disable

disable [-n] NAME [S|0|1|2|3|4|5|6]

-n
    Trial run: print actions without making changes

NAME
    Service name (e.g., httpd; must have /etc/init.d/NAME script)

runlevel
    Optional: single runlevel (S,0-6); omits for all

The disable command prevents SysV init services from starting automatically at boot by renaming startup symlinks in runlevel directories. It targets /etc/rcN.d/SnnNAME links, renaming them to DISABLEDnnNAME, where N is the runlevel.

Without a specified runlevel, it affects all (S,0-6). Designed for legacy SysV init systems, it's invoked as root to manage services like httpd or nfs.

The -n option simulates actions without changes. Pair with enable to toggle. In systemd distros, use systemctl disable instead, as disable only impacts SysV links.

Common in RHEL/Fedora pre-systemd setups for quick service control without editing configs.

Requires root privileges.
Only affects existing SysV symlinks.
No effect on systemd units.
Runlevels must match existing directories.

Renames SnnNAME → DISABLEDnnNAME in /etc/rcN.d/.

disable nfs
Disables NFS in all runlevels.

disable -n httpd 3 5
Previews disabling httpd in runlevels 3,5.

Originated in mid-1990s with initscripts package for Red Hat Linux SysV init service management. Evolved for runlevel symlink handling; largely superseded by systemd since ~2010s.

enable(8), chkconfig(8), update-rc.d(8), systemctl(1)