DISABLE UNNEEDED SERVICES IN VISTA

A service is a software application that runs continuously in the background while your computer is on. The Windows operating system has numerous services that run in the background that provide basic functions to the system. Network connectivity, visual support, and external device connectivity such as printer services are all examples of the types of services that the Windows services provide. Each service that is running in the background takes up system resources, such as memory and CPU time. Also, during the booting of the operating system, the service has to be loaded. On most computers, there are nearly 20 services that are loaded upon startup. Of these 20 services, only a handful are system-critical services; all the others can be disabled.
To disable a service, you first need to know more about what the services in Windows Vista do. Table 2 will help you understand what the most common services are, what they do, and whether they can be disabled. The services marked in bold are started by default in Windows Vista.


Table 2: Common Windows Services in Use

Name Use

Net Runtime Optimization v2.0 Increases the performance of applications written in the .Net 2.0 Framework. It is run only when needed.

Application Experience Provides a compatibility cache for older applications that cache requests when they are run. This service can be disabled, but I recommend leaving it started for application compatibility with the new architecture of Windows Vista.

Application Information Allows you to run applications with all administrative rights. Keep this service running.

Application Layer Gateway Provides support for additional protocols for the Internet Connection Sharing service. This service can be safely disabled.

Application Management Used for software deployment and management through Group Policy. If you do not use Group Policy for software, you can safely disable this service.

Background Intelligent Transfer Transfers data in the background when the connection is not in use. One use of this service is to download updates automatically in the background. This service is not system critical but can impair other services such as Windows Update if it is disabled.

Base Filtering Engine Provides support for the firewall, IPsec, and filtering. I recommend keeping this service running.

Block Level Backup Engine Provides support for data block–level backups.

Bluetooth Support Provides support for Bluetooth wireless devices. Disable this service if you do not use Bluetooth devices with your computer.

Certificate Propagation Utilizes certificates from smart cards. Most users have no use for this service.

CNG Key Isolation Isolates cryptographic operations to protect the cryptographic key. I recommending leaving this service as is because it runs only when needed.

COM+ Event System Provides event notification to COM objects. Some applications depend on this service. I recommend experimenting with your applications to see whether you can disable it.

COM+ System Application Used to configure and monitor COM object components. Leave as manual because it is started only when needed.

Computer Browser Responsible for keeping the list of computers on your network and updating the list. If you have no need for this information, you can safely disable it if started.

Cryptographic Services The main provider of all encryption and encryption operations for all types of applications. It manages private keys, certificates, and other encryption operations. I recommend leaving this service running.

DCOM Server Process Launcher Starts DCOM processes. Several other system-critical services use this service to start, so I do not recommend disabling it.

Desktop Windows Session Manager This service is behind the new Windows Vista "glass" look and enhanced desktop features. If your hardware does not support the new "glass" look, I suggest disabling this service.

DFS Replication In charge of file replication as part of the Distributed File System framework. If you use offline file replication, do not disable this service.

DHCP Client Provides automatic network address configuration. If you set a static IP address, gateway, and DNS servers, disable this service.

Diagnostic Policy Provides automatic problem monitoring and troubleshooting of components. If this service is disabled, automatic diagnostics and searching for resolutions will be stopped. If you are an advanced user, you might be able to get away with disabling this service.

Diagnostic Service Host Diagnostic Policy service helper service that is run only when necessary.

Diagnostic System Host Diagnostic Policy service helper service that is run only when necessary.

Distributed Link Tracking Client Used with NTFS file links across networks. If you have no need for this service, and not many do, you can safely disable it.

Distributed Transaction Coordinator Provides support for managing transactions generated by applications. Some applications use this service, but it is not running unless it is in use.

DNS Client Provides the computer the ability to resolve a DNS address such as www.TweakVista.com to an IP address as needed by web browsers and other Internet tools. Unless your computer is not connected to the Internet or any other type of network, you should keep this service enabled.

EapHost The Extensible Authentication Protocol Host provides authentication support to the Wired AutoConfig and WLAN AutoConfig services. Unless you use all manual network configurations, leave this service enabled.

Fax Provides support to send and receive faxes. No need for faxes? Disable this service.

