Share your Tweaking Tips here
- Thread starter Raaabo
- Start date
technovice
Broken In
LayZ said:
yeah man!
...this is awesome!
i know a tweak that will allow you download more than 2 files simultaneouly in IE...the default is 2
1. Start > Run > type "regedit"
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software >Microsoft >Windows > CurrentVersion > Internet Settings
3. Double Click MaxConnectionsPerServer and change the value to your choice.
This is by no means my own discovery but im sorry i cant post the source bcoz i dont have it!
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
WINDOWS XP HIDDEN APPLICATIONS
WINDOWS XP HIDDEN APPLICATIONS:
Microsoft has hidden many small and big utilities deep down in XP. Most people even don’t know that there is a small SFX creating utility in XP. Let’s discover all these utilities.
To run any of these utilities go to Start > Run and type the executable name, for example: charmap
1. Character Map = charmap.exe (very useful for finding unusual characters)
2. Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe
3. Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (views contents of Windows clipboard)
4. Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (Troubleshooting tool)
5. DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (Diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)
6. Private character editor = eudcedit.exe (allows creation or modification of characters)
7. IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (Create self-extracting / self-installing package)
8. Mcft Synchronization Manager = mobsync.exe (appears to allow synchronization of files on the network for when working offline. Apparently undocumented).
9. Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (Retro version of Media Player, very basic).
10. ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32.exe (something to do with databases)
11. Object Packager = packager.exe (to do with packaging objects for insertion in files, appears to have comprehensive help files).
12. System Monitor = perfmon.exe (very useful, highly configurable tool, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about any aspect of PC performance, for uber-geeks only )
13. Program Manager = progman.exe (Legacy Windows 3.x desktop shell).
14. Remote Access phone book = rasphone.exe (documentation is virtually non-existant).
15. Registry Editor = regedt32.exe [also regedit.exe] (for hacking the Windows Registry).
16. Network shared folder wizard = shrpubw.exe (creates shared folders on network).
17. File siganture verification tool = sigverif.exe
18. Volume Control = sndvol32.exe (I've included this for those people that lose it from the System Notification area).
19. System Configuration Editor = sysedit.exe (modify System.ini & Win.ini just like in Win98! ).
20. Syskey = syskey.exe (Secures XP Account database - use with care, it's virtually undocumented but it appears to encrypt all passwords, I'm not sure of the full implications).
21. Mcft Telnet Client = telnet.exe
22. Driver Verifier Manager = verifier.exe (seems to be a utility for monitoring the actions of drivers, might be useful for people having driver problems. Undocumented).
23. Windows for Workgroups Chat = winchat.exe (appears to be an old NT utility to allow chat sessions over a LAN, help files available).
24. System configuration = msconfig.exe (can use to control starup programs)
25. Group Policy Editor = gpedit.msc used to manage group policies, and permissions.
26. Local Users and Groups = lusrmgr.msc Useful in renaming Administrator.
27. Certificate Manager = certmgr.msc used for encryption and certificate management.
28. Device Manager = devmgmt.msc
WINDOWS XP HIDDEN APPLICATIONS:
Microsoft has hidden many small and big utilities deep down in XP. Most people even don’t know that there is a small SFX creating utility in XP. Let’s discover all these utilities.
To run any of these utilities go to Start > Run and type the executable name, for example: charmap
1. Character Map = charmap.exe (very useful for finding unusual characters)
2. Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe
3. Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (views contents of Windows clipboard)
4. Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (Troubleshooting tool)
5. DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (Diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)
6. Private character editor = eudcedit.exe (allows creation or modification of characters)
7. IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (Create self-extracting / self-installing package)
8. Mcft Synchronization Manager = mobsync.exe (appears to allow synchronization of files on the network for when working offline. Apparently undocumented).
9. Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (Retro version of Media Player, very basic).
10. ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32.exe (something to do with databases)
11. Object Packager = packager.exe (to do with packaging objects for insertion in files, appears to have comprehensive help files).
