential, but applying this knowledge to solve real-world problems demonstrates true mastery. The following scenarios illustrate common administrative tasks and how to accomplish them efficiently using PowerShell service queries combined with other cmdlets and techniques.

🔍 Identifying Services Running Under Specific Accounts

Security audits often require identifying services running under particular user accounts. While Get-Service doesn't directly expose the service account, combining it with WMI provides this information:

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_Service | Where-Object {$_.StartName -like "*LocalSystem*"} | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, StartName, State

This query identifies all services running under the LocalSystem account, which has extensive privileges and represents a potential security concern if used unnecessarily. You can modify the StartName filter to search for specific user accounts or identify services running under non-standard credentials.

🛡️ Finding Services with Automatic Startup That Are Stopped

Services configured for automatic startup that aren't running might indicate problems requiring investigation:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.StartType -eq "Automatic" -and $_.Status -ne "Running"} | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, Status | Format-Table -AutoSize

This query quickly identifies potential issues with service startup, dependency problems, or misconfigurations. Regular execution of this check helps maintain system health and identify problems before they affect users or applications.

📊 Creating a Service Inventory Report

Comprehensive service inventories are valuable for documentation, compliance, and change management. This script creates a detailed report including service status, startup type, and account information:

$Services = Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_Service | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, State, StartMode, StartName, PathName

$Services | Export-Csv -Path "C:\ServiceInventory.csv" -NoTypeInformation

$Services | Group-Object -Property StartMode | Select-Object Name, Count | Format-Table -AutoSize

This approach combines service data collection with immediate analysis, showing how many services use each startup mode. The exported CSV provides a baseline for comparison after system changes or for compliance documentation.

"Regular service inventory snapshots enable drift detection—comparing current configurations against known-good baselines to identify unauthorized or accidental changes."

⚙️ Monitoring Service Status Changes

Detecting when services stop unexpectedly requires monitoring over time. This script compares current service status against a baseline:

$Baseline = Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"} | Select-Object Name, Status
Export-Clixml -Path "C:\ServiceBaseline.xml" -InputObject $Baseline

# Later, compare current status
$Current = Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"} | Select-Object Name, Status
$Baseline = Import-Clixml -Path "C:\ServiceBaseline.xml"

Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $Baseline -DifferenceObject $Current -Property Name | Where-Object {$_.SideIndicator -eq "<="}

Services appearing in the baseline but not in the current state have stopped since the baseline was captured. This technique enables proactive monitoring without complex monitoring software.

🔄 Bulk Service Configuration Verification

After deploying applications or applying group policies, verifying that services are configured correctly across multiple servers prevents deployment issues:

$Servers = "SERVER01","SERVER02","SERVER03"
$ServiceName = "wuauserv"

Invoke-Command -ComputerName $Servers -ScriptBlock {
    param($ServiceName)
    Get-Service -Name $ServiceName | Select-Object @{Name="ComputerName";Expression={$env:COMPUTERNAME}}, Name, Status, StartType
} -ArgumentList $ServiceName | Format-Table -AutoSize

This script queries multiple servers simultaneously and displays the service configuration in a unified view, making it easy to spot inconsistencies or misconfigurations across your infrastructure.

Performance Considerations and Best Practices

Efficient service queries become increasingly important as infrastructure scales. Understanding performance implications and following best practices ensures that service management scripts execute quickly and don't negatively impact system resources. These considerations apply whether you're querying local services or managing hundreds of remote systems.

Optimizing Filter Performance

Where possible, use cmdlet parameters for filtering rather than pipeline filtering with Where-Object. Filtering at the source reduces the amount of data transferred and processed:

# Less efficient - retrieves all services then filters
Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq "wuauserv"}

# More efficient - filters at the source
Get-Service -Name "wuauserv"

While the difference is negligible for local queries, it becomes significant when querying remote systems or working with large result sets. The principle applies to all PowerShell queries: filter as early as possible in the pipeline to minimize data processing.

Managing Remote Query Scope

When querying multiple remote systems, consider the scope of your query carefully. Retrieving all services from dozens of servers generates substantial network traffic and processing overhead:

# Retrieve only necessary properties
Invoke-Command -ComputerName $Servers -ScriptBlock {
    Get-Service | Select-Object Name, Status, StartType
} | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"}

Limiting the properties returned and filtering results reduces network bandwidth consumption and speeds up script execution. For large-scale operations, consider implementing throttling to prevent overwhelming network resources or target systems.

"Performance optimization isn't about making scripts run faster—it's about ensuring your automation scales efficiently as your infrastructure grows."

Error Handling and Reliability

Production scripts require robust error handling to deal with offline systems, permission issues, and unexpected conditions:

$Servers = "SERVER01","SERVER02","SERVER03"

foreach ($Server in $Servers) {
    try {
        $Services = Get-Service -ComputerName $Server -ErrorAction Stop
        Write-Host "Successfully queried $Server - $($Services.Count) services found"
    }
    catch {
        Write-Warning "Failed to query $Server : $($_.Exception.Message)"
    }
}

This pattern ensures that script execution continues even when individual systems are unavailable, logging errors for later investigation while processing successful queries. The ErrorAction parameter controls how PowerShell handles errors, with Stop causing exceptions that can be caught and handled gracefully.

