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HERE
Detailed list of
factory installed Services
The Alerter service notifies users of
administrative alerts on a network. This
service usually is not required under normal
circumstances. After the installation of
Service Pack 2, this service is set from Manual
to Disabled by default. Note: This is NOT "WinPopUp."
Default XP Home: Disabled *
Default XP Pro: Disabled *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
Alerter
Dependencies:
What service Alerter needs to function
properly:
What other service require Alerter to
function properly:
Before the installation of Service Pack 2,
this service was required for use with the
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing
* service. After the installation of Service
Pack 2, it no longer is required.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
ALG
Dependencies:
What service Application Layer Gateway
Service needs to function properly:
What other service require Application Layer
Gateway Service to function properly:
Used for Assign, Publish and Remove software
services. If you cannot modify your software
installation of certain applications, put this
service in to Automatic or Manual. If you have
Windows XP Home Version, this service may be
causing problems described in this knowledge
base article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q328213?SD=EE
Disable
this service in Windows XP Home until
installation of
Service Pack 2.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
AppMgmt
Dependencies:
What service Application Management needs to
function properly:
What other service require Application
Management to function properly:
Used to check up to see if there is any
critical or otherwise updates available for
download. You may choose to update manually due
to the very long lag time from when an update
is available and when Windows XP reports it.
After the installation of
Service Pack 1, you may configure how
"often" updates are checked. Using default
values, Windows XP "automatically" checks for
updates at 3AM, downloads the updates and asks
to "install" them. I do not
recommend that you disable Automatic Updates
for "most" computer users. A few
reasons why you may think Automatic Updates is
unacceptable in your situation:
- You could have a dial-up connection; If
XP feels like downloading whenever it wants,
it just may not allow you to do what "you"
want.
- Wish to know what, when and how an update
installs before using any bandwidth.
- Want to read about the update before
downloading.
- Want to know why you need it and
what it fixes.
It is very important that if you
decide to disable this service, you check the
Windows Update web site often to
ensure the latest patches install properly. I
do not recommend that you disable
Automatic Updates for "most" computer users.
Take note: Manual updates via
Windows Update web site requires
Cryptographic
Services,
Background Intelligent Transfer Service,
and Event Log to be
running. Place all three, plus
Automatic Updates,
in automatic if you do not wish to update
manually. In addition, I recommend that you
change the default time of 3AM, for the
automatic checking of updates, to a time when
the system is "normally" on.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
wuauserv
Dependencies:
What service Automatic Updates needs to
function properly:
What other service require Automatic Updates
to function properly:
This service is used to transfer
asynchronous data via http1.1 servers.
According to Microsoft's site, Windows Update
uses this "feature." It "continues" a download
if you log off or shutdown the system (that is,
when you log back in). The problem with that
is, I do not like having this "feature" running
all of the time. Even though I have found no
side effects as to this being disabled, you may
require this service for some MSN Explorer,
Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player or
future .NET functions.
Take note: Manual updates via
Windows Update web site requires
Cryptographic
Services,
Background Intelligent Transfer Service,
and Event Log to be
running. Place all three, plus
Automatic Updates,
in automatic if you do not wish to update
manually. In addition, I recommend that you
change the default time of 3AM, for the
automatic checking of updates, to a time when
the system is "normally" on.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
BITS
Dependencies:
What services Background Intelligent
Transfer Service needs to function properly:
What other service require Background
Intelligent Transfer Service to function
properly:
Used to store information (cut / paste) and
share it with other computers. I have never
found enough need for this to allow this
service to always be running. After the
installation of Service Pack 2, this service is
set from Manual to Disabled by default. This
service alone uses about 1.3 MB of memory.
Default XP Home: Disabled *
Default XP Pro: Disabled *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
ClipSrv
Dependencies:
What services ClipBook needs to function
properly:
What other service require ClipBook to
function properly:
You will receive, in the
Event Log, an entry
from "DCOM" complaining about not having this
service running if disabled. I am unaware of
any application that uses COM+, but if set to
manual, many services report to it, so it will
start anyway. This service is required for
System
Event Notification. For the fun of it:
"C:\Program Files\ComPlus Applications\"
On your system, see if you have any
installed "COM+" Applications. If not, you can
probably disable this service with no side
effects (besides the Event Log complaining upon reboots). Take note:
BootVis requires Task
Scheduler and COM+ Event System to be running if you wish
to take advantage of the "optimize system"
function. Why is it required? It is due to the
pre-fetching function built into Windows XP.
Another Note: Pre-fetching only occurs on boot
up and application start, so if you do not care
about a few extra seconds of boot time, you may
decide to not even bother with it and disable
Task Scheduler.
Depending on the system, pre-fetching may
increase performance. Windows Media Player may
also require this service for some "features"
to function. MS' .NET may require this service
in the future. I recommend disabled for Super
Tweaking, and manual for most other
configurations.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
EventSystem
Dependencies:
What service COM+ Event System needs to
function properly:
What other service require COM+ Event System
to function properly:
You will receive, in the
Event Log, an entry
from "DCOM" complaining about not having this
service running if disabled. I am unaware of
any application that uses COM+, but if set to
manual, many services report to it, so it will
start anyway. For the fun of it:
"C:\Program Files\ComPlus Applications"
On your system, see if you have any
installed "COM+" Applications. If not, you can
probably disable this service with no side
effects (besides the Event Log complaining upon reboots). This service
is required for
System
Event Notification.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
COMSysApp
Dependencies:
What service COM+ System Application needs
to function properly:
What other service require COM+ System
Application to function properly:
Computer Browser service maintains a listing
of computers and resources located on the
network. This service is not required on a
standalone system. In fact, even if you want to
browse the network (workgroup or domain) or
have mapped network shares as local hard
drives, you can still do so. On a large
network, one computer is designated the
"master" browser and another one is the
"backup" browser. All others just announce they
are available every 12 minutes to "take over"
duties if one of the other computers fail. No
lag time is discernable if this service remains
disabled on all but one computer. Honestly, I
do not even believe one needs to be running.