12. System Monitor = perfmon.exe (very useful, highly configurable tool, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about any aspect of PC performance, for uber-geeks only )
13. Program Manager = progman.exe (Legacy Windows 3.x desktop shell).
14. Remote Access phone book = rasphone.exe (documentation is virtually non-existant).
15. Registry Editor = regedt32.exe [also regedit.exe] (for hacking the Windows Registry).
16. Network shared folder wizard = shrpubw.exe (creates shared folders on network).
17. File siganture verification tool = sigverif.exe
18. Volume Control = sndvol32.exe (I've included this for those people that lose it from the System Notification area).
19. System Configuration Editor = sysedit.exe (modify System.ini & Win.ini just like in Win98! ).
20. Syskey = syskey.exe (Secures XP Account database - use with care, it's virtually undocumented but it appears to encrypt all passwords, I'm not sure of the full implications).
21. Mcft Telnet Client = telnet.exe
22. Driver Verifier Manager = verifier.exe (seems to be a utility for monitoring the actions of drivers, might be useful for people having driver problems. Undocumented).
23. Windows for Workgroups Chat = winchat.exe (appears to be an old NT utility to allow chat sessions over a LAN, help files available).
24. System configuration = msconfig.exe (can use to control starup programs)
25. Group Policy Editor = gpedit.msc used to manage group policies, and permissions.
26. Local Users and Groups = lusrmgr.msc Useful in renaming Administrator.
27. Certificate Manager = certmgr.msc used for encryption and certificate management.
28. Device Manager = devmgmt.msc
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Save Windows Updates on CD
Many times you really get bugged up if you had to reformat your HDD and lose all your updates installed and you have to redownload them and reinstall for which you waste your time and money.
Now I will show you how to save all Windows updates to your HDD.
There are several methods and we will discuss all of them.
1st Method: Easiest and only for Windows XP with SP2.
Firstly you have to configure your Automatic Updates Settings through MyComputer(right click)>>properties>>Automatic Updates.
*img100.exs.cx/img100/2953/autupdates2do.th.jpg
Choose the option shown in the above shot and click ok. Your SP2 Security Center may warn you but ignore or disable it. Now connect to the net and wait for some time. You will get a notification in the system tray that Updates are available for download. Now double click on the System Tray Icon and it opens up a window and now you can see all the updates listed with their KB Article Numbers. Here is a screenshot.
*img49.echo.cx/img49/7135/autupdates2ta.th.jpg
Now copy all the numbers to your notepad and now use the link
*support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX or click the link given in the box above.
Here XXXXXX is the 6 digit number you copied earlier. From the support page you will find a link to the patch and now you can download it convieniently.
2nd Method: Work for any Windows - Best Method
You can download all the updates that are available from Automatic Updates by using the Windows Update Catalog. For additional information about how to download updates from the Windows Update Catalog, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
HOW TO: Download Windows Updates and Drivers from the Windows Update Catalog
1. Visit the Windows Update Web site:
*windowsupdate.microsoft.com
2. Click Personalize Windows Update.
3. Select the Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog under
See Also check box.
4. Click Save Settings.
5. A Windows Update Catalog link appears under See Also.
6. Click the Windows Update Catalog link.
7. Click Find updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems.
8. Click the appropriate product, and then click Search.
9. Click Critical Updates and Service Packs.
10. Locate the patch you want, and then click Add.
11. Click Go to download basket. In the Type or browse to the download location of your choice box, type the full path for the folder in which you want to save the patch. Or, click Browse to browse to the folder. Click Download Now.
If you don't find the link to Windows Update Catalog (as in SP2) then go to Administrator Options and there is a heading named "Update multiple operating systems"? and under it link to Windows update Catalog is given.
A manual link (no guarantee on link working on diff Windows) to Windows Update Catalog is given below:
*v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
I used this On WinXP SP2 and it worked and plus you can download updates for any Windows i.e. you can 98 updates while running XP. This works best for Networked PC's.
Source: MS-KB 283147 - Automatic Updates Downloads Cannot Be Installed on Other Computers
3rd Method: Works in any Windows but not always
Another method to save the patch locally is to install the update 'as usual' from the Windows Updates page. Once the copy process is complete and the Install process is about to begin, look for the WUTemp folder in C:\ (or whatever drive you've installed Windows). This is the destination folder used by Windows Updates to save the hotfix. The hotfix will be deleted automatically once installed. Therefore, copy the WUTEMP directory contents to a new folder, while the install process has just started.
