Windows Service Triggers

I was troubleshooting some issues with WSUS server updating firing off on some Surface Pro tablets the other week.

In doing so, it seemed the root cause was that the Windows Update Service was set to not run full time or Automatically but rather manually and based on service trigger starts.

Hmmm. Time to learn me some facts about Windows service triggers.

• Service Trigger Events (Windows) – Windows Dev Center
• “A service can register to be started or stopped when a trigger event occurs. This eliminates the need for services to start when the system starts, or for services to poll or actively wait for an event; a service can start when it is needed, instead of starting automatically whether or not there is work to do. “
• Windows service trigger start - difference manual vs automatic? - Server Fault
• Windows 7 Trigger Start Service – CodeProject – good article that goes into service triggers even if you don’t need the code tips that are also on the page.
• Using the registry editor to change the service state – Smallvoid.com
• Windows 7 Service Triggers – Anything about IT
• Windows: Remove a trigger from a service (Prevent the DNS Client (dnscache) from stopping) - Michls Tech Blog
• Using SC to manage Service Triggers on Windows 8/2012/7/2008 R2 – Core Technologies Consulting
• Service Trigger Editor - A free utility to manage Service Triggers – Core Technologies Consulting

Now we know!

--Claus Valca