Disabling unneeded services
A service is a software application that runs continuously in the background while your computer is on. The Windows operating system has numerous services that run in the background that provide basic functions to the system. Network connectivity, visual support, and external device connectivity such as printer services are all examples of the types of services that the Windows services provide. Each of the services running in the background take up system resources, such as memory and CPU time. Also, during the booting of the operating system, the service has to be loaded. On most computers, there are nearly 20 services that are loaded upon startup. Of these 20 services, only a handful are system-critical services. All of the others can be disabled. In order to disable a service, first you will need to know more about what the most common services do.Table below will help you understand what the most common services are, what they do, and if they can be disabled.
Common Windows Services in Use
| Service Name | Service Use |
| Automatic Updates | Used to download and then install updates automatically without the user going to Windows Update manually. This service is not system-critical and can be disabled, but unless you check for updates regularly, it is not recommended to disable this service |
| Background Intelligent Transfer Service | A service that transfers data in the background when the connection is not in use. One use of this service is to download updates automatically in the background. This service is not system-critical but can impair other services, such as automatic updates, if it is disabled |
| Com+ Event System | Basically controls the notification of certain system events, such as log on and log off. The system event notification is dependent on this service. This service is system-critical |
| Computer Browser | Keeps track of the other computers on your network running the Microsoft Client for networking. This is what provides the list of computers when you are browsing your workgroup computer in My Network Places. This service is not systemcritical and can be disabled if you do not need the network browsing function |
| Cryptographic Services | Basically manages system security certificates as well as provides a database of signatures of key Windows files. This service is not system-critical but it is required to install many Microsoft programs that want to check system file signatures. It is not recommended to disable this service because doing so would not allow Windows Update to run and install new updates |
| DCOM Server Process Launcher | Basically is in charge of starting various other services. This service is required for RPC, which is required for over 39 other services to run. Because of that, it is not a good idea to disable this one |
| DHCP Client | Provides support for dynamic network configuration. This service is not system-critical but is needed for those that do not set their IP address manually |
| Distributed Link Tracking Client | Keeps track of links to files on a NTFS volume on your computer or across a network. This service is not systemcritical and can be disabled. |
| DNS Client | Resolves domain names into IP addresses, as well as caches lookup results. This service is not system-critical but you will not be able to browse the Internet without it started |
| Error Reporting Service | Allows users to report failures of applications directly to Microsoft so that Microsoft may fix bugs in its software if it is the culprit. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled |
| Event Log | Allows event messages to be recorded to be viewed in Event Viewer. This service is system-critical and cannot be disabled |
| Fast User Switching Compatibility | Allows users to switch to other users on the same system without logging off. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled |
| Help and Support | Used for the Help and support center. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled |
| HTTP SSL | Allows the personal Web server built into Windows XP (IIS 6.0) to provide secure data transfers over HTTP. This service is rarely used because most people never even set up the personal Web server on Windows XP. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled |
| Indexing Service | Creates a searchable database of, the items on your hard drive. This service is not system-critical and can be disabled if you do not search your drive often or can wait a few extra minutes to find a file |
| IPSEC Services | Provides IP security for certain secure connections over IP. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled. |
| Logical Disk Manager | Detects and monitors new hard disk drives. This service is not system-critical but it is used when you are upgrading your hardware and installing additional storage devices or using USB storage devices. If you do not plan on using any of the items above, the service may be safely disabled |
| Machine Debug Manager | Provides support for program and script debugging. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled for most users. |
| Messenger | Allows users to send text popup messages to computers on the network. This service is abused by spammers to send you advertisements. It is highly recommended that you disable this service |
| Network Connections | Provides, support for network connectivity. This service is not system-critical but it is recommended that it is not disabled |
| Network Location Awareness (NLA) | Provides services to computers that share your Internet connection. If you do not use the Internet connection feature, then, you may safely disable this service because it is not a system-critical service |
| Plug and Play | Allows your computer to detect hardware. This service is system-critical and cannot be disabled |
| Portable Media Serial Number Service | Detects the serial number of an external media device. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled |
| Print Spooler | Provides services to print. This service is not system-critical but it is necessary to print from your computer |
| Protected Storage | Provides basic security over certain system files. This service issystem-critical and should not be disabled |
| Remote Procedure Call (RPC) | Provides services for other services. This service is systemcritical and cannot be disabled |
| Remote Registry (Not included in XP Home) | Allows the System Registry to be connected to remotely. This service is not system-critical and it is recommended that it be disabled |
| Secondary Logon | Allows programs, to be started under different accounts. This service is system-critical |
| Security Accounts Manager | A database of local account information. This service is system-critical and should not be disabled |