You could, "just in case," but it sure does not
need to be running on all computers, all of the
time.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
Browser
Dependencies:
What services Computer Browser needs to
function properly:
What other service require Computer Browser
to function properly:
Mainly, it confirms signatures of Windows
files. You may always get a dialog box
complaining about uncertified drivers if this
is disabled. This service is required for
Windows Update to function in manual and
automatic mode and this service is required to
install
Service Pack 1 and 2 unified updates and
DirectX 9.0. Windows Media Player and future
.NET applications may also require this service
for some "features" to function. This service
uses about 1.9 MB of memory.
Take note: Manual updates via
Windows Update web site requires
Cryptographic
Services,
Background Intelligent Transfer Service,
and Event Log to be
running. Place all three, plus
Automatic Updates,
in automatic if you do not wish to update
manually. In addition, I recommend that you
change the default time of 3AM, for the
automatic checking of updates, to a time when
the system is "normally" on.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
CryptSvc
Dependencies:
What service Cryptographic Services needs to
function properly:
What other service require Cryptographic
Services to function properly:
Additional information coming soon.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
DcomLaunch
Dependencies:
What service DCOM Server Process Launcher
needs to function properly:
What other service require DCOM Server
Process Launcher to function properly:
This service automatically receives a
Dynamic IP address from your DHCP server and
DNS updates. Required for
ICS
/ internet client and if you run
IPSEC, disable on
a standalone system or one that has a static IP
address. Take note: Most DSL/cable ISP's use
DHCP to provide internet access. If you disable
this service and your Internet connection no
longer works, place this back into automatic.
Most DSL and cable hardware routers have the
option of enabling a DHCP server for the
internal network. Ensure that the router is
configured the same as your local PC's.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
Dhcp
Dependencies:
What services DHCP Client needs to function
properly:
- AFD Networking Support Environment
- NetBIOS over TCP/IP
- TCP/IP Protocol Driver
What other service require DHCP Client to
function properly:
Maintains links with NTFS files within your
computer or across a domain. For example, you
could make a file on "Computer A." You then
create a "short cut" or "link" to that file on
"Computer B." If you would move the file on
Computer A to a different location, this
service would tell Computer B to update its
information to allow uninterrupted
connectivity. Even though this is rather
valuable on a large network, I have not found a
use for this service on a home network. It uses
about 3.5 MB to 4 MB in an idle state.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
TrkWks
Dependencies:
What service Distributed Link Tracking
Client needs to function properly:
What other service require Distributed Link
Tracking Client to function properly:
Automatically takes care of transactions
that span multiple resources. This service is
required if using Message Queuing. You may also see
complaints in the Event Log if this service is disabled, but I have
experienced no side effects. Microsoft's .NET
may require this service in the future.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
MSDTC
Dependencies:
What services Distributed Transaction
Coordinator needs to function properly:
What other services require Distributed
Transaction Coordinator to function properly:
Resolves and caches DNS names and Active
Directory domain controller functions. This
service is not required for DNS lookups, but if
it makes you happy to have it running, you may.
However, DNS Client is required if using
IPSEC. If you
attempt to "repair" your network connection and
a dialog box complains that the "DNS resolver
failed to flush the cache," this service is the
reason.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
Dnscache
Dependencies:
What service DNS Client needs to function
properly:
What other service require DNS Client to
function properly:
Calls home to Microsoft when application
errors occur. I personally do not like this. I
feel it is a waste of memory and resources. On
the other hand, if you are experiencing system
crashes often, the best way to deal with them
is to report them using this tool.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
ERSvc
Dependencies:
What service Error Reporting Service needs
to function properly:
What other service require Error Reporting
Service to function properly:
View Event Log messages from applications in
Event Viewer. Always helpful to check out the
Event Log to see what problems with
applications are popping up that is "hidden"
from the normal user. To see quickly what, if
anything has resulted in your adjustments, you
may consider clearing the Event Log.
Windows Management Instrumentation also
requires Event Log Service to be running. If
you disable the Event Log Service, but do not
disable
Windows Management Instrumentation, your
computer may have an extended boot time while
Windows Management Instrumentation is
waiting for the Event Log to start. It is just
best to keep Event Log active for
troubleshooting purposes and normal operations.
Take note: Manual updates via
Windows Update web site requires
Cryptographic
Services,
Background Intelligent Transfer Service,
and Event Log to be
running. Place all three, plus
Automatic Updates,
in automatic if you do not wish to update
manually. In addition, I recommend that you
change the default time of 3AM, for the
automatic checking of updates, to a time when
the system is "normally" on.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
Eventlog
Dependencies:
What service Event Log needs to function
properly:
What other services require Event Log to
function properly:
Unless you have many users on a system, you
probably do not even need this service to be
running. You could benefit, however, greatly if
you use this service in conjunction with many
users on your local computer to allow switching
users without closing all existing applications
running under a different account.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
FastUserSwitchingCompatibility
Dependencies:
What services Fast User Switching
Compatibility needs to function properly:
What other service require Fast User
Switching Compatibility to function properly:
Not installed by default, but if needed, you
may install it later off the Windows XP CD.
Maintains the ability to send and receive FAX
documents on your computer.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
Fax
Dependencies:
What services Fax Service needs to function
properly:
What other service require Fax Service to
function properly:
This service is renamed to Fax * after the installation of Service
Pack 2.
FTP Publishing *
This feature is not available on Windows XP
Home or installed by default on Windows XP Pro,
but if you need it, you may install it later
off the Windows XP CD. This service provides a
FTP server on your network.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
MSFTPSVC
Dependencies:
What services FTP Publishing needs to
function properly:
What other service require FTP Service to
function properly:
This service is renamed to
FTP Publishing *
after the installation of Service Pack 2.