For Windows XP SP2, the installer is stored in a sub-folders under %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download
Another Note: Sometimes you find a long named file with random characters and without an extension in %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download. Try renaming the file by just adding .exe to the end of the filename. Do not modify anything else. Now right click and check its properties. It may turn out to be an update and its KB number is listed in its properties. You can now copy the update to any folder. Don’t move the update, just copy it to any location. This will work any time and even if you are not connected to the net.
Tip: After downloading the updates, save them to a CD if you’re planning to apply across multiple systems or a stand-alone system without internet connection. Before applying the downloaded updates, you can run through Windows Updates scan (don’t download yet) to know the list of Cricital Updates (Q######) pertaining to that particular computer. Note all of them to a piece of paper and install them one by one from the CD. This one works even better when combined with 2nd Method.
Many times you really get bugged up if you had to reformat your HDD and lose all your updates installed and you have to redownload them and reinstall for which you waste your time and money.
Now I will show you how to save all Windows updates to your HDD.
There are several methods and we will discuss all of them.
1st Method: Easiest and only for Windows XP with SP2.
Firstly you have to configure your Automatic Updates Settings through MyComputer(right click)>>properties>>Automatic Updates.
*img100.exs.cx/img100/2953/autupdates2do.th.jpg
Choose the option shown in the above shot and click ok. Your SP2 Security Center may warn you but ignore or disable it. Now connect to the net and wait for some time. You will get a notification in the system tray that Updates are available for download. Now double click on the System Tray Icon and it opens up a window and now you can see all the updates listed with their KB Article Numbers. Here is a screenshot.
*img49.echo.cx/img49/7135/autupdates2ta.th.jpg
Now copy all the numbers to your notepad and now use the link
*support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX or click the link given in the box above.
Here XXXXXX is the 6 digit number you copied earlier. From the support page you will find a link to the patch and now you can download it convieniently.
2nd Method: Work for any Windows - Best Method
You can download all the updates that are available from Automatic Updates by using the Windows Update Catalog. For additional information about how to download updates from the Windows Update Catalog, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
HOW TO: Download Windows Updates and Drivers from the Windows Update Catalog
1. Visit the Windows Update Web site:
*windowsupdate.microsoft.com
2. Click Personalize Windows Update.
3. Select the Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog under
See Also check box.
4. Click Save Settings.
5. A Windows Update Catalog link appears under See Also.
6. Click the Windows Update Catalog link.
7. Click Find updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems.
8. Click the appropriate product, and then click Search.
9. Click Critical Updates and Service Packs.
10. Locate the patch you want, and then click Add.
11. Click Go to download basket. In the Type or browse to the download location of your choice box, type the full path for the folder in which you want to save the patch. Or, click Browse to browse to the folder. Click Download Now.
If you don't find the link to Windows Update Catalog (as in SP2) then go to Administrator Options and there is a heading named "Update multiple operating systems"? and under it link to Windows update Catalog is given.
A manual link (no guarantee on link working on diff Windows) to Windows Update Catalog is given below:
*v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
I used this On WinXP SP2 and it worked and plus you can download updates for any Windows i.e. you can 98 updates while running XP. This works best for Networked PC's.
Source: MS-KB 283147 - Automatic Updates Downloads Cannot Be Installed on Other Computers
3rd Method: Works in any Windows but not always
Another method to save the patch locally is to install the update 'as usual' from the Windows Updates page. Once the copy process is complete and the Install process is about to begin, look for the WUTemp folder in C:\ (or whatever drive you've installed Windows). This is the destination folder used by Windows Updates to save the hotfix. The hotfix will be deleted automatically once installed. Therefore, copy the WUTEMP directory contents to a new folder, while the install process has just started.
For Windows XP SP2, the installer is stored in a sub-folders under %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download
Another Note: Sometimes you find a long named file with random characters and without an extension in %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download. Try renaming the file by just adding .exe to the end of the filename. Do not modify anything else. Now right click and check its properties. It may turn out to be an update and its KB number is listed in its properties. You can now copy the update to any folder. Don’t move the update, just copy it to any location. This will work any time and even if you are not connected to the net.
Tip: After downloading the updates, save them to a CD if you’re planning to apply across multiple systems or a stand-alone system without internet connection. Before applying the downloaded updates, you can run through Windows Updates scan (don’t download yet) to know the list of Cricital Updates (Q######) pertaining to that particular computer. Note all of them to a piece of paper and install them one by one from the CD. This one works even better when combined with 2nd Method.
