How to fix services.msc not opening, not working or not found error Windows 10?

Most likely the error like services.msc not opening/ working/ found due to corrupted registry files. Try using system file checker to fix the problem with the MSC file. You can also try registering some .DLL files using Registry and Command Prompt. For the complete detailed guide, check this article.

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MSC or Microsoft Management Console is a snap-in control panel file. Various examples of MSC tools within system include the Device Manager, Task Scheduler, Disk Defragmenter, Group Policy Editor and Shared Folders.

However, some Windows 10 users have recently reported that they can’t always open MSC files with an error message stating MSC cannot open the file. People dealing with this issue, services.msc opens up with a blank and people have no access to its functionality.

If you are also dealing with services.msc not opening issue for a Windows utility, here are the potential fixes that you should to get the required fix. Since there are different reasons possible what causing the issue, the multiple possible fixes are available that you have to look for:

Possible fixes for services.msc not opening/ not working/ not found error

Fix 1: Run the System File Checker

The services/msc not working issue can be because of corrupted system files. System File checker is a built-in Windows tool to check for the possible corrupted files and repair them automatically. So, it might help you in fixing this issue. Here are the required steps:

  • Press Win+ X,
  • Click on Command Prompt (Admin),
  • Alternatively, type CMD on the Windows Search box,
  • Then, hold the Ctrl+ Shift key and then select Command Prompt to open it as administrator,
  • In the Prompt Window, input the below command and hit Enter:

Sfc/ scannow

  • Wait till the Windows scans for the corrupt files and automatically repair them,
  • Restart the Windows once done and see if this provides you the fix.

Fix 2: Register DLL Files with Regsvr32

The MSC might have missing or have corrupted DLL file due to which the services.msc not found error occurs. In that case, you should consider using Regsvr32 command-line utility to register DLLs. To fix the MSC cannot open the file error:

  • Press Win+ R, type in regsvr32 and hit Enter,
  • Once in this folder, go to this file path in the File Explorer:

C:/DocumentsAnd Settings/username/Application/Data/Microsoft/MMC

(Here, replace the username with the actual username folder title. That folder contains MSC files)

  • Look for the MSC which is not opening,
  • Right-click on it and select the Rename option and enter Fiilename_old as the new title for this file,
  • Restart the Windows OS and perform the action which was previously causing the problem and see if now the problem is resolved.

If you find problem in performing the previous method, you can register MMC DLLs using Command Prompt. To do that, follow the below steps:

  • Open Command Prompt as Admin,
  • Enter the below command and hit Return key:

C:Windowssystem32cd %windir%system32

  • Then input the below commands in the Command Prompt and press Return on each time:

Regsvr32 Msxml.dll

Regsvr32 Msxml2.dll

Regsvr32 Msxml3.dll

  • Exit the Command Prompt Window and then restart the Windows.

Fix 3: Scan the Registry

If services.msc not opening error continues, you should check and ensure that the problem is not caused due to corrupted or invalid registry entries. Windows does not have a built-in registry cleaner, but there are plenty of third party packages available with the help of which you can perform the action.

Fix 4: Fix MMC DLLs with File Association Fixer V2

This is a piece of software that enables you fix any broken file associations when registry is corrupted. You can fix MMC DLLs with the File Association Fixer. So, this might be a utility if you are dealing with an issue where your MSC file is not opening.

Fix 5: Perform Windows Restore

If none of the above methods work and you still receive services.msc not opening error, make sure you use the functionality of System Restore to undo recent system changes and go back to the state where the PC was not having any such problems:

  • Enter System Restore from the Windows Search,
  • Click on Create a Restore Point,
  • Now, in the System Properties Window, click on System Restore,
  • Click Next and then select Show more restore points option,
  • Select a restore point with the date before which there was MSC file not working error,
  • Press ‘Next’ and Finish button to restore the Windows to the selected date.
Conclusion

That’s all! We are now rounding off our article on how to fix services.msc not opening/ msc not working/ not found error. Hope so, these solutions provide you  the required fix. Comment down below in case of any queries, questions and suggestions regarding the post.