TweakHound - Tweaking Windows Vista, page 6
Windows Vista Services Guide
No plagiarism please.
1 - BACKUP your computer BEFORE you mess with the
services.
2 - Changing the status of a service that doesn't start
Automatically anyway does nothing for you performance wise.
i.e. - If XYZ service doesn't start when you start your
computer, what good does it do to disable it? You risk a
loss of functionality down the road and you've gained
nothing as far as performance is concerned. However, there
are some things that may pose a security risk and I've
highlighted that below.
3 - The recommendations are specifically NOT for computers that are involved in any way with a Domain or Corporate network. It is entirely up to you to evaluate each and every change you make. For instance let us look at the Secondary Logon service. A quick bit of research will show that you need this enabled if you have standard user accounts. And how about the DFS Replication service? It is a Windows Vista program that can be uninstalled, removing the entry from the services menu altogether. Bottom line is, know what you are disabling before you disable it.
4 - The table below contains the Vista Default Services Settings for you to reference.
These were taken from Windows Vista Ultimate Edition which means it will list more services than other versions.
If you don't see it listed in your services don't stress out, you don't have it.
5 - Needed For? - This column is a short & sweet description of why it's there, or what you'll lose if you disable it.
If it doesn't apply to a home network I'll simply list Corporate.
6 - I've provided my recommendations towards the bottom of this page. I've divided them into specific categories, be mindful of them.
TweakHound's Vista Services Recommendations (click here
for faster access)
|
TweakHound - Vista Services Guide |
||
|
Name |
Default Startup Type |
Needed For ? |
|
Application Experience |
Automatic |
Enables 3rd party apps to run / run correctly in Vista. |
|
Application Information |
Manual |
"Run as" admin |
|
Application Layer Gateway Service |
Manual |
ICS |
|
Application Management |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Background Intelligent Transfer Service |
Automatic (Delayed Start) |
Windows Update |
|
Base Filtering Engine |
Automatic |
Firewall, ICS, others |
|
Block Level Backup Engine Service |
Manual |
I've no clue what this really does, can't find anything that uses it, can't find any documentation on it. |
|
Certificate Propagation |
Manual |
Smart Cards |
|
CNG Key Isolation |
Manual |
Encryption |
|
COM+ Event System |
Automatic |
lots of essential services |
|
COM+ System Application |
Manual |
see above |
|
Computer Browser |
Automatic |
keeps a list of active computers on your net, it is not needed for browsing the net but can make it snappier. |
|
Cryptographic Services |
Automatic |
lots of essential services |
|
DCOM Server Process Launcher |
Automatic |
lots of essential services |
|
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager |
Automatic |
Aero theme |
|
DFS Replication |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
DHCP Client |
Automatic |
Internet, Network |
|
Diagnostic Policy Service |
Automatic |
Problem solving |
|
Diagnostic Service Host |
Manual |
Problem solving |
|
Diagnostic System Host |
Manual |
Problem solving |
|
Distributed Link Tracking Client |
Automatic |
Corporate (usually) |
|
Distributed Transaction Coordinator |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
DNS Client |
Automatic |
Internet, Network |
|
Extensible Authentication Protocol |
Manual |
WiFi, VPN's |
|
Fax |
Manual |
Faxing |
|
Function Discovery Provider Host |
Manual |
External networked devices |
|
Function Discovery Resource Publication |
Automatic |
others can see what you got (see above) |
|
Group Policy Client |
Automatic |
lots of essential services |
|
Health Key and Certificate Management |
Manual |
Encryption |
|
Human Interface Device Access |
Manual |
some keyboards, remotes (leave as is) |
|
IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules |
Automatic |
Corporate |
|
Interactive Services Detection |
Manual |
answer system event pop-ups |
|
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) |
Disabled |
just buy a router already |
|
IP Helper |
Automatic |
IPv6 |
|
IPsec Policy Agent |
Automatic |
Corporate |
|
KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator |
Automatic (Delayed Start) |
databases |
|
Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper |
Manual |
pretty little network map |
|
Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v2.0.50727_X86 |
Manual |
.Net |
|
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider |
Manual |
backups |
|
Multimedia Class Scheduler |
Automatic |
allows multimedia apps to snag more resources |
|
Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service |
Disabled |
allows .net apps to share ports |
|
Netlogon |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Network Access Protection Agent |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Network Connections |
Manual |
Internet, Network |
|
Network List Service |
Automatic |
Internet, Network |
|
Network Location Awareness |
Automatic |
Internet, Network |
|
Network Store Interface Service |
Automatic |
Internet, Network |
|
Offline Files |
Automatic |
Corporate (usually) |
|
Parental Controls |
Manual |
Keeping the rug rats away from bad things |
|
Peer Name Resolution Protocol |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Peer Networking Grouping |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Peer Networking Identity Manager |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Performance Logs & Alerts |
Manual |
perfmon |
|
Plug and Play |
Automatic |
what it says |
|
PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator |
Manual |
External networked devices |
|
PNRP Machine Name Publication Service |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Portable Device Enumerator Service |
Automatic |
restricts use of things like ipods |
|
Print Spooler |
Automatic |
Printing |
|
Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support |
Manual |
lookup what went wrong |
|
Program Compatibility Assistant Service |
Automatic |
"compatibility mode" |
|
Protected Storage |
