WINDOWS XP SERVICES*

(For recommendations about tweaking these services, visit BlkViper.com.)

Alerter           

Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts. If the service is stopped, programs that use administrative alerts will not receive them. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Application Layer Gateway Service           

Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall

Application Management 

Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove.

Automatic Updates         

Enables the download and installation of critical Windows updates. If the service is disabled, the operating system can be manually updated at the Windows Update Web site.

Background Intelligent Transfer Service           

Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data.

ClipBook       

Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers. If the service is stopped, ClipBook Viewer will not be able to share information with remote computers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

 COM+ Event System           

Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing Component Object Model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

COM+ System Application    

Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components. If the service is stopped, most COM+-based components will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Computer Browser         

Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.     

Cryptographic Services         

Provides three management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

DHCP Client 

Manages network configuration by registering and updating IP addresses and DNS names.

Distributed Link Tracking Client 

Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network domain.

Distributed Transaction Coordinator   

Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

DNS Client    

Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Error Reporting Service           

Allows error reporting for services and applictions running in non-standard environments.

Event Log      

Enables event log messages issued by Windows-based programs and components to be viewed in Event Viewer. This service cannot be stopped.

Fast User Switching Compatibility 

Provides management for applications that require assistance in a multiple user environment.

Help and Support          

Enables Help and Support Center to run on this computer. If this service is stopped, Help and Support Center will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Interface Device Access           

Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service

Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to record CDs. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Indexing Service           

Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.

InteractiveLogon     

Allows the Super-Fast User Switcher to log in a user

Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.

IPSEC Services         

Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver.

Logical Disk Manager        

Detects and monitors new hard disk drives and sends disk volume information to Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service for configuration. If this service is stopped, dynamic disk status and configuration information may become out of date. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service        

Configures hard disk drives and volumes. The service only runs for configuration processes and then stops.

Messenger    

Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

MS Software Shadow Copy Provider         

Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Net Logon     

Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain.

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing          

Enables an authorized user to access this computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a corporate intranet. If this service is stopped, remote desktop sharing will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Network Connections   

Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.

Network DDE           

Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers. If this service is stopped, DDE transport and security will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Network DDE DSDM           

Manages Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) network shares. If this service is stopped, DDE network shares will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.  

Network Location Awareness (NLA)

Collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes.

NT LM Security Support Provider         

Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.

Performance Logs and Alerts 

Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If this service is stopped, performance information will not be collected. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Plug and Play 

Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.

Portable Media Serial Number          

Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer

Print Spooler 

Loads files to memory for later printing.

Protected Storage          

Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.

QoS RSVP     

Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager        

Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.

Remote Access Connection Manager        

Creates a network connection.

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager        

Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)     

Provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator          

Manages the RPC name service database.

Remote Registry

Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Removable Storage

Manages….uh….Removable Storage!!!      

Routing and Remote Access

Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.

Secondary Logon 

Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Security Accounts Manager        

Stores security information for local user accounts.

Server

Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Shell Hardware Detection       

Best I can find is this manages auto play of some devices.

Smart Card    

Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to read smart cards. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Smart Card Helper

Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not support legacy reader. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

SSDP Discovery Service           

Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.

System Event Notification    

Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events.  Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events.

System Restore Service           

Performs system restore functions. To stop service, turn off System Restore from the System Restore tab in My Computer->Properties

Task Scheduler       

Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. If this service is stopped, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution.

Telephony      

Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP based voice connections on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.

Terminal Services         

Allows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server.

Themes          

Provides user experience theme management.

Uninterruptible Power Supply

Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.

Universal Plug and Play Device Host  

Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.

Upload Manager        

Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network. If this service is stopped, synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Volume Shadow Copy 

Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

WebClient     

Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Windows Audio 

Manages audio devices for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) 

Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras.

Windows Installer         

Installs, repairs and removes software according to instructions contained in .MSI files.

Windows Management Instrumentation       

Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions

Provides systems management information to and from drivers.

Windows Time   

Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Wireless Zero Configuration

Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters

WMDM PMSP Service         

WMI Performance Adapter

Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.

Workstation  

Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

*(The descriptions came straight from the Services application except for Removable Storage and Shell Hardware Detection.)