Use this guide
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The BIG Windows XP Services Guide v1.4
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By Alan (DeviantForums / 3DPixel.net)
Edited and Modified by: [deXter]
IMPORTANT NOTE:
***************
* It is recommended that you make a backup of your registry / or use system restore
before you proceed
* Do NOT use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead!
* Dont modify all services at one go. Instead, modify in small numbers, like 5 at a time
so that you can reboot and check if everythings working fine
* In case you system doesnt work properly after modifying the services, try booting up
in safe mode to: change the services back to normal, or use system restore
* You can also use the option 'Last known good settings' in the F8 menu to go back to
your original settings incase something goes wrong
* After adjusting your service settings, reboot your computer.
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Descriptions and Recommendations:
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Alerter
Microsoft Description - Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts. If the service is stopped, programs that use administrative alerts will not receive them. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Good for big brother corporate networks. Home PCs do not need to send/receive administrative alerts.
Doesent Exactly do much for hindering performance, so leave it on Manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Application Layer Gateway Service
Microsoft Description - Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall
Human Description - Good if the system is a gateway/client on a NAT LAN, also (attempts to) protect nasty script kiddies from turning you and your friends' computers into their pawns in the quest for world domination.
XP's Firewall is about as useful as a chocolate Teapot. Disable this service unless you are on a home LAN and use Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Application Management
Microsoft Description - Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove.
Human Description - Does exactly what it says on the tin.
Best leaving this on the default setting of Manual. Rarely used but when you need it, it will be activated.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Automatic Updates
Microsoft Description - Enables the download and installation of critical Windows updates. If the service is disabled, the operating system can be manually updated at the Windows Update Web site.
Human Description - Allows Windows XP free reign to contact the Microsoft servers and download a whole host of "critical" updates.
Most likely Windows XP will attempt this every time you are furiously playing Counter-Strike or Q3, then suddenly you wonder why you can't hit a barn-door from 5 paces as your ping rockets to 500ms+. No thanks Bill, think I can connect to WindowsUpdate by myself...
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Microsoft Description - Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data.
Human Description - A sneaky way of doing Automatic Updates - Windows XP will judge whether you are using your bandwidth or just sat there motionless looking at your screen. If not it will happily download away.
If you're sat there idling and your modem is going bonkers downloading a host of information, the scaremongery of today will trigger a switch in your head that convinces yourself that you are being used for above said script kiddies' plans to turn your system into a mindless zealot for world conquest. No thanks, and besides, automatic services will quash those extra 2fps in quake 3.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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ClipBook
Microsoft Description - Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers. If the service is stopped, ClipBook Viewer will not be able to share information with remote computers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Another "exactly what it says on the tin"
Why do you want to share your random cut'n'pastes with your fellow LAN chums? Or someone who is half way around the world? If you feel this is an important contribution to your life leave it on Manual. Otherwise kill that resource eating service!
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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COM+ Event System
Microsoft Description - Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing Component Object Model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Kind of like a communication method between different modules in Windows. Used basically for 16 bit programs that require it.
Best leaving this to its default value of "Manual" as it is needed.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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COM+ System Application
Microsoft Description - Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components. If the service is stopped, most COM+-based components will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - If COM+ Event System is the car then this service is the driver
Best leaving this to its default value of "Manual" as it is needed.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Computer Browser
Microsoft Description - Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Like it says, needed to keep tracks of computers on your network.
If you're on a LAN, leave it to manual, if you're a standalone system then disable it.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Cryptographic Services
Microsoft Description - Provides three management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Among other things, this service authenticates WHQL drivers (i.e. for graphics cards)
I would personally set this to manual. If it's then needed, it starts.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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DHCP Client
Microsoft Description - Manages network configuration by registering and updating IP addresses and DNS names.
Human Description - Under Windows managed networks DCHP is useful in assigning IP/DNS addresses.
I would personally set this to manual. If it's then needed, it starts.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
*** NOTE: Some users had problems with connecting to the net, if set to manual. If you are having any such problems,
then please set it to Automatic.
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Distributed Link Tracking Client
Microsoft Description - Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network domain.
Human Description - Good for (e.g.) databases that rely on networked files for updating.
Do you share files that lots of people work on? Do you even use NTFS as a home user?
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Microsoft Description - Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Related to Distributed Link Tracking Client
The service sounds like a job title for a pointless middle manager somewhere. For home users it's the same story for our Distributed Transaction Coordinator; going nowhere fast.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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DNS Client
Microsoft Description - Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description -
Best leave this one automatic *cough*
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
EDIT ** >Actually it can be turned off. It just provides a caching
>DNS server locally to your PC. It can cause problems if you are using
>Dynamic, Round Robin, or any type of load balanced DNS upstream. I
>recommend you turn it off. Your PC will then always go upstream to do
>DNS rather than look in its own cache.***
** NOTE: Again, in case you are having problems connecting to the net, turn this service back to Automatic.
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Error Reporting Service
Microsoft Description - Allows error reporting for services and applictions running in non-standard environments.
