Computerzworld

A handy trick you can do with Windows services is starting and stopping them based on a schedule you set. This way you can run background processes during a time where you will not be using the computer in order to maximize resources available to you.

For example, suppose I only wanted to run Folding@Home during non-business hours (5 PM - 8 AM), here is how I would do it:

1. Open your Services configuration: Start > Run > services.msc
2. Set the service’s startup type to Manual.
3. Create a new text file called “Folding-Start.bat” with the line: net start folding-service-name
4. Create another text file called “Folding-Stop.bat” with the line: net stop folding-service-name
5. Create a Windows Scheduled Task to run “Folding-Start.bat” at 5 PM every weekday.
6. Create another Scheduled Task to run “Folding-Stop.bat” at 8 AM every weekday.

This will ensure the service is not running during working hours, so the resources will not be used. Of course this same process and be applied to any other Windows Service you have on your system.