Security and performance are the two main concerns, that Windows XP users (similar to Windows Vista and Windows 2000) need to seriously understanding these 72 Windows services.
Windows service is essentially a Windows program which is running in background. As such, Windows service taking up system resources throughout its execution. While Windows security is not hardened, some of these Windows services might easily expose security vulnerability (such as Alerter, Remote Registry, etc).
This guide covers 72 Windows services, to assist Windows XP users (as well as Windows 2000 or Windows Vista users) to determine which Windows XP services that can be safely disabled.
Note, not all Windows services could be disabled. Some of these Windows services are critical to Windows XP, and should not be disabled. Although, you may re-enable them by booting Windows XP into Recovery Console mode.
- Alerter
- Function
- Notify system users or programs about any administrative alerts that raised in Windows XP.
- Status
- Can be safely disabled at all time.
- Application Layer Gateway
- Function
- Provides support for application-level protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and Windows Firewall.
- Status
- Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, etc, rely on this service to operate. If there is a firewall enabled to safeguard Windows XP, it is safe to enable.
- Application Management
- Function
- Provides program installation related services.
- Status
- Disable this service will disallow non-administrator users to perform program installation related activities.
- Automatic Updates
- Function
- Enables the download and installation of critical Windows updates.
- Status
- You can safely disable it, and manually trigger the process by using Windows Update online service.
- Background Intelligent Transfer
- Function
- Transfers files between clients and servers in the background using idle network bandwidth.
- Status
- If Automatic Updates service has been disabled, you may want to disable this service as well. However, you may not able to download some of the programs from Windows Live, if this service is disabled.
- ClipBook
- Function
- Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers.
- Status
- This service can be safely disabled, as most users don't utilize this feature.
- COM+ Event System
COM+ System Application
- Function
- Supports System Event Notification Service by providing automatic distribution of events to subscribing COM components.
- Status
- These two services can not be disabled!
- Computer Browser
- Function
- Maintain an up-to-date list of networked resources, such as network shared drive and printer, and supply the list to programs that request it.
- Status
- You may safely disable this service if you're not going to share any resources to the network.
- Cryptographic services
- Function
- 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
- Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time. Automatic Updates and Task Manager rely on this service to function properly.
- DHCP Client
- Function
- Allow Windows XP to automatically obtain IP address, WINS server information, routing information, etc.
- Status
- There is no reason to enable it, if you're using fix IP, or no DHCP server available in the network.
- Distributed Link Tracking Client
- Function
- Ensures shortcuts and OLE links to work properly when the target file is renamed or moved, by automatically maintain links in NTFS file system.
- Status
- Depending on your wish, this service is safe to disable at all time.
- Distributed Transaction Coordinator
- Function
- Coordinates transactions that span over multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems.
- Status
- For most home users, this service is safe to disable at all time.
- DNS Client
- Function
- Allows Windows XP to communicate with canonical names rather than numeric-based IP address, by resolving and caching DNS names.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time, to facilitate Windows XP communicate over the network, especially on a network environment with domain controller.
- Error Reporting
- Function
- Allow error reporting (to Microsoft) for services and programs running in non-standard environments.
- Status
- You may enable this service only when you are frequently encounter system or program crash.
- Event Log
- Function
- Enable event log messages raised by Windows-based programs to be viewed in Event Viewer.
- Status
- Unlike Error Reporting service, this service should be enabled at all time to assist you resolving system failures, audit system security logs, etc.
- Fast User Switching Compatibility
- Function
- Enable fast user switching feature that introduced in Windows XP.
- Status
- Although fast user switching is good, but it consumes huge system resources, both memory and CPU. So, it is better to disable this service for performance reason.
- Help and Support
- Function
- Enables Windows XP Help and Support Center to run on this computer.
- Status
- Depending on your wish, if you feel comfortable without consulting Windows XP help, then you may safely disable it.
- Human Interface Device Access
- Function
- Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices, which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices.
- Status
- This service can be safely disabled to free up more system resources to critical services.
- IMAPI CD-Burning COM
- Function
- Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI).
- Status
- This service can be safely disabled, as most Windows XP users are using Nero burning software for CD/DVD burning.
- Indexing Service
- Function
- Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers and provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
- Status
- If you don't frequently searching files using Windows search function, or you can tolerate with slow searching function, then you can disable this service to free up some system resources.