This service is required for Microsoft's
online (or offline) help documents. If you ever
"attempt" to use Help and Support, the service
places itself back into "Automatic" and starts
even if you already had this service on
disabled. "Program Compatability Wizard"
located at Start > All Programs > Accessories
and "System Information" located at Start > All
Programs > Accessories > System Tools requires
Help and Support service to be started (it will
start in Manual mode). Each will fire off one
process named "helpctr.exe" and System
Information will also fire off one process
named "helpsvc.exe". After selecting the "Help
and Support" icon in the Start menu, "helpctr.exe"
and "HelpHost.exe" processes are fired off.
After closing each program, the new processes
will exit after around 30 seconds. However, I
try to avoid as much Microsoft help as I can...
:)
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
helpsvc
Dependencies:
What service Help and Support needs to
function properly:
What other service require Help and Support
to function properly:
More information coming soon.
Default XP Home: Manual *
Default XP Pro: Manual *
Safe Setting: Manual *
Service name (registry):
HTTPFilter
Dependencies:
What service HTTP SSL needs to function
properly:
What other service require HTTP SSL to
function properly:
You may not have any peripherals that
require this service. If one of yours magically
does not function anymore, set it to automatic.
Namely, scanners with function buttons (fax,
copy) or even an "Internet" keyboard with
volume or play controls.
Default XP Home: Disabled
Default XP Pro: Disabled
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
HidServ
Dependencies:
What service Human Interface Device Access
needs to function properly:
What other service require Human Interface
Device Access to function properly:
This feature is not available on Windows XP
Home or installed by default on Windows XP Pro,
but if needed, you may install it later off the
Windows XP CD. This service usually operates in
conjunction with a local
web site or FTP server.
Leave it uninstalled mainly because IIS has
been "popular" for crackers to break.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
IISADMIN
Dependencies:
What services IIS Admin needs to function
properly:
What other services require IIS Admin to
function properly:
This service operates that cool "drag and
drop" CD burn capability. You will need this
service to burn CD's. What is the good news? If
you set this service to manual, the service
starts and stops itself when used with some
software packages. This is practically the only
service that does do this! If you still cannot
burn a CD with it on manual, switch to
automatic and feel safe that it starts only
when "needed." This service may take up about
1.6 MB of memory in an idle state.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
IISADMIN
Dependencies:
What service IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
needs to function properly:
What other service require IMAPI CD-Burning
COM Service to function properly:
This service always has been a major
resource hog. I NEVER recommend having this
service enabled. Remove the function via the
"Add / Remove Programs" icon in the control
panel (Windows Setup Programs). It uses about
500 K to 2 MB in an idle state, not to mention
the amount of memory and CPU resources it takes
to INDEX the drives. I have had people (and
witnessed it on other people's computers)
report to me that the Indexing Service
sometimes starts up EVEN while the system is
NOT idle... as in the middle of a game. You may
feel, as I do, that this is unacceptable. If
your computer suddenly seems "sluggish,"
Indexing Service is usually the cause of it.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
cisvc
Dependencies:
What service Indexing Service needs to
function properly:
What other service require Indexing Service
to function properly:
This service is renamed to
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing
* after the installation of Service Pack 2.
May be required on some domains or VPN
connections. After the installation of Service
Pack 2, some processes and applications may
take advantage of this service.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic *
Service name (registry):
PolicyAgent
Dependencies:
What services IPSEC Services needs to
function properly:
What other service require IPSEC Services to
function properly:
This service translates IPv6 IP addresses to
the older (and much more wide spread) IPv4.
Most, if not all, home users will not need this
function for several years.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed *
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
*
Safe Setting: Not Installed *
Service name (registry):
6to4
Dependencies:
What services IPv6 Helper Service needs to
function properly:
What other service require IPv6 Helper
Service to function properly:
This service is vital to run the Disk
Management MMC console for dynamic volumes. If
you attempt to "Manage" your hard drives and a
dialog box pops up complaining about not being
able to do this, start this service.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
dmserver
Dependencies:
What services Logical Disk Manager needs to
function properly:
What other service require Logical Disk
Manager to function properly:
This service is vital to run the Disk
Management MMC console for dynamic volumes.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
dmadmin
Dependencies:
What services Logical Disk Manager
Administrative Service needs to function
properly:
What other service require Logical Disk
Manager Administrative Service to function
properly:
This feature is not available on Windows XP
Home or installed by default on Windows XP Pro,
but if needed, you may install it later off of
the Windows XP CD. May be used on some domains,
but the "average" home user will never need
this service.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
MSMQ
Dependencies:
What services Message Queuing needs to
function properly:
What other service require Message Queuing
to function properly:
This feature is not available on Windows XP
Home or installed by default on Windows XP Pro,
but if needed, you may install it later off the
Windows XP CD. This service is required if you
use Message Queuing
service.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
MSMQTriggers
What services Message Queuing Triggers needs
to function properly:
What other service require Message Queuing
Triggers to function properly:
This service provides the ability to send
messages between clients and servers. This
service does not need to be running under
normal "home" conditions. It is also advisable
to make this service go away to avoid the
possibility of "net send" messages hitting your
computer from the internet. After the
installation of Service Pack 2, this service is
set from Automatic to Disabled by default. This
has nothing to do with MSN Messenger, nor is it
"WinPopUp."
To test for this security vulnerability, at
the command prompt, (run: cmd.exe) type:
net send 127.0.0.1 hi
If you get a popup "hi" message, you should
disable the Messenger service.
If you get an error stating, "The message alias
could not be found on the network," you are
safe.
If, for whatever reason, you need the
Messenger service running but wish not to have
spam popups active, you can disable the
particular ports at your firewall. The
Messenger service uses UDP ports 135, 137, and
138; TCP ports 135, 139, and 445.
Default XP Home: Disabled *
Default XP Pro: Disabled *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
Messenger
Dependencies:
What services Messenger needs to function
properly:
What other service require Messenger to
function properly:
Used in conjunction with the
Volume Shadow
Copy service, Microsoft Backup uses these
services. You will receive, in the
Event Log, an entry
complaining about not having this service
running if disabled. I have yet to find a side
effect, though, but to avoid the messages, you
can place the service in manual. Some third
party hard disk "ghost" or "imaging" software
may require this service to be running.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
SwPrv
Dependencies:
What service MS Software Shadow Copy
Provider needs to function properly:
What other service require MS Software
Shadow Copy Provider to function properly:
Used for logging onto a Domain Controller.
