Some of this material can be a little intimidating, but it's not as difficult as it may sound.

Windows Services are lower-level programs that provide supporting functions for other applications. For example, the DNS and DHCP operations described in Technical School 1 are carried out by two services called DNS Client and DHCP Client. You probably never see them, but the work they perform is necessary for allowing your computer to function.

There are dozens of built-in services that come with Windows, and some applications install their own as well. For example, antivirus programs typically install several services that they require Some services, however, are unnecessary for most users. It's debatable whether disabling unnecessary services will speed up your computer (since they don't use that much of your computer's memory and processing time), but some of them can be security risks, so they're worth disabling if you don't need them.

Let's see these services
To see what services are available on your computer, click Run from the Start menu, and type:
msconfig
When you hit OK a window opens up which shows your computer's startup configuration. Click the second-to-last tab, Services, and you'll see a list of services, their manufacturers, and their current status (running or stopped). If you click the checkbox at the bottom labeled Hide All Microsoft Services you'll see just the ones that are from other parties. Click the Cancel button to close.

Which services should I disable?
Two services which nearly everyone should disable are Messenger and UPnP. Messenger is not the same as the Instant Messenger for MSN; rather, it's a service that allows a network administrator to send messages like, "The network will be shut down for maintenance in five minutes" to all computers on the network. Spammers can use the service to send ad pop-ups to your computer. XP Service Pack 2 will automatically disable the Messenger service, or you can download Shoot The Messenger.

UPnP stands for Universal Plug 'n' Play, an expansion of the Plug 'n' Play feature which can be exploited by hackers. Practically no one needs it. It runs through two services, UPNP Device Host and SSDP Discovery Service. [Note: DON'T disable Plug and Play, which is an essential service.] You can disable these with Unplug 'n' Pray.

There are other services to disable which need to be disabled manually, but it's not difficult. The important thing is to be careful not to disable essential services. WARNING: You should set a System Restore point before disabling services, just in case you disable something you shouldn't.

The first one we're going to look at is the Indexing Service. Its purpose is to speed up searches on your computer by updating an index of the text every time you use a file. It's not a security risk, but in practice the overhead of performing the index update every time you use a file slows performance. Here's how to disable the service:
Click Run from the Start menu, and type:
services.msc
When you hit OK a window opens with five columns:
1) the Name of the service,
2) a Description of what the service does,
3) the Status, Started or not,
4) the Startup Type, Automatic, Manual, or Disabled,
5) Log On As, which you don't need to worry about now.

Automatic services start when Windows starts. Manual services start only when another process requests them. Disabled services are not permitted to run. Right-click on Indexing Service and choose Properties. Half-way down is a pull-down box for Startup Type; change it to Disabled and click Apply, then OK.

There are several other services you can disable:

The following services allow other computers to view or command your computer, a MAJOR security risk, and should be disabled unless you know you use them:
Clipbook
Netmeeting Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop Help Session
Remote Registry Service
Routing and Remote Access
Telnet

Unless you are on a large network with a network administrator, you don't need:
Alerter
Distributed Link Tracking Client

If you have a standalone computer (which is not on a LAN and doesn't share files or printers with other computers), you can disable:
Computer Browser
Server
Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Unless you have more than one User account on your computer, and you want to be able to keep both logged on and switch between them, you don't need:
Fast User Switching Compatibility
Terminal Services [note: Terminal Services is also needed for some of the remote services above as well, which you probably disabled anyway]

Unless you're part of a domain, you don't need Net Logon. Even if you have a home network, you're computers are probably in a Workgroup rather than a Domain.

Secondary Logon or RunAs (different name on different versions of Windows) is used for running some programs as a different user (such as a user with administrative rights). Highly doubtful you use it and a security risk.

When an application crashes, the Error Reporting Service pops up a box asking if you want to report it to Microsoft. It's debatable whether this actually results in more stable applications, or just violates your privacy. I leave it on, but you may wish to disable it.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper is a leftover from older networking technologies and a possible security risk. Unless you find that your home network isn't working properly or that online multiplayer games don't work properly, disable it.

If you don't send or receive faxes on your computer, you can disable Fax Service.

If you never use Help or Support, you can disable Help and Support Service, which uses a lot of resources, but you may want to leave it on in case you need it.

If you don't use special Hot Keys, remote controls, or other special input devices, you can disable Human Interface Device Access. If you find one of your peripherals stops working, turn it back on.

If you don't use FTP for transferring files on the web, you can disable IIS and FTP services.

If you don't have a CD burner, you don't need IMAPI CD Burning COM Service.

Many people say IPSEC is unnecessary and slows performance. I disable it, but there are some reports that it's needed for certain purposes.

MS Software Shadow Copy is used by the built-in Backup accessory. If you use a different backup method, you may be able to disable it.

Unless you actually look at performance logs, which you almost certainly don't, you can disable Performance Logs and Alerts.

Portable Media Serial Number retrieves the serial number of a portable music player attached to your computer, for the purpose of downloading protected content. It's a possible privacy violation. Unless you have such a device AND you find you can't download certain content when you disable this, you should disable it.

QoS RSVP is only needed if you have specific applications and devices that provide a load balancing function, which practically no one does.

Unless you have a smart card device, you can disable Smart Card and Smart Card Helper

Uninterruptible Power Supply Service is only needed if you have a UPS, and even then is not always needed.

Upload Manager is only needed on a network and possibly not even then.

Windows Time automatically checks your clock against a time server. I leave it on, but it isn't necessary.

Wireless Configuration (or Wireless Zero Configuration only needed if you use wireless networking.

Tags: faster computing, safe surfing