Human Description - When something crashes (quite frequently) and Windows pops up and advises you to tell Microsoft all about it, that is the fruit of this service's loins
One of my pet hates, If something crashes I will scream at the monitor and stamp my feet as I please; I don't need to tell Microsoft that I'm doing it.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Event Log
Microsoft Description - Enables event log messages issued by Windows-based programs and components to be viewed in Event Viewer. This service cannot be stopped.
Human Description - Exactly what it says on the tin
Can't stop it, fair enough, but we can disable it muhahahahaha... unless of course you actually want to read that Internet Explorer caused a fatal exception in blah blah blah...
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
(For Multiple Users - Manual)
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Fast User Switching Compatibility
Microsoft Description - Provides management for applications that require assistance in a multiple user environment.
Human Description - For home users this functions as "switch user" when the logoff option is used.
If you want it you can have it. I set it to manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
(For single user setup - Disabled)
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Help and Support
Microsoft Description - Enables Help and Support Center to run on this computer. If this service is stopped, Help and Support Center will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Description is self-explanitory
I never use this as I suspect 90% of the people reading this don't either.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Human Interface Device Access
Microsoft Description - Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - If you have one of those fancy keyboards or other peripherals mentioned above then this allows you to use them in Windows.
I dream of fancy keyboards and remote controls, but at least I can disable this service (Obviously don't if you are fancy)
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
Microsoft Description - Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to record CDs. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Controls the in-built CD-burning software in XP
If you don't use the in-built software then disable the service. Incidentally disabling this makes NERO Burning ROM open quicker.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Indexing Service
Microsoft Description - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
Human Description - Works like an advanced search feature. This can search through files and index keywords for rapid searching.
Thanks, but no thanks. If I want to search I will use the "dog feature".
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Microsoft Description - Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Human Description - Related to Application Layer Gateway Service
Set this to the same as Application Layer Gateway Service
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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IPSEC Services
Microsoft Description - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver.
Human Description - Authenticates hosts before transfer of data, Encryption of IP traffic, Prevention of reply attacks
After testing I would set this to Manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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IPv6 Internet Connection Firewall
Microsoft Description - Provides intrusion prevention service for a home or small office network.
Human Description - Useful in case you have a network and connected to the net, and you dont have any other firewall
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Logical Disk Manager
Microsoft Description - Detects and monitors new hard disk drives and sends disk volume information to Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service for configuration. If this service is stopped, dynamic disk status and configuration information may become out of date. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Updates records to do with hard disk volumes.
Leaving something to download overnight only to return and find you didn't have enough space? I'm sure you will slap your head and think to yourself, "Why did I disable the Logical Disk Manager?".
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service
Microsoft Description - Configures hard disk drives and volumes. The service only runs for configuration processes and then stops.
Human Description - Related to Logical Disk Manager
As it is infrequently used, set to manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Messenger
Microsoft Description - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Allows network administrators the ability to pop a little prompt on your screen with information.
Although hilarious for the first 25 seconds in forcing your non-computer literate friends to think their machine has been hacked into this service is pretty much pointless.
Incidentally the command to pop-up a prompt on someones screen is "net send [computername] I know where you live" (or some other intimidating message). Enjoy your 25 seconds of fun...
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
Microsoft Description - Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Like the man said, it allows shadow copying.
Set to disabled unless you want your shadow copy service to control your life.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Net Logon
Microsoft Description - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain.
Human Description - Domain Authentication[/b]
If you're a home user you probably won't have a domain. Disable this service and free up that memory.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Microsoft Description - Enables an authorized user to access this computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a corporate intranet. If this service is stopped, remote desktop sharing will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description -
Why use the bloated netmeeting when VNC does it about 10 times faster and is free?
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Network Connections
Microsoft Description - Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.
Human Description - Controls your internet connection details basically.
If you want to use the internet it may be best to leave this setting to its default value of manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Network DDE
Microsoft Description - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers. If this service is stopped, DDE transport and security will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Makes use of programs that have the ability to use DDE.
More than likely you will never make use of this service. DDE functions are usually restricted to business applications.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Network DDE DSDM
Microsoft Description - Manages Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) network shares. If this service is stopped, DDE network shares will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Related to Network DDE
More than likely you will never make use of this service. DDE functions are usually restricted to business applications.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Microsoft Description - Collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes.
