Farbar Service Scanner (FSS)

Overview

Farbar Service Scanner (FSS) is a lightweight diagnostic tool developed by Farbar. It is designed to scan for issues related to Windows services, particularly those affecting network connectivity and security settings. The tool is commonly used in malware removal and troubleshooting scenarios where critical services have been disabled or corrupted by infections.

FSS generates a detailed log file that helps IT professionals and security analysts diagnose problems and restore missing or broken Windows services.

Features

Scans and reports the status of critical Windows services.
Detects issues with services related to internet connectivity.
Identifies missing or disabled registry entries affecting network components.
Generates a detailed log for further troubleshooting.
Portable and does not require installation.

Compatibility

Farbar Service Scanner is compatible with:

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10
Windows 11

Usage

Download FSS from the official BleepingComputer website.
Run the executable as an administrator (no installation required).
Select the services to scan (DNS, Firewall, System Restore, etc.).
Click "Scan" to analyze the system.
Review the generated log file for detected issues and missing services.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✔ Quick and efficient service diagnostics.
✔ Portable and does not require installation.
✔ Free and regularly updated.

Cons

✘ Does not automatically fix detected issues.
✘ Requires manual troubleshooting based on scan results.
✘ Primarily useful for network and service-related issues.

Alternative Software

FRST (Farbar Recovery Scan Tool) – A comprehensive system diagnostic and malware analysis tool.
Rkill – Stops malware processes to allow further scanning.
NetAdapter Repair All In One – A tool for fixing network connection issues.

Developer

Author: Farbar
Status: Actively maintained and regularly updated.