This service is not required on a standalone
system, or for a "home" network. After the
installation of Service Pack 2, this service is
set from Automatic to Manual by default on
Windows XP Pro.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
Netlogon
Dependencies:
What service Net Logon needs to function
properly:
What other service require Net Logon to
function properly:
Enables a user to access your computer using
NetMeeting. This may create a big open
door for the unwanted. If you are paranoid
about security, disable this function. Even if
you were not worried, I would still get rid of
it.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
mnmsrvc
Dependencies:
What service NetMeeting Remote Desktop
Sharing needs to function properly:
What other service require NetMeeting Remote
Desktop Sharing to function properly:
Required for managing network connectivity.
Set to disabled if you have no network or you
do not toy with the configurations a lot. If
your internet connectivity no longer operates
after disabling this function, set it back to
Automatic! Note: While disabling this service,
you will no longer see the system tray icon
(lower right) displayed, even for modem
connections. Connectivity, however, still
exists even on incoming shared network drives.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
Netman
Dependencies:
What service Network Connections needs to
function properly:
What other service require Network
Connections to function properly:
I have not found a good use for this
service. After the installation of Service Pack
2, this service is set from Manual to Disabled
by default. Unless you use remote
ClipBook, disable it.
This uses about 1.5 MB idle.
Default XP Home: Disabled *
Default XP Pro: Disabled *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
NetDDE
Dependencies:
What service Network DDE needs to function
properly:
What other service require Network DDE to
function properly:
I have not found a good use for this
service. After the installation of Service Pack
2, this service is set from Manual to Disabled
by default. Unless you use remote
ClipBook, disable it.
Default XP Home: Disabled *
Default XP Pro: Disabled *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
NetDDEdsdm
Dependencies:
What service Network DDE DSDM needs to
function properly:
What other services require Network DDE DSDM
to function properly:
Before the installation of Service Pack 2,
this service was required for use with the
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing
* service (server only). After the installation
of Service Pack 2, it no longer is required.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
Nla
Dependencies:
What services Network Location Awareness (NLA)
needs to function properly:
- AFD Networking Support Environment
- TCP/IP Protocol Driver
What other service require Network Location
Awareness (NLA) to function properly:
This service is used in conjunction with a
domain controller and XML configuration files.
Home networks does not require this service.
Default XP Home: Manual *
Default XP Pro: Manual *
Safe Setting: Disabled *
Service name (registry):
xmlprov
Dependencies:
What service Network Provisioning Service
needs to function properly:
What other services require NT LM Security
Support Provider to function properly:
Manages local system security information on
the computer. You need this service if you are
running Message Queuing or Telnet
server.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
NtLmSsp
Dependencies:
What service NT LM Security Support Provider
needs to function properly:
What other services require NT LM Security
Support Provider to function properly:
This service is unavailable until the
installation of Service Pack 2. This service
does not install by default after the
installation of Service Pack 2, but if needed,
you may install it later by using Add/Remove
Programs. This service seems to have something
to do with IPv6 and functionality that has not
been fully implemented. Microsoft tends to
throw in services in older OS's that may be
used at a later date to speed adoption. Leave
this not installed for now.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed *
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
*
Safe Setting: Not Installed *
Service name (registry):
PNRPSvc
Dependencies:
What services Peer Name Resolution Protocol
needs to function properly:
What other service require Peer Name
Resolution Protocol to function properly:
This service is unavailable until the
installation of Service Pack 2. This service
does not install by default after the
installation of Service Pack 2, but if needed,
you may install it later by using Add/Remove
Programs. This service seems to have something
to do with IPv6 and functionality that has not
been fully implemented. Microsoft tends to
throw in services in older OS's that may be
used at a later date to speed adoption. Leave
this not installed for now.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed *
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
*
Safe Setting: Not Installed *
Service name (registry):
p2psvc
Dependencies:
What services Peer Networking needs to
function properly:
What other service require Peer Networking
to function properly:
This service is unavailable until the
installation of Service Pack 2. This service
does not install by default after the
installation of Service Pack 2, but if needed,
you may install it later by using Add/Remove
Programs. This service seems to have something
to do with IPv6 and functionality that has not
been fully implemented. Microsoft tends to
throw in services in older OS's that may be
used at a later date to speed adoption. Leave
this not installed for now.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed *
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
*
Safe Setting: Not Installed *
Service name (registry):
p2pgasvc
Dependencies:
What service Peer Networking Group
Authentication needs to function properly:
What other service require Peer Networking
Group Authentication to function properly:
This service is unavailable until the
installation of Service Pack 2. This service
does not install by default after the
installation of Service Pack 2, but if needed,
you may install it later by using Add/Remove
Programs. This service seems to have something
to do with IPv6 and functionality that has not
been fully implemented. Microsoft tends to
throw in services in older OS's that may be
used at a later date to speed adoption. Leave
this not installed for now.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed *
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
*
Safe Setting: Not Installed *
Service name (registry):
p2pimsvc
Dependencies:
What service Peer Networking Identity
Manager to function properly:
What other services require Peer Networking
Identity Manager to function properly:
Collect performance data on a schedule and
send the information to a log or trigger an
alert. This may be a super geek tool, but I
feel that the overhead associated with it is
not worth the benefit. You decide.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
SysmonLog
Dependencies:
What service Performance Logs and Alerts
needs to function properly:
What other service require Performance Logs
and Alerts to function properly:
This service is the heart and soul of the
Plug and Play environment. I do not recommend
disabling this service, but if you want to, you
are on your own. Take note:
UPnP is not
PnP.