- IPSEC services
- Function
- Provides end-to-end security between clients and servers on TCP/IP networks.
- Status
- Don't disable this service, if you're connecting over an IPSec secured connection.
- Logical Disk Manager
Logical Disk Manager Administrative
- Function
- Detects and monitors new hard disk drives added to Windows XP, and sends disk volume information to Logical Disk Manager Administrative service for configuration.
- Status
- You may enable these two service only when you are going to add new hard disk drives to Windows XP, rather than turning it on at all time.
- Machine Debug Manager
- Function
- Supports local and remote debugging for Visual Studio and script debuggers.
- Status
- Disable this service if you don't perform program debugging processes.
- Messenger
- Function
- Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. Note, this service is not related to Windows Messenger or MSN Messenger.
- Status
- This service is safe to disable, if you disable Alerter service.
- Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider
- Function
- Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service.
- Status
- Disable this service if you don't perform Windows Backup.
- NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
- Function
- Enables an authorized user to access you computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a corporate intranet.
- Status
- You should able to justify the reason of enabling this service, that allow remote users access to your Windows XP.
- Network Connections
- Function
- Manages the network and dial-up connections, such as network status notification and configuration.
- Status
- This service should be turned on at all time, if your Windows XP is connected to network or Internet.
- Network DDE
- Function
- Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers.
- Status
- This service is safe to disable, if there is no such need for your Windows XP.
- Network DDE DSDM
- Function
- Manages Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) network shares.
- Status
- Disable this service, if you don't use DDE network shares.
- Network Location Awareness (NLA)
- Function
- Collects and stores network configuration and location information and notifies applications when this information changes.
- Status
- Enable if this service, if your Windows XP has Internet Connection Sharing or Internet Connection Firewall enabled.
- NT LM Security Support Provider
- Function
- Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.
- Status
- You may enable this service, if your Windows XP needs to log on to pre-Windows 2000 computers or domains
- Performance Logs and Alerts
- Function
- Collects performance data from local or remote computers, based on pre-configured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert.
- Status
- Unless you are in the midst of fine tuning Windows XP, you may safely disable this service to free up system resources. This service has potential to impact Windows XP performance after running for some times.
- Plug and Play
- Function
- Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time. Disable it will cause Windows XP becomes unstable.
- Portable Media Serial Number
- Function
- Retrieves serial number of any portable media player connected to Windows XP.
- Status
- Disable this service will cause protected content unable to download to the device.
- Print Spooler
- Function
- Manages print queues and load files to memory for later printing.
- Status
- You may safely disable it, if you don't have a printer attached to Windows XP.
- Protected Storage
- Function
- Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time.
- QoS RSVP
- Function
- Provides network signaling and local traffic-control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs (Quality of Service) and control applets.
- Status
- You may enable this service, if you're using QoS aware applications.
- Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
- Function
- Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time, in order Windows XP to communicate successfully over the network.
- Remote Access Connection Manager
- Function
- Manages dial-up and virtual private network (VPN) connections from your Windows XP to the Internet or other remote networks.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time.
- Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
- Function
- Manages and controls Remote Assistance.
- Status
- You may safely disable this service, if you don't want remote users to access to your Windows XP via Remote Desktop.
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Function
- Allows processes to communicate internally and across the network with each other.
- Status
- Don't ever disable this service! Disable this service will cause Windows XP fail to boot up.
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
- Function
- Manages the RPC name service database, which is similar to DNS service for TCP/IP.
- Status
- This is also a critical service, which should be turned on at all time.
- Remote Registry
- Function
- Enables remote users to modify your Windows XP registry settings.
- Status
- Editing Windows Registry is dangerous! Unless you could justify the reason of enabling this service, Remote Registry service should be disabled whenever possible.
- Removable Storage
- Function
- Manages and catalogs removable storage media (such as USB mass storage drive) and operates automated removable media devices.
- Status
- This service should be enabled if you frequently attaching removable storage media to Windows XP.
- Routing and Remote Access
- Function
- Enables multiprotocol LAN-to-LAN, LAN-to-WAN, virtual private network (VPN), and network address translation (NAT) routing services for clients and servers on the network.
- Status
- Unless you're running Windows XP as server, this service is safe to disabled at most of time, for most Windows XP users.
