What are the common Windows Services I don't need?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 Mar 2006, 00:50

Sure I don't want to disable a service I actually need so I'll check first but I bet there are common ones virtually no one uses but they're enabled anyway.

For example I've disabled:

* The Windows CD Burning Service - As Windows XP CD Burning support is rubbish
* Netmeeting Remote Desktop - Who uses Netmeeting any more?
* Ntlmsshemwn - I don't have a Scooby doo what this is but it's in my services and always has been, no description. Google is no help.

There must be others I can safely turn off?

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 27 Mar 2006, 01:11

Let's see. What have I disabled ?

(note: I'm guessing the english names as my Windows is 100% french)

-Alerter.
-Automatic Updates. (YOU might wanna leave it on

)
-Application Management.
-Application Layer Gateway (deactivates MSN Messenger if disabled)
-Background Intelligent Transfer (no more WindowsUpdate)
-Clipbook
-Computer Browser (useless service)
-Error Reporting (don't need my Windows to tell me it's bugged)
-Fast user switching
-Help and Support
-Indexing service (unless you've got more than 1 000 000 files on your HD)
-Logical disk manager
-Machine debug manager
-Messenger
-Microsoft Shadow copy thingie
-Netmeeting remote desktop
-Network DDE
-Performance logs (completely useless)
-Portable Serial media number
-Protected Storage
-QoS RSVP
-Remote Desktop Help
-Secondary logon
-System restore (unless you don't like to format your drive)
-Task scheduler (unless you use it)
-Volume Shadow copy

Most of these services can be safely disabled.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 Mar 2006, 16:00

Some great ones there I've not thought of cheers. Don't you like MSN Messenger? Particularly "Help and Support", off the top of my head.

* Why on earth would you want to disable? Automatic Updates

* I've been thinking about this one, it seems like a good idea but doesn't always get it right. I've searched for things before knowing they're there and it's not found them - Indexing service. What do you reckon?

* These two are already disabled, I didn't do it but you're right I don't need them - Alerter & Clipbook

* Already disabled System restore as I use Norton GoBack

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 27 Mar 2006, 16:23

MSN Messenger and Messenger are actually different things. Messenger is a major method of shite getting onto your Windows PC; I think it helps with stopping pop-ups. Not foolproof, but it goes a long way.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 Mar 2006, 16:49

True. It has a legit use if you're on a network. I was talking about: Application Layer Gateway

I've found this really good guide, some of the ones Tom has disabled seem integral to Windows or useful if you have a network, such as:

Application Management Service - Used when you modify an application i.e. Add/Remove.

The Guide: http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 27 Mar 2006, 23:58

* Why on earth would you want to disable? Automatic Updates

Because I don't want Windows to install critical updates whenever it wants.
+ Lots of viruses use this service to infect computers.

Indexing service. What do you reckon?

Indexing is useful if you have a slow hard-drive or if you have too many files.
It will speed things up when you're searching for specific files.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 28 Mar 2006, 01:03

I've also been reading up on ASR (Automated System Recover) which is exclusive to Windows XP Pro.

I first thought it looked like a good idea but fat lot of good a partial restore is. If I were to do this I'd still need to install all the applications again anyway as the Program Files folder isn't backed up.

A registry without the corresponding program files to go with it can't be a good idea. In reality I it would be better to at this point do a clean install anyway:

"Benefits of using ASR

* Designed as a quick Windows re-install
* Timesaver = Entire restore process takes less than 30 minutes.
* Configuration in tact = Desktop and user preference settings will be maintained.
* Redundancy = Provides an additional restore option besides System Restore.
* Registry = Backs up and restores the entire current registry configuration settings.

Drawbacks of using ASR

* Does not restore any installed programs from the program Files folder.
* Does not work on a single partition.

Completing an ASR backup on a regular basis will provide additional control over the outcome of a system failure."

Tom2681 wrote:Because I don't want Windows to install critical updates whenever it wants.
+ Lots of viruses use this service to infect computers.

I didn't know that. What's your source? I believe you but this kind of thing would like some more info.

Indexing is useful if you have a slow hard-drive or if you have too many files.
It will speed things up when you're searching for specific files.

Using that site I linked to above I spent 30-40 reading about each service and have disabled about a dozen.

This being one of them, my hard drive over the last few months is prone to go into spasm whenever it's left doing nothing/nothing much.

This service could very well be it, plus in reality I'd turn it off from time to time as Windows Search wouldn't find files DOS search (dir/s) would find.

I also dislike the idea of seeing what is actually there isn't of an index telling me what is there.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 28 Mar 2006, 01:26

I didn't know that. What's your source?

I know I've read it on www.secuser.com which is a french site about viruses.
Many viruses can enter your computer using this service (although your firewall should be able to stop most of them).

I'll see if I can find an english source somewhere.

my hard drive over the last few months is prone to go into spasm whenever it's left doing nothing/nothing much.

It's either a hidden trojan or the indexing service.