Windows 2000 Services Guide
Windows 2000 Services Guide
To access the service configuration:
- Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services-snapin.
- Using the registry editor Regedit to change service state.
A service has 3 basic startup states :
- Disabled : The service will not be loaded (Some programs stops working, won’t take memory, and quick boot time)
- Manual : The service will be loaded on demand (Slow program start, will take memory when needed, and quick boot time)
- Automatic : The service is loaded at boot time (Fast program start, will take memory, and slow boot time)
Explanation of recommendations:
- Recommended: For users who prefers things safe and easy
- Trimmed: For users who prefers only to have the most necessary started at the expense of manual maintenance and backup
Comments for recommendations (* = Recommendation divert from “default” state):
- Lock: Increases security by disabling vulnerable features.
- Trim: Lessens CPU/RAM usage on the expense of loosing special features.
- Care: Enables Windows Self Maintenance, so it can take better care of it self.
- DUN (Dial Up Networking): Enables Internet access through a dialup connection like Phone-, ISDN-, Cable- modem (internal or external).
- Net (Network): Enables Internet access and filesharing via the network adapter to a hub, switch, router or another machine. The network is a simple one at home, without Domain Controller, Virtual Private Network or Internet Connection Sharing.
Select recommendation:
| Service | Default | Recommended | Trimmed |
| Alerter | Automatic | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| Application Management | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Automatic Updates | Automatic | Automatic (Care) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Background Intelligent Transfer | Manual | Manual (Care) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Clipbook | Manual | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| Computer Browser | Automatic | Automatic (Net) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| COM+ Event System | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| DHCP Client | Automatic | Automatic (Net) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Distributed File System | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Distributed Link Tracking Client | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Distributed Link Tracking Server | Manual | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Distributed Transaction Coordinator | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| DNS Client | Automatic | Automatic (Net) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Event Log | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Fax Service | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| File Replication | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Indexing Service | Manual | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Internet Connection Sharing | Manual | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Intersite Messaging | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| IPSEC Policy Agent | Automatic | Manual *(Trim) | Manual *(Trim) |
| Keberos Key Distribution Center | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| License Logging Service | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Logical Disk Manager | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Messenger | Automatic | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| NET Logon | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing | Manual | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| Network Connections | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Network DDE | Manual | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| Network DDE DSDM | Manual | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| NT LM Security Support Provider | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Performance Logs and Alerts | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Plug and Play | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Print Spooler | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Protected Storage | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| QoS RSVP | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Remote Access Auto Connection Manager | Manual | Manual (DUN) | Disabled * |
| Remote Access Connection Manager | Manual | Manual (DUN) | Disabled * |
| Remote Procedure Call (RPC) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Remote Registry Service | Automatic | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| Removable Storage | Automatic | Manual *(Trim) | Manual *(Trim) |
| Routing and Remote Access | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| RunAs Service | Automatic | Manual *(Trim) | Manual *(Trim) |
| Security Accounts Manager | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Server | Automatic | Automatic (Net) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Smart Card | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Smart Card Helper | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| System Event Notification | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Task Scheduler | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Telephony | Manual | Manual (DUN) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Telnet | Manual | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| Terminal Services | Manual | Disabled *(Lock) | Disabled *(Lock) |
| Terminal Services Licensing | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Uninterruptible Power Supply | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Utility Manager | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Windows Installer | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Windows Management Instrumentation | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extentions | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Windows Time | Manual | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Wireless Configuration | Manual | Manual (Net) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| WMDM PMSP Service | Automatic | Disabled *(Trim) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Workstation | Automatic | Automatic (Net) | Disabled *(Trim) |
| Human Interface Device Access / HID Input Service | Pending | Pending | Pending |
Other Service Guides:
- Microsoft : Glossary of Windows 2000 Services
- Microsoft : Purpose of Windows 2000 Services
- 3DSpotlight : Windows 2000 Services tweak guide
- WindowsNetworking.com : Disable unnecessary services to improve workstations performance
- Black Viper’s Windows 2000 Professional Services Configurations - Mirror
- Tweak3d.net : Windows 2000 Hard Drive and Memory Tweak Guide