Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be a legitimate PsTools binary from a trusted source
Warning
PsService can run with multiple instances
Often invoked by PsTools scripts; may appear briefly during remote operations
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disable or stop PsService only when not performing service management tasks
What is psservice.exe?
psservice.exe is the Windows Sysinternals PsTools PsService component. It enables remote and local service management, starting, stopping, and querying services across machines, typically via PsService commands or scripts.
PsService uses RPC to invoke service control functions on local or remote hosts; it is designed for scripting and automation within IT environments.
Quick Fact: PsTools originated from Sysinternals and is now maintained under Microsoft; psservice.exe is one of its core utilities for service management.
Types of PsService Processes
- Service Manager: Core logic to control Windows services
- Remote Controller: Executes commands on remote hosts via RPC
- Auxiliary Runner: Orchestrates combined PsTools operations
- Wrapper / Proxy: Enables scripting integration and automation
Is psservice.exe Safe?
Yes, psservice.exe is safe when obtained from official Sysinternals/Microsoft sources and located in legitimate PsTools directories.
Is psservice.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real psservice.exe is NOT a virus. Malicious files may mimic its name; verify authenticity and location.
How to Tell if psservice.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Sysinternals\PsTools\psservice.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Sysinternals\PsTools\psservice.exe
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a signer like "Microsoft Corporation" or "Sysinternals".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low; high CPU when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Should not launch arbitrary network requests or persist after task completion.
Red Flags: If psservice.exe is located in Temp, AppData, or System32 without PsTools, or if it runs without commands, or lacks a valid digital signature, scan for malware.
Why Is psservice.exe Running on My PC?
psservice.exe runs during admin workflows to manage Windows services locally or remotely, and can be invoked by scripts or PsTools utilities.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Admin Operations: You are actively starting, stopping, or querying a service via PsService
- Remote Management: A remote admin task or script is controlling services on another machine
- PsTools Invocation: PsExec or PsTools bundles spawn psservice.exe to perform tasks
- Scheduled Maintenance: Automated maintenance tasks use PsService for service state checks
- Background Service Control: Monitoring tools or IT automation may trigger PsService for service health checks
Can I Disable or Remove psservice.exe?
Yes, you can disable psservice.exe. If you do not use Sysinternals PsTools, removing PsTools will prevent psservice.exe from running.
How to Stop psservice.exe
- End Active Commands: Finish the current PsService operation or script
- Terminate Process: Open Task Manager, locate psservice.exe, and End Task
- Remove PsTools: Uninstall PsTools from Programs and Features or delete the PsTools directory
- Prevent Startup: Ensure PsTools auto-run isn't invoked by startup scripts
- Audit Scripting: Review automated tasks to ensure legitimate PsService usage
How to Uninstall PsTools
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Sysinternals PsTools -> Uninstall
- ✔ Delete PsTools directory from disk
- ✔ Restart system to ensure no residual processes
Common Problems: PsService Resource or Access Issues
If psservice.exe misbehaves or refuses actions, try these checks.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Insufficient privileges: Run as Administrator or with elevated rights in PsExec
- Firewall or RPC issues: Ensure RPC ports are open and remote admin access is allowed
- Invalid command syntax: Check PsService syntax and service names; use top-level commands first
- Outdated PsTools: Update to the latest PsTools version from the official site
- Remote host not reachable: Verify network connectivity and target host availability
- Permission on target service: Ensure you're allowed to control the target service on the remote machine
Quick Fixes:
1. Open the PsTools directory and run psservice.exe with proper arguments
2. Run as Administrator
3. Check firewall and RPC settings on target machine
4. Update PsTools to the latest version
5. Review and validate the target service name
Frequently Asked Questions
Is psservice.exe a virus?
No, psservice.exe from official Sysinternals/Microsoft sources is not a virus. Verify path and signature to be safe.
What does psservice.exe do?
psservice.exe is part of Sysinternals PsTools and allows you to start, stop, and query Windows services on local or remote machines.
Where should psservice.exe be located?
Typically inside the PsTools directory, e.g., C:\Program Files\Sysinternals\PsTools\psservice.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Sysinternals\PsTools\psservice.exe.
Can I run psservice.exe remotely?
Yes. PsService is designed for remote service management via RPC when you have appropriate credentials.
How do I stop psservice.exe if it's stuck?
End the process in Task Manager or terminate the PsTools task; then investigate the script or command that invoked it.
Do I need PsTools installed to use psservice.exe?
Yes. PsService is part of PsTools; you need the PsTools package to run psservice.exe.