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Turn off the Windows services: The Windows system startup consists of various stages, such as the initialization phase of the drivers or the loading of required system files. In the later stage so-called services are started, which are responsible for various areas such as automatic updates or the network. Some of these services (services in technical jargon) are necessary for the operation of the computer - others, on the other hand, lead a wallflower existence and are hardly used on most home PCs.
Which Windows Services should I trust - and which ones should I disable? This Windows tweaks article will help you decide: Which one do I need? Which should I leave alone? Disabling them reduces background activity, saves system resources and frees up memory that can be used for other programs. Before deactivating the XP Services create a backup of the system, as this process is very experimental and therefore somewhat dangerous. Bear in mind that every system can react differently - various factors such as the software or hardware or technologies used depend in part on the success of the following instructions. However, we prevent situations in which the changes can no longer be reversed - so trust the following table with confidence.
Tracking down services: start finding and deactivating
The Windows XP makers have changed the configuration of Services a little hidden. Call up the entire list by proceeding as follows:
1. Click in succession on Start > System control and double-click on the icon Administration.
2. You will be taken to a new window - here you decide on Services.
3. A double-click is enough to open a huge list. To deactivate a service of your choice according to the list below or to set it to manual autostart, just a few simple steps are required. Double-click on the desired entry and select the desired setting under Start type.
Windows services - important notes on deactivation
So that you can reset your services to the original values in the event of errors, I have listed the settings directly after a fresh installation in the fifth column Default. We also recommend deactivating only 1-3 services at a time so that you can isolate possible errors. After a restart, test whether your system and applications are still working properly. You can create a backup of all services using the tips at the end of the article!
In the following table, you will first find the name of the service under Service - as it also appears in the Control Panel. The recommended setting reflects the safest setting, which is nevertheless tailored to system tuning: you can do little wrong with this setting if you follow our warnings and instructions on how to proceed with the services. Many services that you probably do not need and start automatically have been set to Manual. If you do need them, Windows will start them later. The Tuner setting shows which services you can deactivate and which are required for Windows to start. Read especially here the descriptions, as many important application areas (Internet, network, printer, etc.) will no longer work after blindly applying the Windows services. Only use this list on single-user PCs that are used solely as gaming computers, for example, or if you know what you are doing with individual services. The default settings correspond to Microsoft's standard after a fresh installation and are your backup in case something goes wrong.
XP Services - what Windows Tweaks recommends
Service
Recommended setting
Tuner setting
Description
Default settings
Storage folder
Manual
Deactivated
Enables remote access to the storage folder.
Manual
Registration service
Manual
Deactivated
The logon service is only required in a network domain.
Manual
Application management
Manual
Deactivated
Support for installation services: If you have problems with the (de)installation of applications, we recommend activating the service.
Automatic
Workstation service
Automatic
Deactivated
A connection to remote servers is no longer established: Problematic with network and Internet connections; if you need these, we do not recommend deactivating the service.
Automatic
ASP.NET State Service
Manual
Deactivated
Only required in ASP.NET development environments.
Manual
Automatic updates
Automatic
Deactivated
Windows updates can no longer be installed without this service.
Automatic
COM+ event system
Manual
Manual
Distribution of system event notifications. This service should not be deactivated, as otherwise the system functionality may be impaired.
Automatic
COM+ system application
Manual
Deactivated
COM components are no longer executable. If problems occur with Windows, we recommend leaving this service set to "Manual".
Manual
Computer browser
Automatic
Deactivated
Enables access to network computers (shares, printers, etc.)
Automatic
DCOM server process start
Manual
Deactivated
Enables DCOM services to be started (see above).
Manual
Designs
Manual
Deactivated
When deactivated, Windows XP only uses the classic Windows 2000 design.
Automatic
DHCP Client
Manual
Deactivated
IP addresses and names are no longer sent to Calculator assigned in the network: DSL connections, network connections (with dynamic IP) and Internet connection sharing no longer work after deactivation.
Automatic
Service for serial numbers of portable media
Manual
Deactivated
Transferring protected media files (e.g. purchased WMAs) to devices may no longer work after deactivation.
Automatic
DNS client
Manual
Deactivated
Stores DNS names in a cache. If it is deactivated, XP simply retrieves these names again (from the network or Internet), which is why the service is not necessarily needed.
Automatic
Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Manual
Deactivated
This service is linked to "Distributed link monitoring" (see below)
Manual
Print queue
Automatic
Deactivated
Loads data into the memory for later printing. If you have problems printing, you should go back to "Manual" or even "Automatic".
Automatic
Event log
Automatic
Automatic
Monitors events from user logon to logoff and helps solve problems. Cannot be stopped.
