How To Disable Windows XP Professional Services And Which Ones

When you install any Windows it will immediately be running multiple services. A Windows service is an application that starts when Windows is booted and runs in the background as long as Windows is running. It is very similar in concept to a Unix daemon.

In Windows Vista, users can also manipulate services through a simpler interface in MSConfig.

Before you continue with this create a restore point. If something goes wrong this will be the easiest way to return the unit back to the way it was.

Now you will have to launch the Services Utility. To do this click Start -> Run.... Type services.msc and hit Enter.
This will popup your Services Utility.
Double click a service from the list to view it's status.
Under the Startup type you have three options: Automatic, Manual and Disabled. From here, you can disable and enable services that run on your computer.

Below is a complete list of the default System Services.

Alerter
Description: Notifies users of administrative alerts. Not required under normal circumstances.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Application Layer Gateway Service
Description: Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Windows Firewall.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Application Management

Description: Used when you modify an application i.e. Add/Remove.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

ASP.NET State Service
Description: Provides support for out-of-process session states for ASP.NET. If this service is stopped, out-of-process requests will not be processed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic if you use ASP.NET programming

Automatic Updates Service
Description: Enables the download and installation of Windows updates. If this service is disabled, this computer will not be able to use the Automatic Updates feature or the Windows Update Web site.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Description: Service used to transfer asynchronous data via http1.1 servers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

ClipBook
Description: Used to store information (cut/paste) and share it with other computers.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled

COM+ Event System
Description: One of the support files that you'll probably never have any use for, but if you disable it, the warning notices you receive are worse than leaving it enabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

COM+ System Application
Description: Basically, this is the application that controls COM+ Event System. One of the support files that you'll probably never have any use for, but if you disable it, the warning notices you receive are worse than leaving it enabled. Disabling this service will generate Event Log entries noting it isn't running. An annoyance, but not harmful.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Computer Browser
Description: Maintains a listing of computers located on the network. This service is not needed on a standalone system.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Cryptographic Services
Description: Mainly, it confirms signatures of Windows files. You may always get a dialog box complaining about uncertified drivers if this is Disabled. Required for Windows Update to function in manual mode.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Manual

DCOM Server Process Launcher
Description: Provides launch functionality for DCOM services.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

DHCP Client
Description: Receives a Dynamic IP address from your DHCP server. Required for ICS/internet client and also if you run IPSEC, disable on a standalone system or one that has a static IP address.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Distributed Link Tracking Client
Description: Maintains links with NTFS files within your computer or across a domain.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Description: Takes care of transactions that span multiple resources. Required if using Message Queuing.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

DNS Client
Description: Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Error Reporting
Description: Calls home to Microsoft when application errors occurs. A waste of memory and resources.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Event Log
Description: Allows Event Log messages from applications to be viewed in Event Viewer. Always helpful to check out the Event Log to see what problems with applications are popping up that is hidden from the normal user. Windows Management Instrumentation also Requires Event Log Service to be running.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Fast User Switching Compatibility
Description: Unless you have many users on a system (more than 3), you probably do not even need this service to be running.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Help and Support
Description: Required for Microsoft online help documents.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Human Interface Device Access
Description: Used for specific peripherals.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Manual

HTTP SSL
Description: Another added security provision for sites that make use of HTTPS such as banking and e-commerce sites. Set it to Manual and it will kick in when needed.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

IMAPI CD-Burning COM
Description: Used for that drag and drop CD burn capability. You will need this service to burn CD's.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Indexing Service
Description: Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Internet Connection - Firewall (ICF) / Sharing (ICS)
Description: Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic

IPSEC Services
Description: Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver. May be required on some domains, but the average user will not need this.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Logical Disk Manager
Description: Essential to managing and updating the hard drives. Works in conjunction with Disk Management plug-in in Microsoft Management Console.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Logical Disk Manager Administrative
Description: Works in concert with Logical Disk Manager, but can be set to Manual and it will be started and stopped as stated above.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Machine Debug Manager
Description: Manages local and remote debugging for Visual Studio debuggers
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled unless you use a visual studio like VB 6 enterprise or .NET.