UPnP is for connectivity on networks via
TCP/IP to devices, such as scanners or
printers. Your sound card is
PnP. Do not
disable Plug and Play
service.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
PlugPlay
Dependencies:
What service Plug and Play needs to function
properly:
What other services require Plug and Play to
function properly:
This service is renamed to
Portable Media Serial Number Service *
after the installation of Service Pack 2.
Retrieves serial numbers from portable music
players connected to your computer. I have not
really found a good reason to keep this service
always running. I am not aware of anything that
actually requires it. Disable it unless
something of yours ceases to function properly,
such as Windows Media Player, Microsoft's
integration with "Digital Rights Management"
and copy protection. After the installation of
Service Pack 2, this service is set from
Automatic to Manual by default.
Default XP Home: Manual *
Default XP Pro: Manual *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
WmdmPmSN
Dependencies:
What service Portable Media Serial Number
needs to function properly:
What other service require Portable Media
Serial Number to function properly:
Queues up print jobs for later printing.
This service is required if you have printers,
even if they are network printers. If this does
not fit your needs, disable it. You will save
about 3.8 MB by making this service go away.
Your printers will still be "installed" if you
disable this service, but not visible in the
printers folder. After restarting Print
Spooler, they will reappear and be available
for use. I place this service into manual mode
and only start it up when printing is required.
In manual mode, the service will not
automatically start at boot time.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
Spooler
Dependencies:
What service Print Spooler needs to function
properly:
What other services require Print Spooler to
function properly:
Allows for the saving of local passwords or
even web sites information (AutoComplete). This
service is set to Automatic by default. Due to
security reasons, I recommend leaving this
"feature" disabled to make things all that much
more difficult to steal vital information if
you do not "save" it. On the other hand, you
may need this service to manage private keys
for encryption purposes. If so, leave this
service on automatic to ensure the "higher"
security settings you choose work. If you
disable this service, you will no longer have
any of your passwords saved, no matter how many
times you click the box. If you enjoy having
your passwords saved in applications like
Outlook or Dial up networking or you are
connecting to the internet via a domain
controller/server that requires authentication,
set this service to Automatic.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
ProtectedStorage
Dependencies:
What service Protected Storage needs to
function properly:
What other service require Protected Storage
to function properly:
Provides traffic control on a network using
IPSEC and
applications that support QoS,
and have an adapter that supports it. The
QoS Packet Driver installs by default on any
TCP/IP connections. I recommend uninstalling it
if it is not needed on your network. As far as
I can tell, you also need an ACS Server
(Provided with Windows 2000 Server and Advanced
Server) for the QoS Packet Scheduler and
Applications to request the needed bandwidth.
Since my network is not straining under any
load, this is rather pointless. You may require
this service to be placed on Automatic if you
use Windows Media Player or NetMeeting. Take
note: Some people (as I did before I completed
extensive research on this) reported that QoS
uses 20% of your bandwidth and does not allow
any activity, regardless. This is false. For
more information, please view this KB article
from Microsoft (I normally do not post links to
them, but this warrants it):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q316666
Regardless, if you uninstall the packet
scheduler, no "bandwidth" is still reserved.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
RSVP
Dependencies:
What services QoS RSVP needs to function
properly:
What other service require QoS RSVP to
function properly:
Creates a connection to a network when a
program requests a remote address. This service
may be required for your internet connection.
If things cease to function after disabling
this service, put it to automatic. Note: you
may require this service for some direct cable
or DSL providers and connections, depending on
how they implement their logon process. If your
dial-up, cable or DSL internet access no longer
functions properly with this service disabled,
place this service into automatic. If you use a
hardware gateway or router, this service is not
required.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
RasAuto
Dependencies:
What services Remote Access Auto Connection
Manager needs to function properly:
What other service require Remote Access
Auto Connection Manager to function properly:
Creates a network connection. This service
is required if you use
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing
*. If things cease to function after disabling
this service, put it to automatic. Note: you
may require this service for some direct cable
or DSL providers and connections, depending on
how they implement their logon process. If your
dial-up, cable or DSL internet access no longer
functions properly with this service disabled,
place this service into automatic. If you use a
hardware gateway or router, this service is not
required.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
RasMan
Dependencies:
What services Remote Access Connection
Manager needs to function properly:
What other services require Remote Access
Connection Manager to function properly:
Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If
you do not want or need to use this feature,
disable it. In an idle state, this service
sucks up 3.4 MB to 4 MB of RAM.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
RDSessMgr
Dependencies:
What service Remote Desktop Help Session
Manager needs to function properly:
What other service require Remote Desktop
Help Session Manager to function properly:
This service is rather vital. Practically
everything depends on this service to be
running. This is also the only service that you
cannot disable via the Services MMC.
Previously, if you disabled this service in
Windows 2000, your computer would become
unbootable. What I am trying to tell you is
leave this service on automatic and
DO NOT disable it.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
RpcSs
Dependencies:
What service Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
needs to function properly:
What other services require Remote Procedure
Call (RPC) to function properly:
Manages the RPC name service database. I
have not found a reason to keep this service
running. However, if something on your network
breaks after you disable this service, put it
back to manual. About 1.2 MB of RAM is in use
with this service.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
RpcLocator
Dependencies:
What service Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Locator needs to function properly:
What other service require Remote Procedure
Call (RPC) Locator to function properly:
This feature is not available on Windows XP
Home. This is one of those not needed services.
One of the first I disable. If you are paranoid
about security, disable this service. Even if
you are not or do not care, disable it anyway.
Default XP Home: Not
Available
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
RemoteRegistry
Dependencies:
What service Remote Registry Service needs
to function properly:
What other service require Remote Registry
Service to function properly:
Used for managing removable media. Disable
this service if you do not have items like tape
backup devices, etc. If your CD ROM / DVD drive
starts acting funny, (no auto play, etc) place
this service into automatic. Normally, this
service does not need to be running and you
will not miss any of its functionality.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
NtmsSvc
Dependencies:
What service Removable Storage needs to
function properly:
What other service require Removable Storage
to function properly:
With Service Pack 1a, this feature is not
available on Windows XP Home or installed by
default on Windows XP Pro. However, after the
installation of Service Pack 2, you may install
it from Add/Remove Programs. If you do not know
what RIP protocol is, you do not need this
service installed. :)
Default XP Home: Not
Installed *
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
Iprip
Dependencies:
What service RIP Listener needs to function
properly:
What other service require RIP Listener to
function properly:
Allows computers to dial in to the local
computer through a modem (or other devices) to
access the local network using a standard or
VPN connection. Unless you require this
functionality, disable it for security reasons.
