Windows services not starting automatically?

Solution 1:

W32time will not start automatically if the PC is not in a domain. Damn Microsoft!

Try to run this: sc triggerinfo w32time start/networkon stop/networkoff

Solution 2:

One possible explanation, from this thread:

The way I understood it, basically the service won't be turned on until you or a task or a piece of hardware or network, start an event to turn it on. When you try to update the time, you call on the service and trigger the event 'Start xyz service'. It can also turn the service off when finished. That's very simplified. It is one reason why seven is faster, because many services are only running when needed instead of running all the time waiting for something to use them. In effect you don't have to try to decide which services you need or don't, they can take care of themselves.

He's talking about the new kernel in Windows 7.

Since Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 do share the same kernel, I wonder if the resolution is the same?

They recommend setting the service to automatic/delayed start to fix this.

I still maintain it's downright insane that a service set to automatic wouldn't be started ... and I don't fully understand the semantic difference between a delayed auto-start and an auto-start, but if it works, I guess I won't complain.