| Security Center | Monitors your system security settings to notify you if your settings are insecure. You should keep this service running unless you are confident about your computer's security. No other services depend on this service and it can be safely disabled given you have a good handle on your security |
| Server | Provides the ability to share files and your printer over your network. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled if you do not share files over a network |
| Shell Hardware Detection | Used to detect external storage devices automatically. If you do not use any external storage devices, such as external hard drives or memory cards, this service can be safely disabled |
| SSDP Discovery Service | Looks for Universal Plug and Play drives on your network. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled |
| System Event Notification | Tracks more system events. This service is system-critical and should not be disabled. |
| System Restore Service | Keeps track of changes made to your system to make restore points. This service is not system-critical but it is recommended that it is not disabled |
| Task Scheduler | Allows users, to schedule and configure tasks. This service is not system-critical and can be disabled if you do not need to schedule any tasks to run |
| TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper | Allows the NetBIOS network protocol to run over the TCP/IP Protocol. This service is not system-critical and can be disabled if you have no use for the NetBIOS protocol |
| Terminal Services | Allows users to connect to the computer with a remote desktop. This service is not system-critical but is used by the remote assistance Help feature. It can be safely disabled if you do not need the remote assistance feature |
| Themes | This is the service that gives Windows the new look. It allows visual styles to be applied over the normal gray Windows 2000 style windows. This service is not system-critical and can be disabled |
| WebClient | This service adds support for Web-based file management for technologies such as WebDav. Most users will never need to use this service. It is not system-critical and can be safely disabled |
| Windows Audio | Provides audio support for the operating system. This service is not system-critical and can be safely disabled if you would like to give up your sound |
| Windows Firewall / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) | Protects your computer from intruders and malicious programs attacking your computer via your Internet connection. It also provides the ability to share your Internet connection among other computers on your local network. This service is not system-critical but I do not recommend that you disable it unless you have another personal firewall application installed on your computer |
| Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) | Used to acquire data from optical devices such as a scanner or a camera. This service is not system-critical and it can be safely disabled if you have no use for it |
| Windows Management Instrumentation | Provides system information to applications. This service is system-critical and should not be disabled |
| Windows Time | This service is in charge of synchronizing the Windows time. If you do not need to have your time synchronized, this service can be safely disabled |
| Wireless Zero Configuration | Configures wireless 802.11 devices. If you do not have any wireless hardware installed, you may safely disable this service |
| Workstation | Allows your computer to make connections to other computers and servers. This service is not system-critical but it is needed for any basic networking |
Now that you know which services can be disabled and which services are important to your system, you can safely speed up your boot by disabling the extra services using the services management tool.
Before you begin changing your service setup, set a System Restore Point to easily restore your system to an earlier configuration. However, be careful when you restore from restore points. Any applications or files that were created after the system restore point will be deleted when reverting to an earlier restore point. The Services utility is included in all versions of Windows XP and is hidden away. Do the following to disable a service using the Services utility:
- Click the Start Menu and select Run. In the text box, type services.msc and click OK.
This will start the Services utility, as shown below.
- Now that you are in the Services utility, you will see a list of a lot of services on your computer. First, you will need to stop the service that you want to disable. Right-click the service name and select Stop on the pop-up menu.
- When the service is stopped, right-click the service again and select Properties. Located on the General tab, look for the Startup Type drop-down box. Click the arrow on the drop-down box and select Disabled.
- Click the OK button and from now on, the system will not start the service any more during boot, speeding up your system start.
Bare-bones system service setup
To get the maximum amount of performance out of your system, you have the option of disabling all of the services on your computer that are not critical to the system. This would take away a lot of the nice features and conveniences of Windows, but you would have a much faster machine. The following is a list of system-critical services that should not be disabled. Feel free to disable all other services.
Bare Minimum Services:- Com+ Event System
- Cryptographic Services
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- DHCP Client
- DNS Client
- Event Log
- IPSEC Services
- Workstation
- Shell Hardware Detection
- System Event Notification
- Protected Storage
- Network Connections
- Plug + Play
- Print Spooler
- Remote Procedure Call
- Secondary Logon
- Security Accounts Manager
Recommended service setup
The bare-bones system service setup is a good setup for optimal performance. However, don't you want to have some of the conveniences of Windows XP? Check out the recommended services to disable shown in the following list. If you follow these recommendations, you will cut down on your boot time but you will also have the nice features and conveniences of Windows XP. Disable the following services:
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Distributed Link Tracking Client
- Error Reporting Service
- Fast User Switching Compatibility
- Help and Support
- Indexing Service
- Messenger
- Machine Debug Manager
- Network Location Awareness (NLA)
- Portable Media Serial Number Service
- Remote Registry (Only included with Windows XP Pro)
- SSDP Discovery Service
- Terminal Services
- Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
- Wireless Zero Configuration (If you have a wireless network card, do not disable this one)
- Windows Time
- WebClient
- Task Scheduler