ServicesScripts

Windows Services Migration Scripts

This directory contains two PowerShell scripts for exporting and importing Windows services configuration between computers.

Scripts Overview

1. Export-WindowsServices.ps1

Exports Windows services configuration from the source computer to a CSV file, capturing all relevant service properties including name, display name, description, path, startup type, logon account, dependencies, and recovery options.

2. Import-WindowsServices.ps1

Imports services configuration from the CSV file to update existing services or create new services on the target computer with all their original properties.

Prerequisites

• Administrator privileges required on both source and target computers
• PowerShell 5.1 or later
• Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+

Usage

Step 1: Export from Source Computer

# Run as Administrator
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1 -OutputPath "C:\Migration\services.csv"

Parameters:

• -OutputPath (optional): Path where the CSV file will be saved. Default: .\ServicesExport.csv
• -IncludeSystemServices (optional): Include system services in the export (by default, only non-system services are exported)
• -IncludeDisabledServices (optional): Include disabled services in the export (by default, only non-disabled services are exported)
• -FilterByName (optional): Filter services by name or display name (supports wildcards)
• -FilterByStartupType (optional): Filter services by startup type (Automatic, AutomaticDelayedStart, Manual, Disabled)

Examples:

# Export all non-system services to default location
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1

# Export to specific location
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1 -OutputPath "D:\Backup\services.csv"

# Export including system services
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1 -IncludeSystemServices

# Export only SQL Server related services
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1 -FilterByName "SQL*"

# Export only automatic services
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1 -FilterByStartupType "Automatic"

# Export only automatic delayed start services
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1 -FilterByStartupType "AutomaticDelayedStart"

Step 2: Transfer CSV File

Copy the generated CSV file to the target computer.

Step 3: Import to Target Computer

# Run as Administrator
.\Import-WindowsServices.ps1 -InputPath "C:\Migration\services.csv"

Parameters:

• -InputPath (required): Path to the CSV file created by the export script
• -BackupPath (optional): Path to save a backup of existing services before importing
• -SkipExisting (optional): Skip existing services instead of updating them
• -CreateMissing (optional): Create services that don't exist on the target computer
• -ServicePassword (optional): SecureString password for service accounts when creating or updating services
• -LogPath (optional): Path for the import log file. Default: .\ServicesImport.log

Examples:

# Basic import (updates existing services only)
.\Import-WindowsServices.ps1 -InputPath "services.csv"

# Import with backup of existing services
.\Import-WindowsServices.ps1 -InputPath "services.csv" -BackupPath "services_backup.csv"

# Skip existing services
.\Import-WindowsServices.ps1 -InputPath "services.csv" -SkipExisting

# Create missing services with password for service accounts
$SecurePass = ConvertTo-SecureString "ServicePassword" -AsPlainText -Force
.\Import-WindowsServices.ps1 -InputPath "services.csv" -CreateMissing -ServicePassword $SecurePass

# Custom log file location
.\Import-WindowsServices.ps1 -InputPath "services.csv" -LogPath "C:\Logs\services_import.log"

What Gets Migrated

The scripts capture and recreate the following service properties:

Basic Properties

• Service name and display name
• Description
• Binary path (executable path)
• Startup type (Automatic, Manual, Disabled)
• Delayed auto-start setting
• Logon account

Advanced Properties

• Service dependencies
• Recovery options (actions on failure)
• Service type
• Error control settings
• Load order group
• Desktop interaction settings

Important Notes

Security Considerations

• Service account passwords are not exported for security reasons
• When importing services with custom accounts, you must provide a password
• Some services may require specific permissions to be configured correctly
• System services should generally not be modified

Limitations

• Some Windows system services cannot be fully recreated or modified
• Services that depend on hardware-specific drivers may not work properly when migrated
• Binary paths must be valid on the target computer
• Service account domains must be accessible on the target computer
• Recovery command paths must exist on the target computer

Best Practices

1. Test first: Run on a test system before production migration
2. Backup: Always use the -BackupPath parameter when importing
3. Filter: Use filter parameters to export only the services you need
4. Verify: Check all imported services after migration
5. Security: Ensure service accounts have appropriate permissions

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Access Denied" errors:

• Ensure you're running PowerShell as Administrator
• Some Windows services are protected and cannot be modified
• Check if the service is currently running and cannot be stopped

"Service already exists" warnings:

• Use -SkipExisting to skip existing services
• Or allow the script to update existing services (default behavior)

Service account issues:

• Ensure the specified account exists on the target computer
• Provide a valid password using the -ServicePassword parameter
• Domain accounts require the domain to be accessible

Binary path issues:

• Ensure the executable path exists on the target computer
• Update paths manually if necessary after import

Log Files

The import script creates detailed logs at the specified location (default: ServicesImport.log). Check this file for detailed information about any issues.

Verification Steps

After import, verify:

1. Services exist: Get-Service -Name "ServiceName"
2. Services have correct properties: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service -Filter "Name='ServiceName'" | Format-List *
3. Services start correctly: Start-Service -Name "ServiceName"
4. Services function as expected

Example Workflow

# On source computer (as Administrator)
.\Export-WindowsServices.ps1 -OutputPath "C:\Migration\app_services.csv" -FilterByName "App*" -IncludeDisabledServices

# Transfer file to target computer
# Copy app_services.csv to target computer

# On target computer (as Administrator)
$SecurePass = ConvertTo-SecureString "ServicePassword123!" -AsPlainText -Force
.\Import-WindowsServices.ps1 -InputPath "C:\Migration\app_services.csv" -BackupPath "C:\Backup\original_services.csv" -CreateMissing -ServicePassword $SecurePass

# Verify import
Get-Service -Name "App*" | Format-Table Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType

Support

For issues or questions:

1. Check the import log file for detailed error messages
2. Verify administrator privileges
3. Ensure PowerShell execution policy allows script execution:

   Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Version History

• v1.0: Initial release with basic export/import functionality
• Comprehensive error handling and logging
• Support for service recovery options
• Support for delayed auto-start services
• Service creation capabilities