Human Description -
Perhaps useful (although not critical) if you are on a network as Windows will attempt to update the network lists with events such as logon/logoff. If you are not on a network then disable this service.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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NT LM Security Support Provider
Microsoft Description - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.
Human Description - Installation of some hardware requires usage of RPC.
Best leaving this setting to the default value of manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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NVIDIA Driver Helper Service
Microsoft Description -
Human Description - Provides help and support for NVIDIA graphics cards.
This is an optional service installed when NVIDIA detonator drivers are installed. Disabling this service seems to significantly reduce the time Windows XP takes to shut down.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Performance Logs and Alerts
Microsoft Description - Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule
Human Description -
Hardly useful for a home PC now is it? Unless they start assigning the equivalent of 3DMarks I doubt anyone is really interested.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Plug and Play
Microsoft Description - Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.
Human Description -
Commonly referred to as Plug'n'Pray this service is perhaps one feature of Windows XP worth having.
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Portable Media Serial Number
Microsoft Description - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer
Human Description -
Quite possibly the most pointless and utterly useless service known to human kind. Why memory is allocated to the retrieval of a needless serial number from your MP3 player is beyond me and I'm sure it's a joke.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Print Spooler
Microsoft Description - Loads files to memory for later printing.
Human Description -
With the advent of greater than 500MHz machines I doubt there will be much speed increase seen from loading files into memory for printing.
However after disabling this my printer would not work so thumbs up to MS for the vague description. Didn't say it would stop you printing now did it...?
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Protected Storage
Microsoft Description - Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.
Human Description - Stop those 1337 h4X0)2 skr1p7 |<1dd135 knocking around with your files.
Trouble is, if they are already past your firewall you've had it anyway. Leave on Manual just in case. Its also used by IE to store passwords and Autocomplete. If you dont use IE, disable it.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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QoS RSVP
Microsoft Description - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets.
Human Description - Quality Of Service - quite useful for services that use it
Used for network balancing and other nifty things to make "your internet experience as wonderful as possible". Quite good then that this service eats 25% of your bandwidth doing it and hardly anything actually makes use of it.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Microsoft Description - Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.
Human Description - Makes use of embedded links in programs such as Office, also is used in autodial functions
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Remote Access Connection Manager
Microsoft Description - Creates a network connection.
Human Description - Involved in dial-up. (Digital connections aswell)
Leave as Manual. It usually starts anyway.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Microsoft Description - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box.
Human Description - Allows incoming Remote Desktop connections.
If you don't use this feature of Windows XP (Remote Desktop) then disable this service.
Recommended for home PC - Disable
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Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Microsoft Description - Provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services.
Human Description - Needed for some installations
nice vague Microsoft description. Leave as manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
Microsoft Description - Manages the RPC name service database.
Human Description - Related to Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
nice vague Microsoft description. Leave as manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Remote Registry
Microsoft Description - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Allow people to modify local registry settings via remote desktop or similar.
Possibly one of the biggest security holes that I am suprised nobody has yet exploited. Allowing your registry to be edited remotely? Come on....
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Removable Storage
Microsoft Description -
Human Description - Zip Drives, USB pens etc...
May aswell leave to manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Routing and Remote Access
Microsoft Description - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.
Human Description - used on business networks
Pointless for home users.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Secondary Logon
Microsoft Description - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - allow multiple users on one machine.
Most people I think actually make use of this feature.
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
(Single User Setup - Manual)
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Security Accounts Manager
Microsoft Description - Stores security information for local user accounts.
Human Description - Related to Secondary Logon
Leave on automatic.
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Server
Microsoft Description - Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Supports file sharing and other basic LAN functions.
Used for sharing printers and files across Local Area Networks. If you're not on a network you don't need this.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Shell Hardware Detection
Microsoft Description - None
Human Descripton - Basically related to hardware detection and stuff..
Recomended for home PC - Automatic
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Smart Card
Microsoft Description - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to read smart cards. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Allows reading of smart card media
If you don't use smart media, disable this service.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Smart Card Helper
Microsoft Description - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not support legacy reader. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Related to Smart Card
If you don't use smart media, disable this service.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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SSDP Discovery Service
Microsoft Description - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.
Human Description - UPnP = Universal Plug'n'Play
Caters for such things as network printers etc... If you don't have a LAN then disable this service.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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System Event Notification
Microsoft Description - Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events.
Human Description - (Example) Can notify programs such as Outlook when an internet connection is established so that it can send its mail.
This service manages a lot of processes. Best to leave as default on automatic.
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
** NOTE: This can be set to Manual too. Just test a little bit.
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System Restore Service
Microsoft Description - Performs system restore functions. To stop service, turn off System Restore from the System Restore tab in My Computer->Properties
Human Description - Allows "rollback" to previous configurations in order to solve hardware/software problems.