Last edited:
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Go to Start Menu > Run and type “control userpasswords2�. Now you can control more logon options and even enable option to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE every time in advanced tab for more security. Uncheck the option of Users must enter and you can Auto logon with different username. For Win2000 type “control userpasswords� and rest remains the same.
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Many programs require you to have Administrative permissions to be able to install them. Here is an easy way to temporarily assign yourself Administrative permissions while you remain logged in as a normal user.
Hold down the Shift key as you right-click on the program's setup file.Click Run as.Type in a user name and password that have Administrative rights.This works also with the Start menu applications.
Hold down the Shift key as you right-click on the program's setup file.Click Run as.Type in a user name and password that have Administrative rights.This works also with the Start menu applications.
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Proper Order of Installing Items in XP
This is what I consider the proper order to install XP, its updates/drivers/patches and applications.
1. XP
2. SP2 (If you didn't make a slipstreamed CD)
3. Chipset drivers
4. Video Card Drivers. (run disk cleanup)
5. NIC/Modem Drivers and ISP software
6. Windows Update, High Priority Updates (SP2 if you didn't download ahead of time)
7. Windows Update, Optional hardware updates
8. Windows Update, Optional software updates (don't load unnecessary items)
9. Other Drivers (try to automatically update first) (run disk cleanup)
10. Backup
11. Major applications. Fully update each application before installing the next.
12. The rest of your apps. (run disk cleanup)
13. Anti-Virus software and update it.
14. Configure email, move My Documents to another drive
15. Cleanup System Tray, organize Start Menu, activate XP
18. Safe Mode, disk cleanup (advanced) and defragment.
19. Backup
20. Tweak it!
21. Backup
This is what I consider the proper order to install XP, its updates/drivers/patches and applications.
1. XP
2. SP2 (If you didn't make a slipstreamed CD)
3. Chipset drivers
4. Video Card Drivers. (run disk cleanup)
5. NIC/Modem Drivers and ISP software
6. Windows Update, High Priority Updates (SP2 if you didn't download ahead of time)
7. Windows Update, Optional hardware updates
8. Windows Update, Optional software updates (don't load unnecessary items)
9. Other Drivers (try to automatically update first) (run disk cleanup)
10. Backup
11. Major applications. Fully update each application before installing the next.
12. The rest of your apps. (run disk cleanup)
13. Anti-Virus software and update it.
14. Configure email, move My Documents to another drive
15. Cleanup System Tray, organize Start Menu, activate XP
18. Safe Mode, disk cleanup (advanced) and defragment.
19. Backup
20. Tweak it!
21. Backup
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
How can I uninstall Windows XP and return to my old Windows 98?
If you've upgraded to XP from Windows Me or Windows 98, go to the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel applet and click Uninstall Windows XP.
If you want, you can also uninstall XP from the command prompt by performing the following steps:
1. Start the computer in Safe Mode with Command Prompt support
(press F8 during start up).
2. Navigate to %systemroot%\system32.
3. Type osuninst.exe and press Enter.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.
If XP was installed as a dual-boot system along with Win98 or W2K then you can simply format the partition on which it is installed. That is one of the reasons I always recommend to install separate operating systems on separate partitions!
Note: Windows XP Professional provides an uninstall tool when upgrading from Windows 98 on a drive formatted as FAT or FAT32. Therefore, when upgrading this type of drive, you will not have the option to upgrade to NTFS, as this would negate the uninstall option. However, you can convert the drive to NTFS after installation if you choose.
If you've upgraded to XP from Windows Me or Windows 98, go to the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel applet and click Uninstall Windows XP.
If you want, you can also uninstall XP from the command prompt by performing the following steps:
1. Start the computer in Safe Mode with Command Prompt support
(press F8 during start up).
2. Navigate to %systemroot%\system32.
3. Type osuninst.exe and press Enter.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.
If XP was installed as a dual-boot system along with Win98 or W2K then you can simply format the partition on which it is installed. That is one of the reasons I always recommend to install separate operating systems on separate partitions!
Note: Windows XP Professional provides an uninstall tool when upgrading from Windows 98 on a drive formatted as FAT or FAT32. Therefore, when upgrading this type of drive, you will not have the option to upgrade to NTFS, as this would negate the uninstall option. However, you can convert the drive to NTFS after installation if you choose.