Integration with Other PowerShell Features

The true power of PowerShell service management emerges when combining service queries with other cmdlets and features. These integrations enable sophisticated automation workflows that would be impractical or impossible with traditional administrative tools. Understanding how to chain commands and leverage PowerShell's object pipeline creates solutions that are both powerful and maintainable.

Combining Service Queries with Event Logs

Correlating service status with event log entries helps troubleshoot service failures and understand system behavior:

$ServiceName = "wuauserv"
$Service = Get-Service -Name $ServiceName

if ($Service.Status -ne "Running") {
    Get-EventLog -LogName System -Source "Service Control Manager" -Newest 50 | 
    Where-Object {$_.Message -like "*$ServiceName*"} |
    Select-Object TimeGenerated, EntryType, Message | Format-Table -AutoSize
}

This script checks a service's status and, if it's not running, retrieves recent event log entries related to that service. This approach provides context for service failures, showing error messages, dependency issues, or crash information that explains why a service stopped.

Service Management with Scheduled Tasks

Automating service monitoring through scheduled tasks ensures continuous oversight without manual intervention:

$Action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "PowerShell.exe" -Argument "-File C:\Scripts\MonitorServices.ps1"
$Trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At 3am
$Principal = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal -UserId "SYSTEM" -LogonType ServiceAccount -RunLevel Highest

Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ServiceMonitoring" -Action $Action -Trigger $Trigger -Principal $Principal

This creates a scheduled task that runs a service monitoring script daily. The script can check for stopped services, verify configurations, or generate reports, with results sent via email or logged for review. Automating these checks transforms reactive troubleshooting into proactive system management.

Integration with Configuration Management

Service configurations can be captured and reapplied using PowerShell, enabling infrastructure-as-code approaches:

# Capture current service configuration
$ServiceConfig = Get-Service | Select-Object Name, StartType | 
    Export-Csv -Path "C:\Configs\ServiceConfig.csv" -NoTypeInformation

# Apply configuration from file
$DesiredConfig = Import-Csv -Path "C:\Configs\ServiceConfig.csv"

foreach ($Service in $DesiredConfig) {
    $CurrentService = Get-Service -Name $Service.Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    if ($CurrentService -and $CurrentService.StartType -ne $Service.StartType) {
        Set-Service -Name $Service.Name -StartupType $Service.StartType
        Write-Host "Updated $($Service.Name) startup type to $($Service.StartType)"
    }
}

This pattern enables version-controlled service configurations that can be applied consistently across multiple systems or used to restore known-good configurations after troubleshooting or system changes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with proper syntax and approach, service queries sometimes encounter problems. Understanding common issues and their solutions helps maintain productive workflows and prevents frustration when scripts don't behave as expected. These troubleshooting techniques apply to both local and remote service management scenarios.

Access Denied Errors

Permission issues are among the most common obstacles when querying services, especially on remote systems. The error typically appears as "Access is denied" or similar messages. Resolving these requires appropriate credentials:

$Credential = Get-Credential
Get-Service -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Name "wuauserv" -Credential $Credential

Note that Get-Service doesn't support the -Credential parameter directly. For authenticated remote queries, use Invoke-Command with credentials:

$Credential = Get-Credential
Invoke-Command -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Credential $Credential -ScriptBlock {
    Get-Service -Name "wuauserv"
}

Ensure the account used has appropriate permissions on the target system. Typically, membership in the local Administrators group or Remote Management Users group is required for service queries.

"Permission issues in PowerShell remoting often stem from authentication protocol mismatches—verifying CredSSP, Kerberos, or NTLM configuration resolves most credential delegation problems."

Service Not Found Errors

When querying services by name, typos or incorrect service names cause "Cannot find service" errors. Service names are case-insensitive but must match exactly. To find the correct service name when you only know part of the display name:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.DisplayName -like "*Update*"} | Select-Object Name, DisplayName

This searches for services with "Update" in their display name, showing both the internal name (used in commands) and the friendly display name. Remember that the Name property is what you use in subsequent Get-Service commands, not the DisplayName.

Remote System Connectivity Issues

When remote queries fail, systematic troubleshooting identifies whether the problem is network connectivity, firewall configuration, or service availability:

# Test basic network connectivity
Test-Connection -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Count 2

# Test WinRM (required for PowerShell remoting)
Test-WSMan -ComputerName "SERVER01"

# Verify firewall rules allow service queries
Test-NetConnection -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Port 5985  # HTTP
Test-NetConnection -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Port 5986  # HTTPS

If Test-Connection succeeds but Test-WSMan fails, PowerShell remoting isn't configured or accessible on the remote system. Run Enable-PSRemoting on the target system to configure it for remote management. Firewall rules must allow traffic on ports 5985 (HTTP) and 5986 (HTTPS) for PowerShell remoting to function.

