=Disabling Unecessary Services=
*The ff tweak will decrease WinXP's loading
time since there will be less number of services to load at boot-up. Coupled with my previous WinXP tip of decreasing boot-up
speed (by removing unecessary start-up progs), ur boot-up time should be noticeably faster after applying/following the tweaks
below. Take note that the ff services are IMO safe to disable (or set to manual) on "most" systems. Services that has a possibility
of causing probs with softwares/cause errors, or are already using the proper default settings are no longer mentioned
here. But of course, due to the vast number of configuration on diff systems, there is still no guarantee
that the ff recommended settings will not cause ur system any probs. So pls. TWEAK AT YOUR OWN
RISK!
Go to Start > Run > then type in "services.msc" (w/o the quotation marks).
You will be then given the list of available services. Double clicking on one of them will pop-up a window. Just head on to
the "Startup type" slide-down menu, and pick the right setting depending on my recommended setting/s below:
Adobe LM Service:
This is an Adobe Photoshop CS service that is said to act more
like a spyware than a registering service. It cannot be totally disabled, so I recommend setting this on manual instead (if
not already).
Automatic Updates:
I recommend that u "Disable" this service and just head on to MS's website
for manual updating of ur OS. But if u don't have any firewall and/or antivirus prog installed, then leave it enabled for
better system security.
**Setting this to Manual will still render the service un-operable (unless manually
started)
CachemanXP:
This is CachemanXP's service that loads the program at system
start-up. Unless u want the program to run at start-up, I recommend that u set this service to "Manual" (if not already).
Computer Browser:
If ur system is not connected on a network then I recommend that u "Manual" this
service. Otherwise leave it on its default setting. I'm not quite sure what it does on a network connected system but from
what I heard, even if ur system is connected on a network, u can still disable this setting and experience no probs at all.
DHCP Client:
This service is the one who receives IP address from ur DHCP client. Dial-up users
probably do not need this service running, but to be safe I recommend setting it on "Manual". It will not start by default
on the said setting but will probably start automatically when called for. If u experience problems running it on manual then
just set it back to "Automatic". DSL/Cable users may also try setting it on "Manual".
Diskeeper:
This is Diskeeper's service that enables u to run its scheduled tasks (set and forget
and Boot-time defragmentation). I see no reason why this service needs to be running everytime Windows starts, so I recommend
setting it on "Manual" than disabled. The said setting will still enable u to use the scheduled features of Diskeeper while
saving memory as well ('coz the service will no longer load at start-up).
Distributed Link Tracking Client:
Another network related service that allows other computers to update its shortcut
link/s when one of the computers connected to it moves a file to another location. If ur system is not connected on a network,
then u can safely "Disable" this service. But if u have a networked system and wants to save memory without the risk of having
compatibility probs, setting this to "Manual" is a better idea.
DNS Client:
Not quite sure what this is for, I have mine set to "Manual" and it no longer loads
at start-up. No probs whatsoever. Other sites says its for DNS lookups, I don't think this service is required for normal
system operation though.
Epson Printer Status Agent:
Scans ur system for the presence of Parallel port and its setting.
If ur Epson printer is connected via USB then u can safely "Disable" this service.
Error Reporting Service:
As the name implies, this service will gives u the option of reporting errors to
MS everytime u experience one. I recommend that u "Disable" this option unless u want to report the errors u encounter to
MS.
Fast User Switching Compatibility:
If u only have one account on ur WinXP system, then "Disable" the said setting.
Help and Support:
Enables MS help service. Setting this to "Disabled" will disable online and offline
help services, but when u manually open the help feature, this service will set itself back to "Automatic" again. I currently
have mine set at "Manual".
Indexing Service:
I only recommend that u leave this setting enabled if u search for files frequently
w/ your system (who does that anyway?). Otherwise, I recommend that u "Disable" this service.
Internet Connection Firewall / Internet Connection Sharing:
Allows computers connected on a network to share a single internet account and firewall.
If u have a standalone system or doesn't share internet account / firewall on multiple comps, then I recommend "Disabling"
this service.
IPSEC services:
System's that require or use VPN connection will probably need this service. Otherwise,
I recommend that u set this service on "Manual" juz to be safe (it's not going to start the service automatically anyway).
Logical Disk Manager:
This service is needed if u want to run/use the Disk Management MMC console. I recommend
setting this to "Manual" to prevent the service from starting up at system start-up. If probs when using the MMC console occurs,
revert back to the default "Automatic" setting.