Upon enabling this service, "Incoming
Connections" icon will be available in the
"Network Connections" control panel. After the
installation of Service Pack 2, this service is
set from Manual to Disabled by default on
Windows XP Pro.
Default XP Home: Disabled
Default XP Pro: Disabled *
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
RemoteAccess
Dependencies:
What services Routing and Remote Access
needs to function properly:
What other service require Routing and
Remote Access to function properly:
Enables starting processes under alternate
credentials. I have never found a reason to
keep this service running. I have always
considered "Alternate Credentials" someone
other than me! Not my idea of fun... Really,
though, it allows a "limited user" account to
start an application or process with higher
privileges, such as the Administrator account
or another user. You can also have a privileged
user start an application or process with
limited privileged account. If you right-click
a file, the menu will display "Run As" option.
If you disable this service, that function will
no longer be available.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
seclogon
Dependencies:
What service Secondary Logon needs to
function properly:
What other service require Secondary Logon
to function properly:
Like Protected
Storage, it saves profile and security
information for local users. This service is
required for IIS Admin.
If you have ever used the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
to modify your settings, you need to keep this
service running; otherwise, your modifications
will not apply. For "Safe" configurations,
place this into automatic.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
SamSs
Dependencies:
What service Security Accounts Manager needs
to function properly:
What other services require Security
Accounts Manager to function properly:
This service monitors the status of
Automatic Updates,
Windows Firewall and virus protection
software. It is always displayed in the system
tray as to the status of these particular
functions. If you do not want the Security
Center to monitor these functions for you,
disabling this service is not enough. After
rebooting the system, this service will again
be placed into automatic and started. While the
service is in the started state, go to Start >
Control Panel > Security Center and select the
link on the left hand side labeled "Change the
way Security Center alerts me." In the
resulting dialog box, uncheck Firewall,
Automatic Update and Virus Protection. After
that step is complete, you may place the
Security Center service in disabled and it will
not start again or continue to be displayed in
the system tray after a reboot.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
wscsvc
Dependencies:
What services Security Center needs to
function properly:
What other service require Security Center
to function properly:
Used for file and print sharing from your
computer or Message Queuing. For security purposes, you may
disable this service if you do not require
local printers and files shared across your
network. Connectivity, however, still exists
even on incoming shared network drives.
Workstation needs to
be running to connect to another computer that
has the files you are looking for. Note: If you
disable File and Print sharing, the Server
Service may disappear from the Services
listing. Just enable File and Print sharing
again and the Server Service will return.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
Lanmanserver
Dependencies:
What service Server needs to function
properly:
What other services require Server to
function properly:
Used for the auto play of devices like
memory cards, CD drives, etc. Also, set to
automatic if you are experiencing problems with
laptop docking stations. In "My Computer," you
may not see your hardware (example: DVD drive)
displayed as a "DVD Drive" if this service is
disabled. However, all functionality still
exists. In addition, when checking the
properties of an "auto play" device, such as a
DVD drive, you will not have an auto play tab
displayed or available. This service also
allows the option of selecting what action you
wish to take with a particular "type" of file.
If you enjoy the auto play function of CD's and
DVD's after inserting them into your drive,
leave this service on automatic.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
ShellHWDetection
Dependencies:
What service Shell Hardware Detection needs
to function properly:
What other service require Shell Hardware
Detection to function properly:
This feature is not available on Windows XP
Home or installed by default on Windows XP Pro,
but if needed, you may install it later off the
Windows XP CD. This service supports the use of
a local (outbound) E-Mail server.
Default XP Home: Not
Available
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
SMTPSVC
Dependencies:
What services Simple Mail Transport Protocol
(SMTP) needs to function properly:
What other service require Simple Mail
Transport Protocol (SMTP) to function properly:
This service does not install by default,
but if needed, you may install it later off the
Windows XP CD. This service supports some old
school UNIX networking services.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
SimpTcp
Dependencies:
What service Simple TCP/IP Services needs to
function properly:
- AFD Networking Support Environment
What other service require Simple TCP/IP
Services to function properly:
Supports the use of a Smart Card for local
or network computer authentication. If you do
not have a "Smart Card," or you do not know
what a Smart Card is, you do not need this
service running. Save the 2.2 MB to 2.4 MB of
RAM this service uses.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
SCardSvr
Dependencies:
What service Smart Card needs to function
properly:
What other service require Smart Card to
function properly:
This service has been removed and combined
with Smart Card after the installation of
Service Pack 2.
This service does not install by default,
but if needed, you may install it later off the
Windows XP CD. This service supports the use of
networking equipment that uses SNMP as a mode
of remote management.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
SNMP
Dependencies:
What service SNMP Service needs to function
properly:
What other service require SNMP Service to
function properly:
This service does not install by default,
but if needed, you may install it later off the
Windows XP CD. As above, this supports the use
of networking equipment that uses SNMP as a
mode of management.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
SNMPTRAP
Dependencies:
What service SNMP Trap Service needs to
function properly:
What other service require SNMP Trap Service
to function properly:
Used to locate
UPnP devices on your home network. Used in
conjunction with
Universal Plug and Play Device Host, it
detects and configures
UPnP devices on your home network. For
security reasons and for the fact that I doubt
that you have any of these devices, disable
this service. If any EXTERNAL device does not
function because of this service being
disabled, place it back in to automatic. MSN
Messenger uses this service in conjunction with
supported
UPnP devices, to provide support for
networks behind a NAT firewall or router. Also,
if you are experiencing difficulty connecting
to multiplayer games that use DirectX(7,8,9),
place this service to automatic and ensure you
download all security updates. The problem that
I have found with this service is that it
broadcasts UDP port 1900 "a lot." If you notice
plenty of network activity even though nothing
is happening, this service is sometimes the
cause. Take note:
UPnP is NOT
PnP.