Automatic
Error reporting
Manual
Deactivated
Sends a report to Microsoft after crashes or errors. Can be deactivated with a clear conscience.
Automatic
Gateway service at application level
Manual
Deactivated
The firewall and Internet connection sharing interface can be used and extended by third-party manufacturers. If, for example, firewalls no longer work, we recommend activating them.
Manual
Protected memory
Manual
Deactivated
Saves passwords or encrypted data temporarily so that they do not have to be typed in each time they are prompted.
Automatic
HID Input Service
Manual
Deactivated
Support for hotkeys on keyboards/mice or remote controls.
Automatic
Help & Support
Manual
Deactivated
Connects you to the "Help & Support" page in the Start menu. Can be deactivated.
Automatic
HTTP-SSL
Manual
Deactivated
Support for secure SSL (Secure Socket Layer) sites such as home banking or secure shopping sites.
Manual
IMAPI CD burning COM services
Manual
Deactivated
Provides support for writing data to CD. If burning programs refuse to work, we recommend activating the service or setting it to "Automatic".
Manual
Index service
Manual
Deactivated
Indexes data for faster searches and saves these indexes in the RAM. As the index service sometimes consumes large amounts of RAM, we recommend deactivating it on weaker systems (less than 512 MB RAM).
Manual
Intelligent background transmission service
Manual
Deactivated
Is used for certain web applications (the most prominent example is Windows Update).
Manual
IPSEC services
Manual
Deactivated
Secure transmission of IP packets. If you experience problems with data transmission, we recommend activating it.
Manual
Compatibility for fast user switching
Manual
Deactivated
Provides support for fast user switching (under "Start/Logout"). This can be deactivated on single user systems.
Manual
Configuration-free wireless connection
Manual
Deactivated
Support for wireless networks (WLAN).
Automatic
Cryptography service
Manual
Deactivated
Drivers or programs with a digital signature (e.g. Service Pack 2, DirectX etc.) can no longer be installed. If you receive error messages despite manual settings, the only solution is to set to "Automatic".
Automatic
Performance data logs and warnings
Manual
Deactivated
Creates a log for various performance data. Can be deactivated.
Manual
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
Manual
Deactivated
Only required if you are actively using Microsoft's backup program in Windows XP Professional.
Manual
Intelligence service
Deactivated
Deactivated
Allows you to send and receive messages via a network. As advertising messages are often sent via the Internet, we recommend deactivating this option.
Deactivated
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Manual
Deactivated
Only required in conjunction with NetMeeting and remote desktop use.
Manual
Network DDE service
Manual
Deactivated
Transfers data from the storage folder to the network computer (see "Storage folder"). Can be deactivated.
Manuel
Network DDE server service
Manual
Deactivated
Manual
Network connections
Automatic
Deactivated
Without this service, you can no longer access the Internet or network.
Automatic
Network supply service
Manual
Deactivated
Controls the login to a domain network. Administrators of conventional networks can safely deactivate this service.
Manual
NLA (Network Location Awareness)
Manual
Deactivated
Mandatory for Internet connection sharing.
Manual
NT-LM security service
Manual
Deactivated
Support for various network services such as Telnet.
Manual
Office Setup Source
Manual
Deactivated
Helps Office to repair components. Can be deactivated.
Manual
Plug & Play
Automatic
Deactivated
Driver detection when connecting a device to the running system. Should be activated for the sake of simplicity when installing devices.
Automatic
QoS-RSVP
Manual
Deactivated
Allows applications to reserve a certain amount of Internet or network bandwidth for themselves. As these applications hardly exist, you can deactivate it with peace of mind.
Manual
RAS connection management
Automatic
Deactivated
Required for correct network functionality.
Automatic
Remote procedure call (RPC)
Automatic
Automatic
Deactivation often leads to problems when starting the system, as many services are dependent on it.
Automatic
Remoteregistry
Manual
Deactivated
Allows remote users to edit their registry. If you do not use this feature, you can deactivate this service.
Manuel
Routing and RAS
Deactivated
Deactivated
Bidder routing services. If you do not use this, you can deactivate the service.
Deactivated
RPC Locator
Manual
Manual
Sub-service of RPC (see above).
Manual
Secondary registration
Manual
Deactivated
Allows programs to be executed under a different user account (e.g. with higher privileges).
Automatic
Server
Manual
Deactivated
Enables the sharing of files or devices via the network.
Automatic
Shell hardware detection
Manual
Deactivated
Controls the autostart functionality of data carriers (e.g. CDs/DVDs or digital cameras).
Automatic
Security Center
Manual
Deactivated
Service behind the Security Center and various security warnings (e.g. when the firewall is deactivated).