- Secondary Logon
- Function
- Enables starting processes under alternate credentials.
- Status
- Disable this service will disable Run As features.
- Security Accounts Manager
- Function
- Stores security information for local user accounts.
- Status
- Disable this service will cause Group Policy objects, DHCP, etc, to fail functioning.
- Server
- Function
- Allows the sharing of Windows XP resources, such as files and printers, as well as named pipe communication.
- Status
- If you don't want remote users access to Windows XP resources, or attack via Windows XP hidden share (such as C$, D$, IPC$, etc), you may want to disable this service at all time.
- Shell Hardware Detection
- Function
- Provides notifications for AutoPlay hardware events.
- Status
- If you don't want Windows XP automatically pop up auto-play dialog box, you could safely disable this service.
- Smart Card
- Function
- Manages access to smart cards read by Windows XP.
- Status
- There is no reason to enable this service, if you don't have smart card reader attached to Windows XP.
- SSDP Discovery
- Function
- Used to detect UPnP devices found on the network.
- Status
- Disable this service, if you don't have UPNP devices attached to the network.
- System Event Notification
- Function
- Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time, especially Windows XP powered laptop (to receive battery related events).
- System Restore
- Function
- Performs system restore functions, such as saving periodic checkpoints.
- Status
- This is one of the system resouce sucker. Although, it is useful in the case of system failure. If you can tolerate with system failure or you could restore Windows XP to functioning state via Norton Ghost image, then you may safe to disable this service.
- Task Scheduler
- Function
- Configure and schedule automated tasks on Windows XP.
- Status
- Disable this service will disable scheduled tasks from running automatically.
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- Function
- Provides support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP and NetBIOS name lookups.
- Status
- This service could be safely disabled, if you don't share Windows XP resources.
- Telephony
- Function
- Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP-based voice connections.
- Status
- If you don't have a modem attached, or connect to Internet via modem, you may safely disable this service.
- Telnet
- Function
- Enables remote users to log on to Windows XP and run programs, via various TCP/IP Telnet clients
- Status
- There is no obvious reason to enable this service, especially if you don't want remote users access to Windows XP.
- Terminal Services
- Function
- Allows multiple users to connect interactively to a Windows XP.
- Status
- You may safely disable this service, if you don't allow remote users access to Windows XP.
- Themes
- Function
- Provides user experience theme management.
- Status
- If you are using Windows Classic theme, you can safely disable this service to boost Windows XP performance.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply
- Function
- Manages uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the Windows XP.
- Status
- No reason to turn on this services, if there is no UPS attached to Windows XP.
- Universal Plug and Play Device Host
- Function
- Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.
- Status
- If you disable SSDP Discovery service, you may safely disable this service as well.
- Volume Shadow Copy
- Function
- Manages and implements volume shadow copies used for backup and other purposes.
- Status
- You may safely disable this service, if you don't rely on Windows Backup.
- WebClient
- Function
- Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files.
- Status
- This service can be safely disabled, if there is no such need.
- Windows Audio
- Function
- Manages audio devices for Windows-based programs.
- Status
- Disable this service, if you don't want your Windows XP to speak at all!
- Windows Image Acquisition
- Function
- Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras.
- Status
- No harm to disable this service, if there is no such need.
- Windows Installer
- Function
- Adds, modifies, and removes applications provided as a Windows Installer (*.msi) package.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time, in order to perform Windows update.
- Windows Management Instrumentation
- Function
- Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services.
- Status
- This service is critical to Windows XP, and should be enabled at all time.
- Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
- Function
- Monitors all drivers and event trace providers that are configured to publish Windows Management Instrumentation or event trace information.
- Status
- This service is not as critical as the Windows Management Instrumentation service, but is worth to enable at all time.
- Windows Time
- Function
- Uses NTP protocol to synchronize Windows XP local time with NTP server.
- Status
- Enable this service, if you want to synchronize Windows XP time with a NTP server.
- Wireless Zero Configuration
- Function
- Automatically configured WIFI (802.11) network adapters.
- Status
- This service should be enabled on laptop that supports WIFI connection.
- WMI Performance Adapter
- Function
- Provides performance library information from Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) providers to clients on the network.
- Status
- This service should be enabled at all time.
- Workstation
- Function
- Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers.
- Status
- This service should be enabled, when running Windows XP on a network environment.
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