Windows XP 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: Show all services Show Recommended Changes Show Trimmed Changes

Service	Default	Recommended	Trimmed
Alerter	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
Application Layer Gateway	Manual	Manual (Care)	Disabled *(Trim)
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
COM+ System Application	Manual	Manual	Manual
Cryptographic Services	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
DCOM Server Process Launcher	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
DHCP Client	Automatic	Automatic (Net)	Disabled *(Trim)
Distributed Link Tracking Client	Automatic	Disabled *(Trim)	Disabled *(Trim)
Distributed Transaction Coordinator	Manual	Manual	Manual
DNS Client	Automatic	Automatic (Net)	Disabled *(Trim)
Error Reporting Service	Automatic	Disabled *(Trim)	Disabled *(Trim)
Event Log	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Extensible Authentication Protocol	Manual	Manual	Manual
Fast User Switching Compatibility	Manual	Disabled *(Trim)	Disabled *(Trim)
Fax Service	Manual	Manual	Manual
Health Key and Certificate Management	Manual	Manual	Manual
Help and Support	Automatic	Automatic (Care)	Disabled *(Trim)
HTTP SSL	Manual	Manual	Manual
Human Interface Device Access	Manual	Manual	Disabled *(Trim)
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service	Manual	Manual	Disabled *(Trim)
Indexing Service	Manual	Disabled *(Trim)	Disabled *(Trim)
IPSEC Services	Automatic	Manual *(Trim)	Manual *(Trim)
Logical Disk Manager	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service	Manual	Manual	Manual
Messenger	Automatic	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider	Manual	Manual	Manual
NET Logon	Manual	Manual	Manual
Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
Network Access Protection Agent	Manual	Manual	Manual
Network Connections	Manual	Manual	Manual
Network DDE	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
Network DDE DSDM	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
Network Location Awareness	Manual	Manual	Manual
Network Provisioning Service	Manual	Manual	Manual
NT LM Security Support Provider	Manual	Manual	Manual
Performance Logs and Alerts	Manual	Manual	Manual
Plug and Play	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Portable Media Serial Number Service	Manual	Manual	Manual
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 Desktop Help Session Manager	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
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	Manual	Manual	Manual
Routing and Remote Access	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
Secondary Logon	Automatic	Manual *(Trim)	Manual *(Trim)
Security Accounts Manager	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Security Center	Automatic	Automatic (Care)	Disabled *(Trim)
Server	Automatic	Automatic (Net)	Disabled *(Trim)
Shell Hardware Detection	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *(Trim)
Smart Card	Manual	Manual	Manual
Smart Card Helper	Manual	Manual	Manual
SSDP Discovery Service	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
System Event Notification	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
System Restore Service	Automatic	Automatic (Care)	Disabled *(Trim)
Task Scheduler	Automatic	Automatic (Care)	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)
Themes	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *(Trim)
Uninterruptible Power Supply	Manual	Manual	Manual
Upload Manager	Manual	Manual	Manual
Universal Plug and Play Device Host	Manual	Disabled *(Lock)	Disabled *(Lock)
Volume Shadow Copy	Manual	Manual	Manual
WebClient	Automatic	Disabled *(Trim)	Disabled *(Trim)
Windows Audio	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	Automatic	Automatic (Care)	Disabled *(Trim)
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)	Manual	Manual	Disabled *(Trim)
Windows Installer	Manual	Manual	Manual
Windows Management Instrumentation	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extentions	Manual	Manual	Manual
Windows Time	Automatic	Disabled *(Trim)	Disabled *(Trim)
Wired AutoConfig	Manual	Manual	Manual
Wireless Zero Configuration	Automatic	Automatic (Net)	Disabled *(Trim)
WMI Performance Adapter	Manual	Manual	Manual
Workstation	Automatic	Automatic (Net)	Disabled *(Trim)

Other Service Guides:

• Microsoft : Windows XP Default settings for services
• 3DSpotlight : Windows XP Services tweak guide
• Black Viper's Windows XP Services Configurations - Mirror - Debunked
• ElderGeek : Services Guide for Windows XP
• Gene Goldring : Removal Recommendations For Windows XP Services
• XpMania : The BIG XP Services Explanation
• TweakHound.com : Super XP Tweaking Guide for Services
• PCStats.com : Beginners Guides: Understanding and Tweaking WindowsXP Services
• CastleCops.com - List of Windows XP/NT services (Also non-Microsoft)