Windows 2K/XP/2K3 Services
 

Service Configuration Recommendations

A service has 3 basic startup states :
  • Disabled : The service will not be loaded (Some programs stops working, doesn't take memory, quick boot time)
  • Manual : The service will be loaded on demand (Programs start slowly, doesn't  take memory, quick boot time)
  • Automatic : The service is loaded at boot time (Programs start fast, takes memory, slow boot time)
Explaination of recommendations:
  • Recommended: For users who prefer things safe and user friendly
  • Trimmed: For users who prefer to have only the most necessary services 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.
  • WSM: 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 via the network adapter to a hub, switch, router or another machine.
To access service configuration:
  • Win2k/XP: Control Panel => Administrative Tools => Services-snap-in
  • Win2k/XP: Registry


Service  (Each service links to it's description) Recommended Trimmed OS
Alerter Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Application Layer Gateway Manual (WSM) Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Application Management Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Automatic Updates Automatic (WSM) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Background Intelligent Transfer Manual (WSM) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Clipbook Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Computer Browser Automatic (Net) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
COM+ Event System Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
COM+ System Application Manual Manual   XP 2K3
Cryptographic Services Automatic Automatic   XP 2K3
DCOM Server Process Launcher Automatic Automatic   XP  
DHCP Client Automatic (Net)
Automatic (DUN)		 Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Directory Replicator Manual Manual      
Distributed File System Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K   2K3
Distributed Link Tracking Client Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Distributed Link Tracking Server Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K   2K3
Distributed Transaction Coordinator Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
DNS Client Automatic (Net)
Automatic (DUN)		 Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Error Reporting Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Event Log Automatic Automatic 2K XP 2K3
Fast User Switching Compatibility Manual Manual   XP  
FAX Service Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
File Replication Manual Manual 2K   2K3
Help and Support Automatic Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
HTTP SSL Manual Manual   XP 2K3
Human Interface Device Access Manual Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service Manual Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Indexing Service Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Internet Connection Firewall and Internet Connection Sharing Automatic (WSM) Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Internet Connection Sharing Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K    
Intersite Messaging Disabled Disabled 2K   2K3
IPSEC Policy Agent Manual Manual 2K    
IPSEC Service Manual Manual   XP 2K3
Keberos Key Distribution Center Disabled Disabled 2K   2K3
License Logging Service Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K   2K3
Logical Disk Manager Automatic Manual *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Messenger Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider Manual Manual   XP 2K3
NET Logon Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Network Connections Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Network DDE Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Network DDE DSDM Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Network Location Awareness Manual Manual   XP 2K3
Network Provisioning Service Manual Manual   XP  
NT LM Security Support Provider Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Performance Logs and Alerts Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Plug and Play Automatic Automatic 2K XP 2K3
Portable Media Serial Number Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Print Spooler Automatic Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Protected Storage Automatic Automatic 2K XP 2K3
QoS RSVP Manual Manual 2K XP  
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager Manual (DUN) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Remote Access Connection Manager Manual (DUN) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock)   XP 2K3
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Automatic Automatic 2K XP 2K3
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Remote Registry Service Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Removable Storage Manual *(Trim) Manual *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Resultant Set of Policy Provider Manual Manual     2K3
Routing and Remote Access Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
RunAs Service Manual *(Trim) Manual *(Trim) 2K    
Schedule Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim)      
Secondary Logon Manual *(Trim) Manual *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Security Accounts Manager Automatic Automatic 2K XP 2K3
Security Center Automatic (WSM) Disabled *(Trim)   XP  
Server Automatic (Net) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Shell Hardware Detection Automatic Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Smart Card Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Smart Card Helper Manual Manual 2K XP  
Special Administration Console Helper Manual Manual     2K3
SSDP Discovery Service Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock)   XP  
System Event Notification Automatic Automatic 2K XP 2K3
System Restore Service Automatic (WSM) Disabled *(Trim)   XP  
Spooler Automatic Disabled *(Trim)      
Task Scheduler Automatic (WSM) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Telephony Manual (DUN) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
Telnet Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Terminal Services Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock) 2K XP 2K3
Terminal Services Session Directory Disabled Disabled     2K3
Themes Service Automatic Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Universal Plug and Play Device Host Disabled *(Lock) Disabled *(Lock)   XP  
Upload Manager Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Utility Manager Manual Manual 2K    
Virtual Disk Service Manual Manual     2K3
Volume Shadow Copy Manual Manual   XP 2K3
WebClient Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Windows Audio Automatic Automatic   XP 2K3
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing Automatic (WSM) Disabled *(Trim)   XP  
Windows Image Acquisition Manual Disabled *(Trim)   XP 2K3
Windows Installer Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Windows Management Instrumentation Automatic Automatic 2K XP 2K3
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extentions Manual Manual 2K XP 2K3
Windows Time Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3
WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service Manual Manual     2K3
Wireless Configuration Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K   2K3
Wireless Zero Configuration Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim)   XP  
WMDM PMSP Service Disabled *(Trim) Disabled *(Trim) 2K    
WMI Performance Adapter Manual Manual   XP 2K3
Workstation Automatic (Net) Disabled *(Trim) 2K XP 2K3