Function Discovery Provider Host Hosts other services that search the network for other devices such as the Media Center Extender service. If you have no need for these services, disable this service.

Function Discovery Resource Publication Allows this computer and devices connected to it to be published over the network so that other computers on your LAN can share them.

Group Policy Client Responsible for applying local and domain-based group policy settings and restrictions. This service cannot be disabled in Windows Vista.

Health Key and Certificate Management Manages the keys used by Network Access Protection. Disable this if your network is not using any sort of authentication-based access.

IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules Manages the keys used by IP Security (IPsec) network access. Disable this if your network is not using any sort of authenticationbased network access.

Interactive Services Detection Provides notification and access to interactive dialog boxes. Do not disable this service.

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) When started, this service allows you to share your Internet connection among other computers with Network Address Translation (NAT).

IP Helper Provides IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) connectivity over an IPv4 network. Disable this service if you have no use for IPv6 network connections.

KtmRM for Distributed Transaction Coordinator This is a helper service that aids in the communication between the Distributed Transaction Coordinator and the Kernel Transaction Manager.

Link-Layer Topology Discover Mapper Provides a generated network map of all computers and other connected devices.

Media Center Extender Allows Media Center Extender hardware and software devices, such as an Xbox 360, to connect to your computer and share the Media Center features if installed. Disable this service if you have no use for this scenario.

Media Center Receiver Provides the Media Center application with TV and radio reception.

Media Center Scheduler Provides the Media Center application with notification of when to start and stop recording an application.

Media Center Service Launcher Launches the Media Center Receiver and Scheduler service when the Media Center application is started. All the Media Center services remain disabled when the Media Center application is stopped.

Microsoft Digital Identity Provides Windows with the ability to manage digital user identity cards.

Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Manages connections to iSCSI-connected network devices.

Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider Provides Shadow Copy file operations when needed by applications such as Explorer.

Multimedia Class Scheduler Helps multimedia applications by prioritizing CPU loads of various system-wide processes and tasks.

Net. Tcp Port Sharing Allows Windows to share TCP ports over the network. This service is disabled by default in Windows Vista.

Netlogon Responsible for the connection between the domain controller and your computer if your computer is on a domain. Disable this service if your computer is not on a domain.

Network Access Protection Agent Primary service for supporting the NAP (Network Access Protection) services.

Network connections Provides the user with the graphics interface to manage all network connections. If this service is disabled, Network & Sharing Center will not work. I recommend against disabling this service.

Network List Manages a list of networks the computer has connected to and their individual settings and properties.

Network Location Awareness Manages a list of networks the computer has connected to and their individual settings and properties.

Network Store Interface Provides notification of network interface changes. This service is critical to network operation but can be disabled if you do not use a network.

Offline Files Provides file operations for the offline files feature of Windows Explorer. Feel free to disable this service if you do not use this feature.

Parental Controls Provides parental rating controls on games, software. and other aspects of Windows Vista. Disabling this will shut down any parental controls.

Peer Name Resolution Protocol Allows your computer to resolve names using peer-to-peer connections. This is required by applications such as Windows Collaboration.

Peer Networking Grouping Provides peer-to-peer networking services. Depends on the Peer Name Resolution Protocol service.

Peer Networking Identify Manager Provides peer-to-peer identification services for application and Windows peer-to-peer applications. This service also depends on the Peer Name Resolution Protocol.

Performance Logs & Alerts Collects performance data for use in Windows Diagnostics and other troubleshooting utilities.

Plug and Play Allows the computer to automatically detect and configure computer hardware. Several other services depend on this service to be running to operate.

PNP-x IP Bus Enumerator Detects devices on the virtual network bus. It runs only when the service is needed.

PNRP Machine Name Publication Broadcasts the computer name using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol.

Policy Agent Responsible for enforcing IPsec policies. You can safely disable this service if your network does not require IPsec

Portable Device Enumerator Provides support for portable storage devices, such as USB devices and MP3 players, to communicate with other Windows components such as Windows Media Player. You can safely disable this service if you do not use any such devices.

Print Spooler Allows you to save your print services to memory to allow for faster printing within your Windows applications. This service can be disabled but may impair printing in some situations.

Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support Provides support in the Control Panel to view and delete problem reports generated by the Diagnostic services.

Program Compatibility Assistant Aids in application compatibility. When this service is disabled, you can no longer run applications properly in Compatibility mode. This service is not system critical.

Protected Storage Provides secure storage support to protect data.

Quality Windows Audio Video Experience Provides support for audio and video streaming over home networks with traffic prioritization. This service runs only when it is needed by an application.

ReadyBoost Allows you to use USB storage devices to increase the performance of your computer. If you do not want to use this feature of Windows Vista, you can safely disable it.

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager Automates the creation of connections when applications attempt to access remote computers.

Remote Access Connection Manager Provides support for modem dial-up connections and VPN connections made through the Windows Networking features.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Responsible for communication between COM components. It is not system critical but is used by dozens of other Windows services. I do not recommend disabling this one.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator A helper service for the Remote Procedure Call service that manages connections and lookup of components in its database.

Remote Registry Provides remote access to your computer's registry when running. It is safe to disable this service.

Routing and Remote Access Provides network traffic routing to incoming and outgoing traffic. This service is disabled by default.

Secondary Logon Allows you to run applications using a different account. This is often used when it is necessary to start a program with an administrator account. I recommend leaving this service running.

Security Accounts Manager Acts as a database of account information that is used for authentication and validation. This is a system-critical service that should not be disabled.

Security Center Monitors of all your security applications such as antivirus and malware protection. This service is also responsible for notification messages that can drive advanced Windows users crazy. Feel free to disable this service.

Server Allows you to share files, printers and other devices over your network. This is not a system-critical service but is often useful in a home network environment and in the enterprise.

SL UI Notification Software Licensing and Activation service. This service is run only when needed.

Smart Card Keeps track of smart cards that your computer has used.

Smart Card Removal Policy Provides the ability to monitor your smart card and lock your computer when your smart card is removed.

SNMP Trap Processes messages received by the Simple Network Management Protocol.

Software Licensing Provides support for the digital licenses for software that are downloaded. The SL UI Notification service depends on this and on ReadyBoost.

SSDP Discovery Looks on your network using the SSDP protocol to detect other compatible networked devices such as game consoles and extender devices. This service can be disabled but will affect Media Center Extenders in addition to other PnP network devices.

Superfetch Provides caching of application information to speed up application loading. This service can be disabled, but its benefits outweigh the initial performance decrease of loading the service.

System Event Notification Monitors system events and reports back to other COM components.

Tablet PC Input Provides software support for Tablet PC's pen device and the use of ink in Windows applications. Disable this service if it is running and you do not have a Tablet PC.

Task Scheduler Allows you to schedule processes to run at specified intervals. Windows Vista uses this service for all background maintenance, which will stop if this service is disabled. I do not recommend disabling this service.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Provides NetBIOS protocol support over a TCP/IP connection. This is primarily used for machine name resolutions over a LAN.

Telephony Provides support for applications to interact with the modem.

Terminal Services Enables you to remotely connect to your computer using a remote desktop connection. If you do not use this feature, this can be safely disabled. However, disabling this will also disable any Media Center Extender devices you may have.

Terminal Services Configuration A helper service for Terminal Services that is run only when needed.

Terminal Service UserMode Port Redirector Another helper for the Terminal Services service. It provides the ability to share files, printers, and the Clipboard between the remote computers. Like the other helper service, this service is run only when needed.

Themes Provides support for visual styles that enable the non-classic Windows look. Disabling this service will result in the entire interface reverting to the classic Windows look.

Thread Ordering Server Provides thread management and prioritization for Windows applications and components. Disabling this service may break applications and will also disable the Windows Audio service.

TPM Base Services Provides access to the Trusted Platform Module used to store encryption keys and other important authentication information. It is run only when needed and is not available on computers that do not have a TPM chip.

UPnP Device Host Provides the ability to host UPnP devices on your computer for use on your local network. This service is required for Windows Media Player library sharing.

User Profile This is a system-critical service that loads your user profile when you sign on.

Virtual Disk Responsible for managing your drives and file systems. Do not disable this service; it is required for many operating system requests. In addition, it does not run when it is not needed.