Automatic
Security account management
Manual
Deactivated
This service offers the functionality of "Secondary login" and "Protected storage".
Automatic
Session manager for remote desktop help
Manual
Deactivated
Support for remote desktop sessions.
Manual
Smartcard
Manual
Deactivated
Necessary if you dial into the company network via SmartCard.
Manual
SSDP search service
Manual
Deactivated
Support for currently not widespread UPnP devices. Can be disabled and poses a security risk.
Manual
System event notification
Automatic
Manual
Many applications use this service and can no longer be used after deactivation.
Automatic
System recovery service
Manual
Deactivated
If you do not use System Restore, you can deactivate this service.
Automatic
Task planner
Automatic
Deactivated
Automatic planning of (for example) maintenance services such as defragmentation or backups.
Automatic
TCP/IP-NetBIOS utility program
Manual
Deactivated
A relic from the old network days. Hardly needed nowadays.
Automatic
Telephony
Automatic
Deactivated
Is required for dial-up via modem/ISDN and in some cases also for DSL.
Manual
Telnet
Manual
Deactivated
A security hole that attackers can exploit. If you do not use Telnet, we recommend deactivating it.
Manual
Terminal services
Manual
Deactivated
If you use terminal services, this service is important. We recommend deactivating it for normal users.
Manual
Monitoring of distributed links
Manual
Deactivated
Monitors shortcuts on NTFS disks in the network or on your own computer. Even on standalone computers (with NTFS file system), we recommend setting this service to "Manual". Use the "Disabled" settings if no problems occur.
Automatic
Universal Plug & Play device host
Manual
Deactivated
Support for UPnP devices (see SSDP search service). Can be deactivated.
Manual
Uninterruptible power supply
Manual
Deactivated
Do you use a UPS device to prevent data loss due to power failure? If so, this service is required.
Manual
Management of logical data carriers
Automatic
Deactivated
Used for partitioning and managing hard disks.
Automatic
Management service for the management of logical data carriers
Manual
Deactivated
(see "Management of logical data carriers"). However, if you use it, it can also be set to "Manual", as it can start itself if necessary, unlike the actual service.
Manual
Volume shadow copy
Manual
Deactivated
Only required if you use Microsoft's backup program.
Manual
Warning service
Deactivated
Deactivated
(see news service).
Deactivated
Web client
Manual
Deactivated
According to Microsoft's description, this is important for Internet programs. On our test computers and for many users, deactivation does not lead to any restrictions for WWW, FTP, file sharing etc.
Manual
Removable disk
Manual
Deactivated
Necessary for data carriers such as ZIP or tape drives.
Manual
Windows Audio
Automatic
Deactivated
Support for your sound card.
Automatic
Windows Installer
Manual
Deactivated
Is required for Windows Installer based setup applications.
Manual
Windows image capture
Manual
Deactivated
Support for scanners, webcams or digital cameras.
Manuel
Windows Firewall/shared use of the Internet connection
Manual
Deactivated
If your computer does not connect to the Internet/network, you can deactivate this service.
Automatic
Windows Management Instrumentation
Automatic
Automatic
One of the most important services of the computer. Provides access to various data and functions of the computer.
Automatic
Windows timer
Manual
Deactivated
Support for clock synchronization.
Automatic
WMI power adapter
Manual
Deactivated
Only useful for system administrators with WMI monitoring tools.
Manual
Congratulations - passed! They have now changed many services and have certainly gained their own experience with the list. Do not hesitate and email them to me at hilfe@windows-tweaks.info!
A little side note: If you are planning a new installation, it is helpful if you take the optimized settings with you. This eliminates the need to reconfigure the services. You should also create a backup that you can insert by double-clicking before setting up the services:
1. Open the Windows registry by clicking on Start/Execute click and regedit type in.
2. Navigate to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\Services and click on File/Export. Now select the path and the file name and save this entire part of the registry. In future, you can double-click on this file so that the settings are applied immediately!
Founded Windows Tweaks as a teenager in the 90s. His helpful PC tricks made it Germany's most visited Windows site (at the time Sandro looked like this). He then went on to write elsewhere, for example for PC-Praxis, Computer Bild and PCWorld in the USA. Microsoft also poached him from us. Now Sandro is back, finally sharing his tweaks here again. For a stress-free digital everyday life. You can reach Sandro via e-mail.
Hello & welcome 👋 On Windows Tweaks you will find time-savingtech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
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Time-saving tips for PCs, laptops, Windows and software?
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Can be canceled at any time. About 1 - 2 mails per month. The consent includes the information on revocation, shipping service provider and statistics according to our Privacy policy.
