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You are here > Home > Windows > Windows XP Services
Windows XP Services
I do not recommend setting services to disabled unless you are sure that it will not affect the system. Everything here is mostly common sense, and geared towards performance.
Alerter
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.
Networked or multiple accounts exist on the computer? Set to automatic.
Application Layer Gateway Service
Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Application Management
Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove.
Manual - Since we don't install programs all of the time, set it to manual to start when needed.
Automatic Updates
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.
Manual - I prefer to know what is being done on my system.
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data.
If network congestion is a problem, set to automatic.
ClipBook
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
COM+ Event System
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.
Automatic - This service is required and will start at boot up even if set to manual.
COM+ System Application
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.
Quite self explanatory. Set to automatic.
Computer Browser
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.
Networked and require an updated list of active machines? Set to automatic. Manual otherwise.
Cryptographic Services
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.
Automatic - recommended
DHCP Client
Manages network configuration by registering and updating IP addresses and DNS names.
Networked or on a dial up connection? Automatic. Manual otherwise.
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network domain.
Networked and use NTFS? Automatic. Manual otherwise.
Distributed Transaction Coordinator
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.
Network databases present? Automatic. Manual otherwise.
DNS Client
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.
Networked? Automatic. Manual otherwise.
Error Reporting Service
Allows error reporting for services and applications running in non-standard environments.
It is highly unlikely that you use non standard environments, so set to manual. Use automatic if you look forward to troubleshooting error logs.
Event Log
Enables event log messages issued by Windows-based programs and components to be viewed in Event Viewer. This service cannot be stopped.
Automatic - Highly recommended. Very useful when troubleshooting errors.
Fast User Switching Compatibility
Provides management for applications that require assistance in a multiple user environment.
Disabled - if you do not use the fast user switching feature
Automatic - if you do not mind other users crashing the computer while your data is unsaved.
Help and Support
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.
Manual - Service can be started when you need it.
Human Interface Device Access
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
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.
Manual - if you do not have a CD writer, or do not want the built XP CD creation feature. Automatic otherwise.
Indexing Service
Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
Manual - save some memory/CPU. Especially since no one really knows how to take advantage of it.
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Networked, have an internet connection directly to the machine, and wish to share and protect the internet access and data? Set to automatic.
IPSEC Services
Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver. IPSEC is a set of extensions to the IP protocol family. It provides authentication and verification of packets and encryption. It is widely used in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Logical Disk Manager
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.
Swap drive or have removable drives? Set to automatic. Manual otherwise.
Messenger
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.
Use the same setting as the "Alerter" service.
Net Logon
Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain.
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
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.
Interesting feature and possible security hole. You decide.
Network Connections
Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.
Networked or use dial up? Set to automatic. Manual otherwise.
Network DDE
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. DDE allows information to be shared or communicated between programs. See here.
Networked and use shared data? Automatic. Manual otherwise.
Network DDE DSDM
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual. See above.
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes.
Your choice really.
NT LM Security Support Provider
Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.
Performance Logs and Alerts
Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If this service is stopped, performance information will not be collected. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Trying to make the most out of your system? Set to automatic.
Plug and Play
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.
You heard it. Set to automatic.
Portable Media Serial Number
Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer.
Disable - I prefer privacy.
Print Spooler
Loads files to memory for later printing.
Printing required? Set to Automatic
Protected Storage
Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.
If you value your privacy and data, automatic. Otherwise set to manual.
QoS RSVP
Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets. See here.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.
Automatic - once network/internet connection is established
Remote Access Connection Manager
Creates a network connection.
Automatic - once network/internet connection is established
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
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.
Manual - Anyone reading this site wont need assistance
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services. See here
Automatic - starts even if set to manual.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
Manages the RPC name service database.
Manual - unless you need this.
Remote Registry
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.
Manual - Safe Mode and Recovery console should be enough to get you operational.
Removable Storage
Manual
Routing and Remote Access
Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.
Disabled - Set as the default, I see no reason to change it.
Secondary Logon
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.
Manual - You can start if required.
Security Accounts Manager
Stores security information for local user accounts.
Automatic - starts even if set to manual.
Server
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Shell Hardware Detection
Hmm...what is this? Set to manual.
Smart Card
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Smart Card Helper
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
SSDP Discovery Service
Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.
Automatic - Should be this way if you have a home network. UPnP is an interesting technology. You should learn more about it.
System Event Notification
Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events.
Automatic - highly recommended.
System Restore Service
Performs system restore functions. To stop service, turn off System Restore from the System Restore tab in My Computer->Properties
Manual - Real tweakers need no system restore.
Task Scheduler
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.
We do it manual, but automatic is nice too.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution.
Automatic - starts even if set to manual.
Telephony
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Telnet
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Terminal Services
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual. Disabled is my preference.
Themes
Provides user experience theme management.
Manual - Makes XP look like 2000, so beware. My preference.
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.
Enough said.
Upload Manager
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.
You should know if you need this in automatic or manual.
Windows Audio
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.
You have a sound card? Automatic.
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras.
May come in handy.
Windows Installer
Installs, repairs and removes software according to instructions contained in .MSI files.
Manual - can start when needed.
Windows Management Instrumentation
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.
Automatic - highly recommended
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Provides systems management information to and from drivers.
Works fine in manual. Your risk though.
Windows Time
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.
Great network feature. Set to automatic.
Wireless Zero Configuration
Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters
Sounds too good to be true. How does automatic sound to you?
WMI Performance Adapter
Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.
Hmm....
Workstation
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.
Automatic - highly recommended
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