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Auto-insert your Win9x CD-KEY
Pesky serial numbers, you can never find them when you need them. Well, why not have it on your install CD, and have it pre-filled in whenever you run setup? This should work for all versions of Windows 9x (Win95, Win98, and WinMe).
Create a text file named MSBATCH.INF. Use quotes around the name when you save it, else notepad may name it MSBATCH.INF.TXT (so when you Save As, type in "MSBATCH.INF" WITH the quotes). Copy this in the file:
; MSBATCH.INF
;
; Copyright (c) 1995-2000 Microsoft Corporation.
; All rights reserved.
;
[BatchSetup]
Version=3.0 (32-bit)
SaveDate=01/29/00
[Version]
Signature = "$CHICAGO$"
[Setup]
ProductKey="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"
Of course, use your own serial number. Now place this file in the setup folder of your Windows CD (named Win98 for Windows 98 and Win9x for WinMe, same directory you can find the setup.exe, format.exe, scandisk.exe, extract.exe, etc. files. You can try it out by starting setup from within Windows and see if the serial number is pre-filled in for you (you can cancel out at that point to keep setup from installing Windows).
Pesky serial numbers, you can never find them when you need them. Well, why not have it on your install CD, and have it pre-filled in whenever you run setup? This should work for all versions of Windows 9x (Win95, Win98, and WinMe).
Create a text file named MSBATCH.INF. Use quotes around the name when you save it, else notepad may name it MSBATCH.INF.TXT (so when you Save As, type in "MSBATCH.INF" WITH the quotes). Copy this in the file:
; MSBATCH.INF
;
; Copyright (c) 1995-2000 Microsoft Corporation.
; All rights reserved.
;
[BatchSetup]
Version=3.0 (32-bit)
SaveDate=01/29/00
[Version]
Signature = "$CHICAGO$"
[Setup]
ProductKey="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"
Of course, use your own serial number. Now place this file in the setup folder of your Windows CD (named Win98 for Windows 98 and Win9x for WinMe, same directory you can find the setup.exe, format.exe, scandisk.exe, extract.exe, etc. files. You can try it out by starting setup from within Windows and see if the serial number is pre-filled in for you (you can cancel out at that point to keep setup from installing Windows).
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Satissh S said:
You need the codecs from InterVideo WinDVD or SOnic or any other 3rd party software company to enable DVD playback with Windows Media Player.
Go to
*www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/windowsxp/buypacks.aspx
*www.intervideo.com/media_pack/jsp/Product_Profile.jsp?p=DVDMP3XPack&AID=10310167&PID=1423151
*www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/getmore/plugins.aspx#DVDDecoder
All these decoders come paid. None is free.
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Speed up FireFox
1. Type "about:config" in the adress field.
2. Set the value of network.http.pipelining to "true".
3. Set the value of network.http.pipelining.maxrequests to "100".
4. Set the value of network.http.proxy.pipelining to "true"
5. Set the value of nglayout.initialpaint.delay to "0"
Now watch as the loading times that already beat IE's go into overkill mode.
1. Type "about:config" in the adress field.
2. Set the value of network.http.pipelining to "true".
3. Set the value of network.http.pipelining.maxrequests to "100".
4. Set the value of network.http.proxy.pipelining to "true"
5. Set the value of nglayout.initialpaint.delay to "0"
Now watch as the loading times that already beat IE's go into overkill mode.
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Unlimited yousendit download trick
Noticed that most people use yousendit to post files and links are always bombarded with leechers and whatever...
copy and paste this:
*anonym.to/? in front of the yousendit link it self..
so basicallly it will look like this when you are done
*anonym.to/?*s8.yousendit.com/...328683E2C345DB9
(Link is fake)
the point of this is just to extend the life of a link way beyond the normal 10 downloads or whatever it gives you. using this trick should make links last 7 days with unlimited or a very high amount of downloads... ive had a link do 100 downloads so far without dying.
so use it... the links will stay up longer and u wont have to re-up them as often
Noticed that most people use yousendit to post files and links are always bombarded with leechers and whatever...
copy and paste this:
*anonym.to/? in front of the yousendit link it self..
so basicallly it will look like this when you are done
*anonym.to/?*s8.yousendit.com/...328683E2C345DB9
(Link is fake)
the point of this is just to extend the life of a link way beyond the normal 10 downloads or whatever it gives you. using this trick should make links last 7 days with unlimited or a very high amount of downloads... ive had a link do 100 downloads so far without dying.
so use it... the links will stay up longer and u wont have to re-up them as often
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
--------------------------------------
The BIG Windows XP Services Guide v1.4
--------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------
Descriptions and Recommendations:
--------------------------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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
--------------------
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)
--------------------
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)
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
Removable Storage
Microsoft Description -
Human Description - Zip Drives, USB pens etc...
