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If you trying to delete a service from command prompt using the “sc delete” command and you receive the error “[SC] OpenService FAILED 5: Access is denied”, in this guide you’ll find two reliable methods to resolve the error.
The “[SC] OpenService FAILED 5: Access is denied” error usually occurs when the user trying to delete a Windows service does not have the required permissions to do so. In other cases, the error may occur even if the user has the required permissions, e.g. when a service has been corrupted or due to special permissions that prevent its deletion.
How to fix: “SC OpenService FAILED 5: Access is denied” error in “SC DELETE” command.*
* Important: Before continuing with the methods below, make sure that:
1. You are logged into Windows with a user who has administrator rights.
2. You run the “sc delete” command at the administrator command prompt.
3. The service you’re trying to delete is not running. To stop a service from command prompt, use one of these commands:
- sc stop “service name”
- net stop “service name”
Method 1. Delete Service from Registry.
The first method to resolve the error “”[SC] OpenService FAILED 5: Access is denied”. is to remove the service in Registry:
1a. Press the Windows 
+ R keys to open the Run command box.
1b. Type regedit and press Enter to open the registry editor.
2. In Registry Editor, navigate to this location:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServices
3. Under the “Services” key locate the service that you cannot delete from command prompt.
4. Then right-click on the service and choose Delete. Then click Yes to confirm. *
* Note: If you receive an error when deleting the service, follow the instructions on method-2 below.
5. Close the Registry Editor and reboot the machine to apply the change and you’re done!
Method 2. Delete Service using Autoruns.
The second way to delete a service that displays the error “SC OpenService FAILED 5: Access is denied” when you try to delete it using the “sc delete” command, is by using Autoruns.
Autoruns is a utility developed by Sysinternals, which is now part of Microsoft. Autoruns allows users to view and manage the programs, processes, services and drivers that automatically start with Windows.
To delete a service with Autoruns.
1. Download Autoruns and Autorunsc from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns
2. When the download is completed extract the downloaded Autoruns.zip file to a folder.
3. Explorer the folder’s contents, right-click to Autoruns64.exe* and choose Run as administrator.
* Note: If you own 32-bit Windows, right-click on Autoruns.exe.
4. In ‘Autoruns’ select the Services tab, right-click on the service you want and select Delete to remove it.
5. Restart you PC and you’re done!
That’s all folks! Did it work for you?
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