Volume Shadow Copy Provides support for Shadow Copy hard drive data used by backup applications.

WebClient Provides support for the WebDAV protocol for accessing remote servers over the Internet through Explorer. If you have no need for this protocol, this service can be safely disabled.

Windows Audio Provides audio to Windows Vista. I do not recommend disabling this unless you do not like audio. But who doesn't like audio?

Windows Audio Endpoint Builder A helper service for Windows Audio that manages the various audio-related hardware in your computer.

Windows Backup Part of the Backup application in Windows Vista that allows you to easily back up your documents and other important data.

Windows Color System Allows other applications to configure your monitor color settings in Windows Vista.

Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar Part of the Windows Connect Now feature that lets you automate the addition of other computers on your wireless network by saving the configuration of one machine to a USB flash drive and then using it to set up new PCs.

Windows Defender The new spyware protection application in Windows Vista. If you have a different anti-spyware utility that you use, feel free to disable this service.

Windows Driver Foundation Supports drivers in the User mode.

Windows Error Reporting When things go bad, this service lets you check with Microsoft to see whether it has a solution for you and to notify Microsoft of what is happening to your computer. Don't feel like notifying Microsoft about your error messages? This service can be safely disabled.

Window Event Collector Provides the ability to subscribe to remote event sources to monitor activity and store the data.

Windows Event Log This is the primary source of all local event management and collection. This service can be stopped but is used by a lot of the performance enhancements in Windows Vista so stopping it would result in a negative performance benefit.

Windows Firewall Provides network security by blocking inbound and outbound network access based on the firewall rules applied. Unless you have a third-party firewall application that you use, do not disable this service; the benefits outweigh any performance decrease.

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Provides an interface used by applications to work with various types of scanners and cameras. This service is run only when needed.

Windows Installer Allows applications packaged into MSI files to be installed and uninstalled from your computer. Do not disable this service unless you do not want any software to be installed, uninstalled, or modified.

Windows Management Instrumentation Provides an interface for scripts and other applications to control various components of Windows Vista. Disabling this service will result in the Internet Connection Sharing, IP Helper, and Security Center services stopping, too. If you do not use these services, feel free to safely disable this service.

Windows Media Player Network Sharing Provides the ability to share your music collection with other computers running Windows Media Player. This service requires the UPnP Device Host service to be running to function.

Windows Modules Installer Allows Windows components and security updates to be installed and uninstalled.

Windows Presentation Foundation Font Cache Similar to the .Net Optimization service in that it is designed to increase the performance of Windows Presentation Foundation applications.

Windows Search Provides the ability to index your various files on your computer. This service can be disabled, but it will slow down any searches in your computer because the entire drive must be searched every time instead of just the index.

Windows Time Responsible for syncing up the time on your computer. It can be safely disabled.

Windows Update Provides the ability to detect and download new updates for your copy of Windows Vista. Disabling this service will stop both automatic updates and the ability to manually update Windows. Because security patches and automatic updates have been so critical to Windows in the past, I suggest keeping this service started.

WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Provides an API for applications both to make HTTP connections and to auto-detect connection settings. This service is not system critical and can safely be disabled if you do not use the auto-detect connection feature in Internet Explorer and none of your applications use its API.

Wired AutoConfig Manages your wired NIC connections, including support for 802.1X authentication. The Network and Sharing Center in Windows Vista may malfunction if this service is disabled. This service can be disabled if you do not use the Network and Sharing Center.

WLAN AutoConfig Manages your wireless network connections and settings. The Networking Center in Windows Vista may malfunction if this service is disabled. This service can be disabled if you do not use the Network and Sharing Center.

WMI Performance Adapter A helper service for the Windows Management Instrumentation service that runs only when requested.

Workstation Provides support for creating network connections using the SMB network protocol (a.k.a. Lanman). Disabling this service disables Windows File Sharing.



Disabling services with the Services utility
Now that you have an understanding of the dozens of services in Windows Vista, you can start disabling the services that are not needed for your computer usage and that are slowing down your computer boot process. To do this, you will use the Services utility that enables you to start, stop, and configure Windows Vista services.