May aswell leave to manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
--------------------
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
--------------------
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)
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
Shell Hardware Detection
Microsoft Description - None
Human Descripton - Basically related to hardware detection and stuff..
Recomended for home PC - Automatic
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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 )
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
---------------------
------------------------------------------------------
Approx Speed increases and/or Necessity for Disabling:
-----------------------------------------------------
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 *
The BIG Windows XP Services Guide v1.4
--------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------
Descriptions and Recommendations:
--------------------------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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
--------------------
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)
--------------------
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)
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
Removable Storage
Microsoft Description -
Human Description - Zip Drives, USB pens etc...
May aswell leave to manual.
Recommended for home PC - Manual
--------------------
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
--------------------
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)
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
Shell Hardware Detection
Microsoft Description - None
Human Descripton - Basically related to hardware detection and stuff..
Recomended for home PC - Automatic
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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 )
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
--------------------
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
---------------------
------------------------------------------------------
Approx Speed increases and/or Necessity for Disabling:
-----------------------------------------------------
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 *
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
Windows XP Shortcuts to do long jobs
Press Win+L to switch to the Welcome screen.
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Press Win+L to lock your workstation.
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You can switch users without going through the Welcome screen: From Task Manager, go to the Users tab, right-click a user, and select Connect.
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Hold down the shift key in the shutdown dialog to change "Stand By" to "Hibernate". Or just press H to hibernate instantly. You can even use the Power Control Panel to configure your power button to hibernate.
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To disable the password when resuming from standby or hibernation, open the Power Control Panel and uncheck "Prompt for password after returning from standby" on the Advanced tab.
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You can rename multiple files all at once: Select a group of files, right-click the first file, and select "Rename". Type in a name for the first file, and the rest will follow.
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Hold down the shift key when switching to thumbnail view to hide the file names. Do it again to bring them back.
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When dragging a file in Explorer, you can control the operation that will be performed when you release the mouse button:
Hold the Control key to force a Copy.
Hold the Shift key to force a Move.
Hold the Alt key to force a Create Shortcut.
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If you create a file called Folder.jpg, that image will be used as the thumbnail for the folder. What's more, that image will also be used as the album art in Windows Media Player for all media files in that folder.
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From the View Menu, select "Choose Details" to select which file properties should be shown in the Explorer window. To sort by a file property, check its name in the "Choose Details" in order to make that property available in the "Arrange Icons by" menu.
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To display the volume control icon in the taskbar, go to the Sounds and Audio Devices Control Panel and select "Place volume icon in the taskbar".
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Hold down the shift key when deleting a file to delete it immediately instead of placing it in the Recycle Bin. Files deleted in this way cannot be restored.
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If you hold down the shift key while clicking "No" in a Confirm File Operation dialog, the response will be interpreted as "No to All".
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To save a document with an extension other than the one a program wants to use, enclose the entire name in quotation marks. For example, if you run Notepad and save a file under the name
Dr.Z
it will actually be saved under the name Dr.Z.txt. But if you type
"Dr.Z"
then the document will be saved under the name Dr.Z. Note that a document so-named cannot be opened via double-clicking since the extension is no longer ".txt".
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Put a shortcut to your favorite editor in your Send To folder and it will appear in your "Send To" menu. You can then right-click any file and send it to your editor.
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Ctrl+Shift+Escape will launch Task Manager.
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To arrange two windows side-by-side, switch to the first window, then hold the Control key while right-clicking the taskbar button of the second window. Select "Tile Vertically".
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To close several windows at once, hold down the Control key while clicking on the taskbar buttons of each window. Once you have selected all the windows you want to close, right-click the last button you selected and pick "Close Group".
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You can turn a folder into a desktop toolbar by dragging the icon of the desired folder to the edge of the screen. You can then turn it into a floating toolbar by dragging it from the edge of the screen into the middle of the screen. (It helps if you minimize all application windows first.)