UPnP is for connectivity on networks via
TCP/IP to devices, such as scanners or
printers. Your sound card is
PnP. Do NOT
disable Plug and Play
service.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
SSDPSRV
Dependencies:
What service SSDP Discovery Service needs to
function properly:
What other service require SSDP Discovery
Service to function properly:
Used in conjunction with
COM+ Event
System,
this service notifies particular services when
system events, such as logon and power events
occur. I doubt the average user really cares
about this. I have also not seen any
applications that use this. You will receive,
in the Event Log, an
entry complaining about not having this service
running if disabled. I have yet to find a side
effect, though. For a "safe" configuration,
leave this service on automatic.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
SENS
Dependencies:
What services System Event Notification
needs to function properly:
What other service require System Event
Notification to function properly:
Read all of this before disabling!
This service creates system snap shots or
restores a point for returning to later. This
is the OTHER service that is a massive resource
hog. Indexing
Service is number one. Every time you
install a program or new driver, and on a
schedule, this service creates a "restore
point" to roll back to if a problem occurs.
This service would have been nice in the
Windows 95 days due to plenty of problems
occurring (new DirectX version every 15
minutes) but not required for the "much" more
stable Windows XP. This is the FIRST thing that
I get rid of on a clean installation. I feel it
is faster and less hassle to just install
clean. A rather GOOD (and possibly the only)
reason to use this "feature" is to roll back
your OS after installing an unknown program or
testing software. For example, if you use BETA
software of any kind. NOTE: If you disable this
service, your previous "restore points" will
delete. If, for whatever reason, you do not
want this to happen, do not disable this
service. By default, System Restore Service
uses a LARGE amount of disk space to store
rollback points. On large hard drives, this
could be well over 10 to 20 GB.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
srservice
Dependencies:
What service System Restore Service needs to
function properly:
What other service require System Restore
Service to function properly:
You use this service to schedule
maintenance, Microsoft Backup sessions, or
maybe even Auto Update. I do everything
manually, to avoid having this service running
all the time. Some third party software may
require this service to be active for automated
functions, such as virus scanners, system
maintenance tools, and automatic patch/driver
lookups. Take note: BootVis requires
Task Scheduler
and COM+ Event
System to be running if you wish to take
advantage of the "optimize system" function.
Why may you need this service? It is due to the
pre-fetching function built into Windows XP.
Another Note: Pre-fetching only occurs on boot
up and application start, so if you do not care
about a few extra seconds of boot time, do not
even bother with it and disable Task Scheduler.
On some applications, the pre-fetching feature
really does help. Only you can decide whether
to use its functionality and if it helps in the
performance of your system.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
Scheduler
Dependencies:
What service Task Scheduler needs to
function properly:
What other service require Task Scheduler to
function properly:
This feature provides legacy support for
NetBIOS over TCP/IP. If your network does not
use NetBIOS and / or WINS, disable this
function.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
LmHosts
Dependencies:
What services TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service
needs to function properly:
- AFD Networking Support Environment
- NetBIOS over TCP/IP
What other service require TCP/IP NetBIOS
Helper Service to function properly:
This service does not install by default,
but if needed, you may install it later off the
Windows XP CD. Used for setting up a local UNIX
print server. If you do not need this function,
leave it uninstalled.
Default XP Home: Not
Installed
Default XP Pro: Not Installed
Safe Setting: Not Installed
Service name (registry):
LPDSVC
Dependencies:
What services TCP/IP Print Server needs to
function properly:
What other service require TCP/IP Print
Server to function properly:
Controls telephony devices on the local
computer. This service is required for dial-up
modem connectivity. Note: you may require this
service for some direct cable or DSL providers,
depending on how they implement their logon
process or some AOL functionality, depending on
software used. If Dial-up, cable or DSL
internet access no longer functions properly
with this service disabled, place it into
automatic. If you are connecting via a hardware
router or gateway, this service is not needed.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
TapiSrv
Dependencies:
What services Telephony needs to function
properly:
What other services require Telephony to
function properly:
This service is not available on Windows XP
Home. It allows remote login to the local
computer via the telnet function. For security
reasons, disable this unless you specifically
require its functionality. You will save about
2 MB of RAM by plugging this security hole.
Default XP Home: Not
Available
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
TlntSvr
Dependencies:
What services Telnet needs to function
properly:
What other service require Telnet to
function properly:
Allows remote login to the local computer.
This service is required for
Fast User Switching,
Remote Desktop Server and Remote
Assistance. You will not be able to view who is
logged on to a particular computer by viewing
the "user" tab located in the Task Manager if
this service is disabled. For security reasons,
disable this unless you specifically require
its functionality. For some reason, start this
service to install Norton 2003.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
TermService
Dependencies:
What service Terminal Services needs to
function properly:
What other service require Terminal Services
to function properly:
Used to display all those new XP themes and
colors on your desktop. If you are memory
conscious and do not care about the "new" XP
look, disable this service to save RAM. I have
observed between 4 MB to 12 MB of RAM used for
the new themes.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
Themes
Dependencies:
What service Themes needs to function
properly:
What other service require Themes to
function properly:
I have not found a need for this. My UPS
that connects via USB does NOT need this
service to run. However, some APC UPS install a
totally different service for communication.
Windows Update also has a "patch" for the UPS
service. Some UPS connected via serial port may
require this service to be running.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
UPS
Dependencies:
What service Uninterruptible Power Supply
needs to function properly:
What other service require Uninterruptible
Power Supply to function properly:
Used in conjunction with
SSDP
Discovery Service, it detects and
configures
UPnP devices on your home network.