Tip: Before you begin changing your service setup, set a system restore point to easily restore your system to an earlier configuration. However, be careful when you restore from restore points. Any applications or files that were created after the system restore point will be deleted when reverting back to an earlier restore point.

The Services utility is included in all versions of Windows Vista, but is hidden away. Disabling a service with the Services utility is easy. Just complete the following steps:



Click the Start button, type services.msc in the Search box, and press Enter. This will start the Services utility, as shown in Figure 7.
When the Services utility has loaded, you will see a list of all the services available on your computer and which ones are started. Before you can disable a service from starting up, it is best to stop it first. Scroll through the list of services until you find the name of the one you want to disable. Right-click the service name and select Stop.

FIGURE 7: The Services utility


When the service is stopped, right-click the service again and select Properties. On the General tab, look for the Startup Type drop-down box. Click the arrow on the drop-down box and select Disabled.
Click OK. From now on, the system will not start the service any more during boot, which should speed up your system start.
Bare-Bones Service Configuration
To get the maximum performance out of your system, you have the option of disabling all the services on your computer that are not critical to the system. This will take away a lot of the nice features and conveniences of Windows, but you would have a much faster machine. The following is a list of all services that started by default in Windows Vista and can be safely disabled:
Application Experience Program Compatibility Assistant
Application Information ReadyBoost
Background Intelligent Transfer Routing and Remote Access
Base Filtering Engine Security Center
Bluetooth Support Server
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager SSDP Discovery
DHCP Client Superfetch
Diagnostic Policy Tablet PC Input (if you do not have a Tablet PC)
Diagnostic System Host TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Distributed Link Tracking Client Terminal Services
EAPHost Themes
Function Discover Provider Host WebClient
Group Policy Client Windows Audio
IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
Modules Windows Defender
IP Helper (if you are not connected to an IPv6 network) Windows Error Reporting Service
Multimedia Class Windows Firewall
Network Connections Windows Management
Network List Instrumentation
Network Location Awareness Windows Search
Offline Files Windows Time
Policy Agent Windows Update
Portable Device Enumerator WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery
Workstation


Recommended service configuration
The barebones system service setup is great for optimal performance, but you are eliminating a lot of the cool new features that make Windows Vista new and cool. Check out my list of recommended services to disable:

Bluetooth Support IP Helper (if you are not on an IPv6 network)
DHCP Client (assign yourself a static IP address) Offline Files
Diagnostic Policy Policy Agent
Diagnostic System Host Routing and Remote Access
Distributed Link Tracking Client SSDP Discovery
EAPHost Tablet PC Input
Function Discovery Provider Host WebClient
Group Policy Client Windows Search
IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery


Disabling these least commonly used services provides a good balance between saving boot time while keeping the cool new Windows Vista features and application compatibility.

Saving boot time is unimportant to me as my system is up and running almost always 24/7. However, historically for me tweaking of the boot process has recovered very little of my life lost.

I was wondering after going through the disabling how much time/resource did you recover? I ask as the response would be used to balance out any referral I would give to a user if I am ever asked about this issue.

DA

DA I bought a HP back in June and I had nothing but headache after head ache with it, While calling HP on tech support and spending several hours at a time with them, I found out you can go into Misconfig/Start and disable everything in there and it will load like magic. But I also discovered I didnt have antivirus loaded and several other things that are needed on that vista, So I had to go back in there and put checks by the things I wonted and needed at startup to be safe.

Well any way They finally sent me a new machine after I send that thing to them 2 different times and they couldnt even fix it, The last time it came back it was in Spanish and that was the straw that broke the camels back

I told them plain I wasnt send it back but one more time and they could keep that heap of junk so they had another guy call me and he sent me a shipping label and a box to send it back and he sent me the one I am using now, I got it the day before Thanksgiven and I havent had the first problem with this one,

Jane Old Friend,

Sorry about your negative experience with the first HP. I have no answer for you on that one.

On the second one I have to tell you I am laughing. Though I can see how it could happen, I have never heard of it happening. It could only happen to you.

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't there a difference between services and tasks? The tasks being executables which are controlled by the manager at startup and the services being dlls and such that were added by software installation to allow the OS and executables to operate in the startup. Similar but different.