Manual |
saved passwords |
|
Quality Windows Audio Video Experience |
Manual |
QOS for home networks |
|
ReadyBoost |
Automatic |
speeds caching |
|
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager |
Manual |
allows apps to connect to the net |
|
Remote Access Connection Manager |
Manual |
Internet, Network |
|
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) |
Automatic |
lots of essential services |
|
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Remote Registry |
Manual |
huge security risk |
|
Routing and Remote Access |
Disabled |
Corporate |
|
Secondary Logon |
Automatic |
allows "Run as" admin |
| Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service | Manual | VPN protocol |
|
Security Accounts Manager |
Automatic |
stores passwords, GPE settings, etc |
|
Security Center |
Automatic (Delayed Start) |
Protects noobs from themselves |
|
Server |
Automatic |
Alows sharing of files |
|
Shell Hardware Detection |
Automatic |
Autoplay |
|
SL UI Notification Service |
Manual |
MS anti-piracy garbage |
|
Smart Card |
Manual |
what it says |
|
Smart Card Removal Policy |
Manual |
allows computer to be locked on card removal |
|
SNMP Trap |
Manual |
Corporate (usually) |
|
Software Licensing |
Automatic |
MS anti-piracy garbage |
|
SSDP Discovery |
Manual |
allows discovery of UPnP devices, security risk |
|
Superfetch |
Automatic |
monitors and preloads the stuff you use the most making your overall computing faster |
|
System Event Notification Service |
Automatic |
tracks system events and notifies apps of them |
|
Tablet PC Input Service |
Automatic |
"pen and ink" functionality |
|
Task Scheduler |
Automatic |
what it says |
|
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper |
Automatic |
TCP/IP NetBIOS is a networking protocol. The default for Windows peer-to-peer networks is to use this protocol for sharing. However it is possible (and recommended for the security minded) to disable this service and still have sharing on your network). This requires a little extra configuration on your part. For those who use Linux and Samba, disabling this may cause problems. |
|
Telephony |
Manual |
Are you still using a modem? |
|
Terminal Services |
Automatic |
This is said to be a security risk. Allows you to connect to another machine as if it were your own. Remote Desktop, and Windows Media Extender require this. |
|
Terminal Services Configuration |
Manual |
see above |
|
Terminal Services UserMode Port Redirector |
Manual |
see above, above :-) |
|
Themes |
Automatic |
Gives your desktop the pretty colors |
|
Thread Ordering Server |
Manual |
allows multi-threaded apps to do their thing |
|
TPM Base Services |
Manual |
part of Vista's security, required for BitLocker |
|
UPnP Device Host |
Automatic |
Said to be a security risk. Allows networking with devices that also use UPnP. Routers, some media players, X-box? |
|
User Profile Service |
Automatic |
Loads your profile, some settings unique to you are there. |
|
Virtual Disk |
Manual |
Got RAID? (other disk management too) |
|
Volume Shadow Copy |
Manual |
backups |
|
WebClient |
Automatic |
Connect to a WebDAV directory by adding the directory to the list of Network Places and display the contents as if it were part of the same file system on your local computer. (source) |
|
Windows Audio |
Automatic |
what it says |
|
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder |
Automatic |
see above |
|
Windows Backup |
Manual |
what it says |
|
Windows CardSpace |
Manual |
Support for digital ID (source) |
|
Windows Color System |
Manual |
makes your colors look like they're supposed to (source) |
|
Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar |
Manual |
this is a new one to me, see here |
|
Windows Defender |
Automatic |
anti-spyware |
|
Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework |
Manual |
allows your hardware to run correctly |
|
Windows Error Reporting Service |
Automatic |
Allows MS to know they ruined your day, not that they care. real answer - reports errors to MS so, in theory they can find a fix. You on their payroll? I ain't. |
|
Windows Event Collector |
Manual |
Can put errors for elsewhere in your event logs. |
|
Windows Event Log |
Automatic |
Manages your event logs, Task Scheduler needs this. |
|
Windows Firewall |
Automatic |
what it says |
|
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) |
Manual |
gets pics from scanners and cameras |
|
Windows Installer |
Manual |
what it says |
|
Windows Management Instrumentation |
Automatic |
lots of essential services |
|
Windows Media Center Extender Service |
Disabled |
Got one, need it |
|
Windows Media Center Receiver Service |
Manual |
TV and radio |
|
Windows Media Center Scheduler Service |
Manual |
record TV |
|
Windows Media Center Service Launcher |
Automatic (Delayed Start) |
starts the above 2 if you got a TV card |
|
Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service |
Manual |
for playing your music / videos on other PC's, see the sharing section in WMP options |
|
Windows Modules Installer |
Manual |
"Enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components" |
|
Windows Presentation Foundation Font Cache 3.0.0.0 |
Manual |
caches fonts for .Net 3.0 apps |
|
Windows Remote Management (WS-Management) |
Manual |
Corporate (should be safe to disable for the security minded) |
|
Windows Search |
Automatic |
Resource hogging, annoying little... ahem, the old Indexing service on steroids. Learn to organize your data and ditch this thing. |
|
Windows Time |
Automatic |
Keeps your computers time correct |
|
Windows Update |
Automatic (Delayed Start) |
what it says |
|
WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service |
Manual |
Corporate |
|
Wired AutoConfig |
Manual |
Corporate (usually) 802.1X authentication |
|
WLAN AutoConfig |
Manual |
allows Windows to detect the available wireless networks and automatically connect to the most preferred wireless network (source) |
|
WMI Performance Adapter |
Manual |
collects performance data |
|
Workstation |
Automatic |
lots of networking services |
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I use True Image 2011 for all my OS backups and Disk Director 11.0 for all my partitioning requirements.
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