:::. Asad Aslam .:::

You probably have heard of people telling you that you can speed up your computer by stopping unwanted services. But when you look at the list of services running, you are unsure of what to shut down and what not to. Here's a small guide to help you choose what to shutdown in a list of common processes/services.

Useless services:

• AdobeLM Service – Not all have this service, still its useless, just disable it if you have it.
• Alerter – Disable this if you aren’t on a network because you wont receive an alert thus.
• Application Management – Set this to manual.
• Automatic Updates – Disable it if you don’t require auto updating and patching of windows. Pretty useless if you use auto-patcher by neowin for updating your windows. Saves bandwidth.
• ClipBook – Disable this if you aren’t on a network since you don’t need to share anything then.
• Computer Browser – Disable this too if you aren’t on a network as then you don’t have to browse and monitor connected computers.
• Cryptographic Services – Set this to manual if you aren’t sure you require this.
• Distributed Transaction Service – Set this to manual.
• DNS Client – Set this to manual if you aren’t on a network.
• Error Reporting Service – Disable this damn useless service for reporting errors to Microsoft because they will hardly even reply to you for any error you get. Also saves lots of bandwidth.
• Fast User Switching Compatibility – Disable this if you have only a single user on your computer, or if you don’t use fast user switching feature much. That is, if you completely log-off and then allow other users to sit on your computer, then you don’t need this. Useless and saves time and memory disabling. Note that this process is completely useless for low memory computers.
• FTP Publishing – Disable this if you don’t use an FTP.
• Help and Support – Set it to manual or turn it off if you don’t use the help feature often. You can turn it on again when you want help.
• HTTP SSL – Set it to manual.
• Human Interface Device Access – turn this off if you don’t use hot-keys or remote systems on your computer, if you use them sometimes, better turn it to manual.
• IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service – set this to manual to save memory and time. Don’t turn it off if you have a CD Writer or a DVD Writer attached to your computer.
• Indexing Service – Turn it off, it uses lots of CPU. If you are an avid searcher, like a maniac, on your computer, leave it on since it will help you. If you know where your files are and don’t use search that often, then disable it for good.
• InstallDriver Table Manager – Disable this, does no harm in doing so.
• IPSEC Services – Set this to manual.
• Messenger – Disable this if you aren’t on a network, it uses too much memory and is a hog. Also it does no good and is a known security threat sometimes.
• MS Software Shadow Copy Provider – Set this to manual.
• Net Logon – disable if you aren’t on a network.
• NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing – Disable this if you don’t use Remote desktop feature, pretty useless feature according to me.
• Network Provisioning Service – disable this, its useless if you aren’t on a network.
• NT LM Security Support Provider – Disable this, its useless too.
• NVIDIA Display Driver Service – If you don’t use the features of nVidia Desktop, this must be disabled, big hog of memory.
• Office Source Engine – Disable it if you have a MS Office CD handy always, its helpful if your installation goes corrupt.
• Portable Media Serial Number Service – Set it to manual if you connect portable media to your computer, else disable it.
• Print Spooler – Disable it if you don’t have a printer.
• Protected Storage – Disable it if you don’t allow strangers to sit on your encrypted storage computer.
• Remote Desktop Help Session Manager – Disable it if you don’t use Remote Desktop feature for help and support from Microsoft which most probably is a Yes.
• Remote Procedure Call Locator – Set it to manual.
• Remote Registry – Serious security threat if turned on, disable it no matter what.
• Removable Storage – disable it if you don’t use removable storage drives, else turn it manual.
• Routing and Remote Access – Set it to manual.
• Secondary Logon – Useless feature for most, disable it or turn it manual.
• Security Accounts Manager – Disable it, pretty useless unless you use NTFS Encryption.
• Security Center – Damn useless and irritating feature. Disable it. No use at all.
• Server – set it to manual or disable it if not on network.
• Smart Card – Disable it if you don’t use smart cards on your computer.
• SSDP Discovery Service – Disable it of not on network or don’t have UPnP devices on home networks.
• Task Scheduler – Disable it if you don’t schedule tasks like defragmentation, error scans etc… and plan to do it your self instead.
• TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper – Set it to manual if on network else disable it for good.
• Telnet – Set it to manual if you use this feature, else disable it, especially home users.
• Terminal Services – Since you aren’t using Remote Desktop etc… disable it for good.
• Uninterrupted Power Supply – Disable it if you don’t have an UPS attached to the serial port of your computer.
• Universal Plug and Play Device Host – Set it to manual.
• User Privilege Service – Set it to manual.
• Volume Shadow Copy – disable it if you don’t backup using System Restore or Windows Backup.
• Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) – Disable this if you have another firewall such as Norton or Zone Alarm installed, Else let it remain ON for better security.
• Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) – If you don’t connect/use a camera/scanner with your computer, disable this service, else set it to manual.
• Windows Media Connect – Disable this if you don’t use a gadget such as an iPod etc… for your Windows Media Player.
• Windows Media Connect (WMC) Helper – Disable this if you disabled the above one or if you don’t need help.
• Windows Time – Disable if not on a synchronized network.
• Wireless Zero Configuration – Disable if not on a wireless network.
• WMI Performance Adapters – Disable it, useless service for basic usage.
• Workstation – Disable if you aren’t on a network. Or simply, if you are a games, just shut this one.

Notes:
1. To enter service manager, go to Start > Run > Type services.msc and hit enter.
2. To toggle the startup type of a service between Automatic, Manual and Disabled, double-click on the required service and choose the specific option from the listbox titled ‘Startup Type’ in the General tab.
3. If you are unsure about a service or for some reason, think it's important, leave it alone or turn it to manual instead of disabling. It will help protect from damage.
4. Completely mastering service management is a task possible only by trial and error.
5. There are risks involved in turning down important services, better read the description before attempting to change a service’s startup type.

I hope I have been clear enough for you to understand what to disable and what not to. Enjoy a faster and healthier computer.

 Source: Qwerty Maniacs