Ensure a Windows service is started

Short answer

Use ansible.windows to make sure a Windows service is running and set to automatic start.

Request

ensure the Spooler Windows service is started with start mode auto

Example

A quick heads-up: Every environment is different. Review and test this example before you run it on systems you care about.

---
- name: Ensure a Windows service is started
  hosts: windows
  gather_facts: false
  tasks:
    - name: Ensure Print Spooler is running
      ansible.windows.win_service:
        name: Spooler
        state: started
        start_mode: auto

How it works

win_service sets the desired service state on Windows hosts. state started starts the service when it is stopped. start_mode auto sets the service to start at boot.

When to use it

• Enforcing required Windows services after patching
• Standardizing start mode for shared application services

Requirements

• Collection: ansible.windows
• Technology: Windows
• ansible.windows collection installed
• Windows hosts reachable with WinRM or another supported connection

Validation

• Syntax validated
• Not execution-tested
• Last verified 2026-09-09