Messenger:
Has something to do with transferring of msgs between servers and its clients nor
is it MSN Messenger. A typical home pc will probably have no need for this service, so I recommend that u "Disable" this setting.
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider:
Used by "MS Backup" when performing a backup of programs that r currently running.
If u do not use "MS Backup" u could probably get away with a "Disabled" setting. Otherwise, set this to "Manual" to be safe.
Same setting is recommended on the "Volume Shadow Copy" service.
Net Logon:
A system that is a member of a domain needs this service, otherwise (systems not
connected on a network, or home network connected systems) this setting can be safely "Disabled".
NVIDIA Driver Helper Service:
(Only applies for folks with NVIDIA videocards) There's really no need
for this service to run on background all the time. I recommend that u "Disable" this service.
Portable Media Serial Number:
Has something to do with Media Player's copy protection feature and Portable player's
serial number collection. Since I do not have any portable digital player that connects on my pc, I have this setting "Disabled".
But if u do, then u probably need the said service (but u may get away with a "Manual" setting rather than using automatic).
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager:
If u do not have any plan of using the Remote Assistance feature of Windows, then
u may "Disable" this feature. I have mine set at default though (Manual), for those "juz in case" scenarios.
Remote Registry Service:
Just like the Remote Desktop Help service, I recommend u "Disable" this option unless
u use the said feature/service. Or also set it to "Manual" for those "juz in case" scenarios.
Routing and Remote Access:
I am not quite sure what this service is for, I have mine "Disabled" and I'm not
experiencing any probs. (I'm a dial-up/stand-alone PC user)
Secondary Logon:
Gives a Limited User account more options when using the OS. If u only have one
account or only have administrator priviledges on all accounts, then I recommend that u "Disable" this service.
Server:
This enables file and print sharing when connected on a network. If u do not need
this feature or ur system is not connected on a network, "Disable" the said service.
Smart Card and Smart Card Helper:
A network authentication feature. Again ... if u only have a standalone system or
do not have a clue what a "Smart Card" is, then "Disable" this service.
SSDP Discovery Service:
Used to detect UPnP devices over a network. Take note that PnP and UPnP are not
the same. I don't have a clue as to what hardware/peripheral is labeled as UPnP, b'coz of that I "Disabled" this on my system.
And u should too, unless u have a hardware/peripheral that is labeled UPnP (whatever that is!).
System Event Notification:
Has something to do with notifying progs / services when event/s occurs. I do not
see any reason to keep this service running. I doubt that any progs will have any probs when this service is "Disabled". But
if probs do occur, switch it back to its default setting.
System Restore Service:
Same with my previous recommended setting (on my Win98/XP guide), I recommend that
u "Disable" this setting. Unless u want to use the feature of course.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service:
Said to provide support for NetBIOS w/c is often times no longer used today by servers
/ networks. I recommend that u "Disable" this service or set it to "Manual".
Terminal Services:
If u do not have any intentions of using the Remote Desktop
Server/Assistance features, then u may "Disable" this service to prevent it from starting up. Fast User Switching needs this
service to function as well.
Themes:
If u do not care about WinXP's eye candy and is quite desperate
for performance or RAM, then I recommend that u "Disable" this service.
Uninterruptible Power Supply:
Even though I have a UPS, it's not connected on my comp, so there's really no need
for me to enable this feature. But if u do, then leave it a its default setting.
Upload Manager:
This will enable MS to detect ur current driver for ur devices and check whether
or not they have newer and/or available drivers for ur system (when updating using MS Update). I do not dl drivers inside
MS update since most of them are outdated. I recommend that u "Disable" this feature and search for newer drivers manually
via ur hardware's respective websites.
WebClient:
Said to be used by some MS Software's features to function. I myself have no idea
what MS software 'requires' this service so I have set mine to "Manual" juz to prevent the service from running automatically.
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Used by image devices such as digicams, webcams, scanners etc. If the service loads
up automatically on ur system and u don't have any of the devices I mentioned, u can try and set it to "Manual" to prevent
the service from loading. I don't recommend disabling it though to prevent future probs when upgrading.
Windows Time:
I recommend "Disabling" this option unless u want to synchronise ur time with MS's
clock server.
Wireless Zero Configuration:
If u do not have any wireless network devices, "Disable" this option.
Workstation:
Yet another networking service that stand-alone systems can live without.
*Whew! Now u probably know why WinXP's OS itself eats so much
RAM / resources huh? ahehe!