Security Considerations

Service management operations have significant security implications. Services often run with elevated privileges, and the ability to query or modify service configurations represents a powerful administrative capability. Understanding security best practices ensures that automation scripts don't inadvertently create vulnerabilities or violate organizational security policies.

Principle of Least Privilege

Scripts and scheduled tasks should run with the minimum permissions necessary to accomplish their tasks. While it's tempting to use administrative accounts for simplicity, this increases risk if scripts are compromised or misused:

# Create a dedicated service account for monitoring
# Grant only necessary permissions:
# - Read access to service configuration
# - Event log read permissions
# - No service control permissions unless required

$Credential = Get-Credential -Message "Enter monitoring account credentials"
Invoke-Command -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Credential $Credential -ScriptBlock {
    Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"}
}

Dedicated service accounts with limited permissions reduce the impact of potential security breaches. If the account is compromised, attackers cannot modify service configurations or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Secure Credential Handling

Never hardcode credentials in scripts or store them in plain text files. PowerShell provides secure methods for credential management:

# Store encrypted credentials (user-specific encryption)
$Credential = Get-Credential
$Credential | Export-Clixml -Path "C:\Secure\Credentials.xml"

# Retrieve and use stored credentials
$Credential = Import-Clixml -Path "C:\Secure\Credentials.xml"
Invoke-Command -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Credential $Credential -ScriptBlock {
    Get-Service
}

Credentials exported with Export-Clixml are encrypted using Windows Data Protection API (DPAPI) and can only be decrypted by the same user on the same computer. For credentials that need to be accessible by multiple users or systems, consider enterprise credential management solutions like Azure Key Vault or CyberArk.

"Security in automation isn't about preventing all access—it's about ensuring that access is appropriate, auditable, and aligned with organizational policies."

Audit Logging and Monitoring

Service queries themselves are relatively benign, but comprehensive logging ensures accountability and enables security investigations:

$LogPath = "C:\Logs\ServiceQueries.log"

function Write-ServiceQueryLog {
    param($Message)
    $Timestamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss"
    $LogEntry = "$Timestamp - $($env:USERNAME) - $Message"
    Add-Content -Path $LogPath -Value $LogEntry
}

Write-ServiceQueryLog "Starting service query on SERVER01"
$Services = Invoke-Command -ComputerName "SERVER01" -ScriptBlock {Get-Service}
Write-ServiceQueryLog "Completed service query - $($Services.Count) services retrieved"

Logging who performed queries, when, and against which systems creates an audit trail that's valuable for security reviews and compliance requirements. Centralized logging solutions can aggregate these logs for analysis and alerting on suspicious patterns.

How do I get a list of all services on my computer?

Use the command Get-Service without any parameters to retrieve a complete list of all services on your local computer. This displays the service name, display name, and current status in a table format. For more detailed information, pipe the output to Select-Object * to see all available properties for each service.

Can I query services on remote computers using PowerShell?

Yes, you can query remote services using either the -ComputerName parameter with Get-Service or by using Invoke-Command for more advanced scenarios. The Invoke-Command approach offers better performance when querying multiple systems simultaneously and provides access to the full range of PowerShell capabilities on remote systems. Ensure that PowerShell remoting is enabled on target systems and that you have appropriate permissions.

How do I filter services by their running status?

Filter services by status using the Where-Object cmdlet: Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"} for running services, or replace "Running" with "Stopped" to find stopped services. You can combine multiple conditions using logical operators like -and and -or to create complex filters that match your specific requirements.

What's the difference between service Name and DisplayName?

The Name property is the internal service identifier used in PowerShell commands and configuration files, while DisplayName is the user-friendly name shown in graphical tools like Services.msc. When using Get-Service with the -Name parameter, you must use the internal name, not the display name. To find the internal name when you only know the display name, use Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.DisplayName -like "*search term*"}.

How can I export service information to a file for reporting?

Export service data using the Export-Csv cmdlet: Get-Service | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType | Export-Csv -Path "C:\Services.csv" -NoTypeInformation. This creates a CSV file that can be opened in Excel or other spreadsheet applications. For other formats, use ConvertTo-Json for JSON output or Export-Clixml for XML that preserves PowerShell object structure.

Why do I get "Access Denied" errors when querying remote services?

Access denied errors typically indicate insufficient permissions on the remote system. You need administrative privileges or membership in the Remote Management Users group on the target computer. Use Invoke-Command with the -Credential parameter to provide appropriate credentials: Invoke-Command -ComputerName "SERVER01" -Credential (Get-Credential) -ScriptBlock {Get-Service}. Also verify that Windows Remote Management (WinRM) is enabled and firewall rules allow remote connections.