Came across a freebie tool that is really proving invaluable to me and I wanted to share the love.  Whether you write Windows services or just have a vague idea of what they are you need to read further.

Its called Service Studio and manages Windows Services (Services MMC replacement) from an incredibly powerful interface.  Here is a list of a few of the highlights:

• Multi-select services and adjust their properties all at once.
• Create Service Profiles and Switch between with a single click.
• Remotely Manage another machines Services (yep you heard me)
• Review Service Dependencies
• View Current Service Memory footprint in a graphical form.

This profile thing is a real life saver. In my case - I am continually changing from my developer profile (containing Aware / SQL / VM Services) and to my designer profile (just network / security services left on).  On laptops this works great as well - as you may have a development profile and a Starbucks profile - or an audio recording profile and a gamers profile. (whatever floats your boat).

Check it out... its free and has Ryan's personal seal of approval.

Service Studio

Our Current Options

Ok..  smarty pants.  Your first inclination is to say.. "Ryan haven't you heard of the Services MMC Snap-In?".  O contraire.. I have and have spent many dozen clicks to yield changing the startup type of 3 services.

( for those who aren't familiar in XP we had )

(hold your applause... I know its some good look'n stuff)

But wait in Vista we have a new and not improved version.

New great look! No new love.

The Ninja Weapon

(drum roll please...)

Ok look at this thing..  If it did nothing more than let me multi-select and change properties I would consider it a must have.  But hang on to your horses!

How about a visual representation of the service footprint?

Ok.. I'm done sharing for the day.