For security reasons and for the fact that I
doubt that you have any of these devices,
disable this service. If any EXTERNAL device
does not function because of this service being
disabled, place it back in to automatic. MSN
Messenger uses this service in conjunction with
supported
UPnP devices, to provide support for
networks behind a NAT firewall or router. Also,
if you are experiencing difficulty connecting
to multiplayer games that use DirectX(7,8,9),
place this service to automatic and ensure you
download all security updates. Furthermore, if
you use
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing
* and wish to make use of the "allow others to
modify this connection" feature, enable
UPnP.
Take note:
UPnP is NOT
PnP.
UPnP is for connectivity on networks
via TCP/IP to devices, such as scanners or
printers. Your sound card is
PnP. Do NOT
disable Plug and Play
service.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
upnphost
Dependencies:
What services Universal Plug and Play Device
Host needs to function properly:
What other service require Universal Plug
and Play Device Host to function properly:
This service is removed after the
installation of Service Pack 2.
Used in conjunction with the
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider service.
Microsoft Backup also uses these services. You
will receive, in the Event Log, an entry complaining about not having
this service running if disabled. I have yet to
find a side effect, though. If you do not like
the errors, place it in manual. By taking it
out of automatic, you will save about 3.0 MB of
memory.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
VSS
Dependencies:
What service Volume Shadow Copy needs to
function properly:
What other service require Volume Shadow
Copy to function properly:
I have not found a reason to have this
service running. I have a hunch that this is
going to be required for Microsoft's ".Net
Software as a service." For security reasons, I
recommend for this service to be disabled. If
some MS products, such as MSN Explorer, Media
Player, NetMeeting or Messenger fail to provide
a particular function, try to enable this
service to see if it is "required" for your
configuration.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
WebClient
Dependencies:
What service WebClient needs to function
properly:
What other service require WebClient to
function properly:
This service is required if you wish to hear
any audio at all. If your computer does not
have a sound card, disable this service.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
AudioSrv
Dependencies:
What services Windows Audio needs to
function properly:
What other service require Windows Audio to
function properly:
This service was named
Internet Connection Firewall/Internet
Connection Sharing * with Service Pack 1a.
Used to allow multiple computers on your
network to access the internet via only one
account. This service installs on the "modem"
computer. It also provides a software firewall
for the system. If you are using a third party
firewall, hardware gateway/router or Internet
Connection Sharing software package, this
service is not required.
Default XP Home: Automatic
*
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
SharedAccess
Dependencies:
What services Windows Firewall/Internet
Connection Sharing (ICS) needs to function
properly:
What other service require Windows
Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to
function properly:
Used for some scanners, web cams, and
cameras. If, after disabling this service, your
scanner or camera fails to function properly,
enable this service by placing it into
automatic.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
stisvc
Dependencies:
What service Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
needs to function properly:
What other service require Windows Image
Acquisition (WIA) to function properly:
This service is required for software
applications that install using MSI files. If
no applications that you have will install
properly or you get an error that involves "RPC
Service," place this service in to Automatic or
Manual. Only disable this service after you
have completed installation of your
applications, mainly Office and such. I am not
aware how many Games actually use MSI Files. In
an idle state, this service uses about 3.4 MB
of RAM. Put it to manual to save that amount.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
MSIServer
Dependencies:
What service Windows Installer needs to
function properly:
What other service require Windows Installer
to function properly:
With Service Pack 1a, this service was not
really required. However, after the
installation of Service Pack 2,
Security
Center
* and
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing
* require this service. This service is also
required if you want to see the "Dependencies"
tab in service configuration and you want
everything to go smoothly. I do not recommend
disabling this service as more applications may
begin to use this in the future.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
winmgmt
Dependencies:
What services Windows Management
Instrumentation needs to function properly:
What other service require Windows
Management Instrumentation to function
properly:
This feature is not available on Windows XP
Home. This service is not as vital as
Windows Management Instrumentation, but I
recommend leaving this service in manual.
Default XP Home: Not
Available
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Manual
Service name (registry):
Wmi
Dependencies:
What service Windows Management
Instrumentation Driver Extension needs to
function properly:
What other service require Windows
Management Instrumentation Driver Extension to
function properly:
Automatically sets your clock by contacting
a server (Microsoft's server by default) on the
internet. Great idea if your network connects
to the internet 24/7. The Event Log fills up with "cannot find
server" messages on a non-dedicated setup,
though. After successful synchronizing, this
service will not attempt to do it again for 7
days, meanwhile, taking up resources. You may
also need Task Scheduler running. You may choose to set
your clock manually on a dial up connection,
but with a 24/7 broadband setup, this could
keep you on time for work. Note: as mentioned,
"time.windows.com" is the default server for
synchronization. For those privacy conscious
people that prefer to connect to a government
site rather then MS, use "time.nist.gov."
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
W32Time
Dependencies:
What service Windows Time needs to function
properly:
What other service require Windows Time to
function properly:
Provides automatic configuration for
wireless network devices and connection quality
feedback. If you do not have any wireless
network devices in use on the local system,
disable this service. You may require this
service for connectivity with some "hot sync"
software for a PDA, laptop or other portable
computer
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
WZCSVC
Dependencies:
What services Wireless Zero Configuration
needs to function properly:
What other service require Wireless Zero
Configuration to function properly:
I have not found a use for this service.
Save the 2.5 MB to 6 MB of memory, this service
consumes.
Default XP Home: Manual
Default XP Pro: Manual
Safe Setting: Disabled
Service name (registry):
WMIApSvc
Dependencies:
What service WMI Performance Adapter needs
to function properly:
What other service require WMI Performance
Adapter to function properly:
Used to connect local computer to remote
computers. Examples may include local network
connectivity and File and Print sharing. Many
services depend on Workstation to be
functioning. Leave it on automatic for safe
configurations.
Default XP Home: Automatic
Default XP Pro: Automatic
Safe Setting: Automatic
Service name (registry):
lanmanworkstation
Dependencies:
What service Workstation needs to function
properly:
What other services require Workstation to
function properly:
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