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You can turn a folder into a taskbar toolbar.
First, unlock your taskbar.
Next, drag the icon of the desired folder to the space between the taskbar buttons and the clock. (Wait for the no-entry cursor to change to an arrow. It's a very tiny space; you will have to hunt for it.)
You can rearrange and resize the taskbar toolbar you just created.
You can even turn the taskbar toolbar into a menu by resizing it until only its name is visible.
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In the Address Bar, type "microsoft" and hit Ctrl+Enter. Internet Explorer automatically inserts the "*www." and ".com" for you.
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To remove an AutoComplete entry from a Web form, highlight the item in the AutoComplete dropdown and press the Delete key.
To remove all Web form AutoComplete entries, go to the Internet Explorer Tools menu, select Internet Options, Content, AutoComplete, then press the "Clear Forms" button.
-----
To organize your Favorites in Explorer instead of using the Organize Favorites dialog, hold the shift key while selecting "Organize Favorites" from the Favorites menu of an Explorer window.
-----
You can organize your Favorites by dragging the items around your Favorites menu.
Alternatively, you can open the Favorites pane and hold the Alt key while pressing the up and down arrows to change the order of your Favorites.
-----
To run Internet Explorer fullscreen, press F11. Do it again to return to normal mode.
-----
If your "Printers and Faxes" folder is empty, you can hide the "Printers and Faxes" icon when viewed from other computers by stopping the Print Spooler service.
-----
To add or remove columns from Details mode, select Choose Details from the View menu, or just right-click the column header bar.
-----
In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while turning the mouse wheel to go forwards or backwards.
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In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while clicking on a link to open the Web page in a new window.
-----
In Internet Explorer, type Ctrl+D to add the current page to your Favorites.
This and many more keyboard shortcuts can be found by going to Internet Explorer, clicking the Help menu, then selecting Contents and Index. From the table of contents, open Accessibility and click "Using Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts".
-----
In some applications (such as Internet Explorer), holding the Control key while turning the mouse wheel will change the font size.
-----
To shut down via Remote Desktop, click the Start button, then type Alt+F4.
-----
Trivia
In 1984 Bill Gates said " I think 640KB memory will be enough for anyone in the future."
in 1991 Bill Gates said" I don't think anybody would need Internet . Internet is not for everyone."
Above statements are true to my knowledge.But What next? We don't need Firefox anymore or there is no OS secure than Windows Longhorn(guessed the name of nxt Windows)
Press Win+L to switch to the Welcome screen.
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Press Win+L to lock your workstation.
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You can switch users without going through the Welcome screen: From Task Manager, go to the Users tab, right-click a user, and select Connect.
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Hold down the shift key in the shutdown dialog to change "Stand By" to "Hibernate". Or just press H to hibernate instantly. You can even use the Power Control Panel to configure your power button to hibernate.
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To disable the password when resuming from standby or hibernation, open the Power Control Panel and uncheck "Prompt for password after returning from standby" on the Advanced tab.
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You can rename multiple files all at once: Select a group of files, right-click the first file, and select "Rename". Type in a name for the first file, and the rest will follow.
-----
Hold down the shift key when switching to thumbnail view to hide the file names. Do it again to bring them back.
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When dragging a file in Explorer, you can control the operation that will be performed when you release the mouse button:
Hold the Control key to force a Copy.
Hold the Shift key to force a Move.
Hold the Alt key to force a Create Shortcut.
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If you create a file called Folder.jpg, that image will be used as the thumbnail for the folder. What's more, that image will also be used as the album art in Windows Media Player for all media files in that folder.
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From the View Menu, select "Choose Details" to select which file properties should be shown in the Explorer window. To sort by a file property, check its name in the "Choose Details" in order to make that property available in the "Arrange Icons by" menu.
-----
To display the volume control icon in the taskbar, go to the Sounds and Audio Devices Control Panel and select "Place volume icon in the taskbar".
-----
Hold down the shift key when deleting a file to delete it immediately instead of placing it in the Recycle Bin. Files deleted in this way cannot be restored.
-----
If you hold down the shift key while clicking "No" in a Confirm File Operation dialog, the response will be interpreted as "No to All".
