Using NET STOP and NET START commands to force IIS services to re-read the registry (236166)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 Option Pack
This article was previously published under Q236166
We strongly recommend that all users upgrade to Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 6.0 running on Microsoft Windows Server 2003. IIS 6.0 significantly increases Web infrastructure security. For more information about IIS security-related topics, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/IIS.mspx

SUMMARY

When you make changes to the registry that affect IIS and its dependent services, you must stop and restart those services in order to force them to re-read the registry.

As an alternative to stopping and starting those services using the Services applet in Control Panel, you can use the NET STOP and NET START commands.

MORE INFORMATION

Stopping IISADMIN and its dependent services

To stop all IIS-related services, type NET STOP IISADMIN /Y at a command prompt. This will stop the IIS Admin Service and all dependent services. Below is an example of the output you will see after issuing this command (the dependent services listed on your computer may vary): 

The following services are dependent on the IIS Admin Service service.
Stopping the IIS Admin Service service will also stop these services.

   FTP Publishing Service
   Microsoft NNTP Service
   Microsoft SMTP Service
   World Wide Web Publishing Service

You will then see a message displayed as each service is successfully stopped.

Starting the IIS-related services

Use the NET START command to restart the IIS-related services you use. For example, to restart the World Wide Web service, type NET START W3SVC.

Determining service names

To determine the service names, start Registry Editor (type Regedit.exe or Regedt32.exe) and go to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

Under Services, the service name that works with the NET STOP and NET START commands is listed.

NOTE: For each service, there is also a DisplayName value, which is the name listed in the Services applet in Control Panel and in the messages displayed after the NET STOP and NET START commands are run. However, these Display Names cannot be used as a parameter with the NET STOP and NET START commands.

Common IIS-related services

Service NameDisplay Name
IisadminIIS Admin Service
MsftpsvcFTP Publishing Service
NntpsvcMicrosoft NNTP Service
SmtpsvcMicrosoft SMTP Service
W3svcWorld Wide Web Publishing Service

(c) Microsoft Corporation 2000, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Kevin Zollman, Microsoft Corporation.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/31/2006
Keywords:kbhowto KB236166
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.