Messenger
Description: Sends messages between clients and servers. Not needed under normal home conditions.
This has nothing to do with MSN Messenger.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled

MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
Description: Used in conjunction with the Volume Shadow Copy Service. MS Backup uses these services. You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Net Logon
Description: Domain Authentication, used when you log into the Domain. No domain? No Net Logon needed in spite of the way the name sounds.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Description: Makes it possible for a remote user with NetMeeting to access your computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Network Connections
Description: Basically, it controls the network and your ability to connect to the internet via Dial-Up.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Network DDE
Description: Unless you use remote ClipBook, Disable it.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Network DDE DSDM
Description: Unless you use remote ClipBook, Disable it.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Description: A part of the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) component.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Network Provisioning Service
Description: Manages XML configuration files on a domain basis for automatic network provisioning.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

NT LM Security Support Provider
Description: Not needed unless you are running Message Queuing or Telnet server.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Performance Logs and Alerts
Description: Another way to monitor system performance. If the box and network stats interest you, set this to Manual. If ignorance is bliss, Disabled is the way to go.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Plug and Play
Description: This is the automatic discovery of devices attached to your computer.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Portable Media Serial Number Service
Description: Retrieves serial numbers from portable music players connected to your computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Print Spooler
Description: Queues up print jobs for later printing. This service is Required if you have printers, even if they are network printers.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Protected Storage
Description: Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

QoS RSVP
Description: Provides traffic control on a network using IPSEC and applications that support QoS. The QoS Packet Driver is installed by default on any TCP/IP connections.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Description: Creates a connection to a network when a program requests a remote address.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Remote Access Connection Manager
Description: Creates a network connection. This service is Required if you use Internet Connection Sharing. This service may also be Required for your Internet connection.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Description: Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box. If you're a Remote Desktop user, keep this enabled.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Description: This service is rather Vital. Just about everything depends on this service to be running. This is also the only service that you can not disable via the Services MMC.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
Description: Manages the RPC name service database.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Remote Registry
Description: Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Removable Storage
Description: Used for managing removable media. Disable this service if you do not have items like tape backup devices, etc.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Routing and Remote Access
Description: Allows LAN and WAN dial in access to the computer.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Script Blocking
Description: Script Blocking stops script-based viruses.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Secondary Logon
Description: Enables starting processes under alternate credentials.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Security Accounts Manager
Description: Like Protected Storage, it saves security information for local users. This service is Required for IIS Admin.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled unless needed

Security Center
Description: Monitors system security settings and configurations.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Server
Description: Provides basic file and print services on the LAN.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Shell Hardware Detection
Description: Testing shows that it's related to AutoPlay functionality such as digital cameras, CD ROM's
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Smart Card
Description: Supports the use of a Smart Card for local or network computer authentication. If you do not have a Smart Card, you do not need this service running.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Smart Card Helper
Description: Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

SSDP Discovery Service
Description: Used to locate UPnP devices on your home network. Used in conjunction with Universal Plug and Play Device Host, it detects and configures UPnP devices on your home network.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

System Event Notification
Description: Used in conjunction with COM+ Event System, this service notifies particular services when system events, such as logon and power events occurs. You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

System Restore Service
Description: Allows you to take a snapshot of your system and then roll it back to that particular point in time.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Task Scheduler
Description: This service is used to schedule maintenance, MS Backup sessions or maybe even Auto Update.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Description: Service Legacy support for NetBios over TCP/IP. If your network does not use NetBios, disable this function.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Telephony
Description: Controls telephony devices on the local computer. This service is Required for dial-up modem connectivity.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled, Automatic if you require dial-up connectivity

Terminal Services
Description: Allows remote login to the local computer. This service is Required for Fast User Switching, Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Telnet
Description: Allows remote login to the local computer via the telnet function.
Default Setting: Disabled
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Themes
Description: Provides user experience theme management.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Uninterruptible Power Supply
Description: Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Description: Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Upload Manager
Description: Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Volume Shadow Copy
Description: Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

WebClient
Description: Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Windows Audio
Description: Controls all audio functions.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Description: Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Description: Used for some scanners and cameras.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Windows Installer
Description: This service is required for software applications that install using MSI files.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Windows Management Instrumentation
Description: If you don't want your computer to work, set this to Disabled.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic

Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Description: Provides systems management information to and from drivers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Manual

Windows Time
Description: If you like to synchronize your clock to a time server this is the way to go.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Wireless Zero Configuration
Description: Automatic configuration for wireless network devices. If you do not have any wireless network devices in use, Disable this service.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Disabled

WMI Performance Adapter
Description: Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.
Default Setting: Manual
Recommended Setting: Disabled

Workstation
Description: Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers.
Default Setting: Automatic
Recommended Setting: Automatic