-----
To save a document with an extension other than the one a program wants to use, enclose the entire name in quotation marks. For example, if you run Notepad and save a file under the name
Dr.Z
it will actually be saved under the name Dr.Z.txt. But if you type
"Dr.Z"
then the document will be saved under the name Dr.Z. Note that a document so-named cannot be opened via double-clicking since the extension is no longer ".txt".
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Put a shortcut to your favorite editor in your Send To folder and it will appear in your "Send To" menu. You can then right-click any file and send it to your editor.
-----
Ctrl+Shift+Escape will launch Task Manager.
-----
To arrange two windows side-by-side, switch to the first window, then hold the Control key while right-clicking the taskbar button of the second window. Select "Tile Vertically".
-----
To close several windows at once, hold down the Control key while clicking on the taskbar buttons of each window. Once you have selected all the windows you want to close, right-click the last button you selected and pick "Close Group".
-----
You can turn a folder into a desktop toolbar by dragging the icon of the desired folder to the edge of the screen. You can then turn it into a floating toolbar by dragging it from the edge of the screen into the middle of the screen. (It helps if you minimize all application windows first.)
-----
You can turn a folder into a taskbar toolbar.
First, unlock your taskbar.
Next, drag the icon of the desired folder to the space between the taskbar buttons and the clock. (Wait for the no-entry cursor to change to an arrow. It's a very tiny space; you will have to hunt for it.)
You can rearrange and resize the taskbar toolbar you just created.
You can even turn the taskbar toolbar into a menu by resizing it until only its name is visible.
-----
In the Address Bar, type "microsoft" and hit Ctrl+Enter. Internet Explorer automatically inserts the "*www." and ".com" for you.
-----
To remove an AutoComplete entry from a Web form, highlight the item in the AutoComplete dropdown and press the Delete key.
To remove all Web form AutoComplete entries, go to the Internet Explorer Tools menu, select Internet Options, Content, AutoComplete, then press the "Clear Forms" button.
-----
To organize your Favorites in Explorer instead of using the Organize Favorites dialog, hold the shift key while selecting "Organize Favorites" from the Favorites menu of an Explorer window.
-----
You can organize your Favorites by dragging the items around your Favorites menu.
Alternatively, you can open the Favorites pane and hold the Alt key while pressing the up and down arrows to change the order of your Favorites.
-----
To run Internet Explorer fullscreen, press F11. Do it again to return to normal mode.
-----
If your "Printers and Faxes" folder is empty, you can hide the "Printers and Faxes" icon when viewed from other computers by stopping the Print Spooler service.
-----
To add or remove columns from Details mode, select Choose Details from the View menu, or just right-click the column header bar.
-----
In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while turning the mouse wheel to go forwards or backwards.
-----
In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while clicking on a link to open the Web page in a new window.
-----
In Internet Explorer, type Ctrl+D to add the current page to your Favorites.
This and many more keyboard shortcuts can be found by going to Internet Explorer, clicking the Help menu, then selecting Contents and Index. From the table of contents, open Accessibility and click "Using Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts".
-----
In some applications (such as Internet Explorer), holding the Control key while turning the mouse wheel will change the font size.
-----
To shut down via Remote Desktop, click the Start button, then type Alt+F4.
-----
Trivia
In 1984 Bill Gates said " I think 640KB memory will be enough for anyone in the future."
in 1991 Bill Gates said" I don't think anybody would need Internet . Internet is not for everyone."
Above statements are true to my knowledge.But What next? We don't need Firefox anymore or there is no OS secure than Windows Longhorn(guessed the name of nxt Windows)
navjotjsingh
Wise Old Owl
More Tips by me soon. Watch Out.................................................................................................
huff..........
6 is my lucky no.
Next lucky no. 9
Tired after too much tip posts.
huff..........
6 is my lucky no.
Next lucky no. 9
Tired after too much tip posts.
chinmay
Journeyman
hey blade runner...i m in a big prblem n u hv got to help it out...
u mentioned tcp optimizer in 1st page of da thread n i used it
...due to it my speed has degraded drastically ...plz temme what r the default settings of tcp optimizer....if u dont reply immediately i'll have to format my pc.....help me out dude
u mentioned tcp optimizer in 1st page of da thread n i used it
...due to it my speed has degraded drastically ...plz temme what r the default settings of tcp optimizer....if u dont reply immediately i'll have to format my pc.....help me out dude