I guess I am a little uncomfortable with a carte blanche offering to users to disable services. First, all users have to remember what they did so if the time ever comes that a service is needed they can enable it. Second, I am concerned about newbies disabling services in what should be a high-powered system containing Vista. Third, I just don't know how much there is to gain. Seconds perhaps?

DA

By the way it was all of 29 here today.

Well I need to see snow pictures DA Would you believe that Bob still has that little snow I posted one time on the old Virtual mirror ( ThatHomesite) and he is still laughing over it

and it is very unwise for a newbie to remove things in startup or any where else as a matter of fact, Cause they can get system crashes and everything else,

You have to be very carefull when suggesting lots of things to some one with little experience on any machine but Vista is the baby of all babies if you ask me,
The old 98's were a whiz to work and the ME and XP werent to bad either but Billy threw a monkey wrench in the wheel on Vista.

That is a book Jeanette posted above and no way could I even try much of that any way. I am going to leave well enough a long and tag alone on here.

It is supposed to be in the upper teens or low 20's here Wed night but no snow as usual

WELL I AM FAR FROM A NEWBIE" I DISABLED SERVICES IN XP THAT WERE NOT NEEDED BY ME AND I HAVE DISABLED ABOUT 10 UNNEEDED SERVICES IN MY VISTA. IF YOU THINK THIS THREAD IS A THREAT TO ANYONE, ONE F YOU CAN REMOVE IT.

it is a good thread Jeanette but lost me just about from the start, After that HP mess up I had I will be very carefull for a long time to come.
DA was talking about suggesting things to newbies that can mess them up, He is a member of different forums that do help people fix and learn how to use their machines and many are newbies so I undertsood his part, I use to do that myself for a long time, Now I am learning again

Thank you Jane I couldn't have said it better.

Hollaring gives me a headache.

DA

Da, hi - and welcome once again.

I tend to agree with you on whether there's a need to disable much. There are good reasons to, as in when a particular service or task might be causing large memory leaks and such, but on the whole with today's modern computers with their large memory capacity, large drives and huge power - it often doesn't make a noticeable difference.

Older computers? Yes it can make quite a difference, especially if I was still running Win98 with it's horrible memory allocation system.

There's certainly a need to be careful what's disabled. In researching such, I find the Answers That Work site, with it's Task List and Drivers List to be an excellent resource. Those guys do their homework and know what they're talking about. I use their TUT program and find it to be just about all I need to find out what's going on in my machine.

I will check that site out and bookmark it Morris, thanks for the link,

MY INFORMATION CAME FROM A GOOD SOURCE AS WELL MORRIS. I TRUST EXTEMETECH.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1786006,00.asp

Yes, Extremetech are also an excellent resource, Jeanette. No argument there..

Before this issue becomes people divided, there is nothing wrong with the original post.

However, I am of the position that every post which delves into the inner workings of a system deeper than a general thought should be disclaimed. By this I mean users should be alerted it is not for the less than capable user; i.e. newbie, or any user short of experience with the issue at hand. I for one wouldn't give advice or opinion on registry resolutions, BIOS tweaks, O/S service or task deletions to name a few without the courtesy of a warning to those who may not be capable.

We all know as forum members that there are more lurkers than participants, and without question there are some members who are short skilled. If it is the norm here to post information so that readers "step in puddles when they are not advised that it is raining" so be it. However, I can assure all that I will continue to disclaim my posts as needed so as not to detract from a user's system enjoyment.

On an older system where a user is trying to stretch the last bit of resources to avoid the expense of a new system, amending services/tasks is a viable option. If a user is a gamer and wants all resources available for gaming amending the same is not a bad idea either. To assist in diagnosing a concern it would be a step. However, for the general user with a mid-to-top end XP or Vista system I see no need. To reap ten seconds gain in startup isn't a goal in my eyes.

Morris,

Thank you for the kind welcome. I am familiar with and previously recommended/used Answers That Work. I also recommend/use PacsPortal as a gateway to Sysinfo.org.

DA

Exactly what I tried to say DA to clear up any misunderstanding.
Thanks for clearing it up once and for all. Now we can get down to some serious business