Bit of a sticky one this. I personally disable this sevice as it uses a lot of resources. It all depends on the individual user of course.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Task Scheduler
Microsoft Description - Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. If this service is stopped, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description -
Depends again on the individual. Task Scheduler uses a fair amount of resources. In case you want your anti-virus program to update itself and to schedule automatic scans, then leave this on. Also supposedly used for prefetching.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Microsoft Description - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution.
Human Description - Helper for Internet traffic.
Unless your fascinated by the intrinsic features of TCP/IP then use this feature. Or rather, go to a site that can give you more help.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Telephony
Microsoft Description - Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP based voice connections on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.
Human Description -
Best leaving this as manual. Not too sure if this covers modems etc.. aswell but it starts when a connection is made to the internet.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Telnet
Microsoft Description - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients, including UNIX-based and Windows-based computers. If this service is stopped, remote user access to programs might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description -
Cough*Big Security Hole*Cough - this is well worth disabling to bounce those 13 year old hackers.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Terminal Services
Microsoft Description - Allows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server.
Human Description - Remote Desktop features.
If you disabled Remote Desktop earlier then do the same with this.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
(For MultiUser Setup - Manual )
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Themes
Microsoft Description - Provides user experience theme management.
Human Description - By default use either classic, Blue, Silver, or (nasty) Green themes in Windows XP
Most people use the themes so leave this automatic.
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Uninterruptible Power Supply
Microsoft Description - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.
Human Description -
Most home users (unless you live in California) do not have UPS backups.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Microsoft Description - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.
Human Description - DO NOT CONFUSE this with Plug and Play (PnP). This is sort of a link with LANs and UPNP devices. Very few devices are UPNP. UPNP also poses some security risks. I recommend that you disable this service, if you are not a lan and dont have any UPNP devices.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Upload Manager
Microsoft Description - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network. If this service is stopped, synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - By networks this also refers to the internet.
Unless you want to have problems sending and receiving traffic to and from the internet it may be best to leave this on automatic. Some people say that its used for LANs only. In case you are NOT on a LAN, I recommend that you leave this one to Manual, after testing it ofcourse.
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Volume Shadow Copy
Microsoft Description - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Related to MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
Set the same as MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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WebClient
Microsoft Description - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Fundemental to Windows function
Fundamental aspect of Windows. Can be set to Manual however, if you need those extra bits of ram
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Windows Audio
Microsoft Description - Manages audio devices for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description - Fundemental to Windows function
Fundamental aspect of Windows. Leave automatic. (Unless you don't have sound of course)
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Microsoft Description - Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras.
Human Description - In-built scanner and camera features.
If you don't have a scanner/camera then disable this service. Also if you use a 3rd party image aquisition program then disable this in any case.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Windows Management Instrumentation
Microsoft Description - Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description -
Obviously leave this to automatic.
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Microsoft Description - Provides systems management information to and from drivers.
Human Description - Provides information to Windows Management Instrumentation
Leave as manual as this is needed for Windows Management Instrumentation.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Windows Time
Microsoft Description - Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description -
Unless you are in dire need to have exactly the same time as the administrator on your network this service can be safely disabled.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Windows Zero Configuration
Microsoft Description - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters
Human Description - Wireless networking auto-configuration
Why this is defaulted to automatic is beyond me. Wireless technology is still relatively new so auto-configuration functions resident in memory is pointless.
Recommended for home PC - Disabled
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Windows Installer
Microsoft Description - Installs, repairs and removes software according to instructions contained in .MSI files.
Human Description - Does as its said, but not required all the time.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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WMI Performance Adapter
Microsoft Description - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.
Human Description - Provides information about your system to system components that require it.
Leave as manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
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Workstation
Microsoft Description - Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Human Description -
Leave as automatic. Needed by Windows to provide functionality on the internet. But generally required if you are on a network, also for Cable Net. If you arent on a network, set this to Manual
Recommended for home PC - Automatic
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Approx Speed increases and/or Necessity for Disabling:
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Help & Support ****
NVIDIA Help and Support *****
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service ***
System Restore Service *****
Event Log **
Automatic Updates ****
Remote Registry ***** (security)
Error Reporting Service ***
Messenger *
Performance Logs and Alerts *
Portable Media Serial Number *
QOS RSVP ***** (I normally disable this in network properties anyway)
Task Scheduler ***
Telnet ***** (Security)
Wireless Zero Config *
someone plz tell me how to reset the service of win xp professional. i was fiddling around with the services and i have screwed my pc making it freeze for 2 mins every time i connect to the internet. also there are many instances of the service generic host process for win 32 and also many processes under the name svchost.exe . is this normal ? plz help