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This page covers Windows XP Services M - V. |
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McAfee Firewall This service is only for those that use McAfee Firewall software. It's best to set this to Manual and then open it when you plan on using the internet, otherwise it just eats memory. Be sure to disable automatic startup within Firewall itself before resetting the service configuration. Default: Automatic McShield McAfee on Access Scanner. This service is also only for those that use McAfee Virus Scan software. McAfee usually runs a large number of unecessary processes in the background, even when not connected to the internet or when McAfee is closed. It's best to set this to Manual and then open McAfee Virus Scan when you plan on using the internet or are handling potentially hazardous files. Default: Automatic Messenger Transmits netsend and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If you use Alerter set this to Manual. Otherwise, just set it to Disabled. Default: Automatic MS Software Shadow Copy Provider Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. For Professional users only. Set this to Manual. Default: Manual NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Enables an authorized user to access this computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a corporate intranet. For extra security set this to Disabled. If you are one of the 1% that use this function leave it on Manual. Default: Manual Network Connections Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections. This is absolutely imperative for anyone that uses the internet as it controls your connection. I have been able to set this to Manual without much issue. However, every now and again Internet Explorer will freeze just after opening (when the dialer is supposed to pop up), requiring me to close it down and re-open it. This doesn't happen very often though, and since I, like most people, don't use the internet every time I am on my computer, it's nice to eliminate an extra service running in the background. Don't ever set this to Disabled unless you don't have the internet or want to prevent someone from connecting. I recommend trying it on Manual, and setting it to Automatic if you have connection issues. Default: Automatic Network DDE Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers. Unless your computer requires a DDE IPC connection (which most don't) go ahead and set this service to Disabled (or Manual). A few other services and applications may use Network DDE so make sure and check its dependencies first. Default: Manual Network DDE DSDM Manages Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) network shares. If you use Network DDE above set this to Automatic (or Manual). Otherwise, set it to Disabled. Default: Manual Network Location Awareness (NLA) Collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes. This service relates to shared connections and the like. Leave it on Manual unless you share a connection in which case it might be helpful to set it to Automatic. I have also read that setting it to Automatic is helpful if you use the built-in Internet Explorer firewall (though I personally have never tested this). Default: Manual NVIDIA Driver Helper Service If you use a NVIDIA graphics card with Detonator drivers you will have this service. You can set it to Manual (or Disabled) without problem. Default: Automatic Performance Logs and Alerts Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. Set this to Manual unless you have XP configured to record and log system events. If you do, then set to Automatic or no logs will be recorded. Default: Manual Plug and Play Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Absolutely leave this set to Automatic to track hardware changes or you will regret it! Default: Automatic Portable Media Serial Number Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer. If you don't connect portable media devices (i.e. MP3 players) to your computer you can set this to Manual or Disabled. Even if you do, this can be set to Manual without problem in most cases (try it, and change to Automatic if there is a problem). Default: Automatic Print Spooler Loads files to memory for later printing. If you use a printer this must be set to Automatic. If set to Manual Windows will not be able to print. I myself don't print very often, and so I leave it on Manual and simply start the service before I print. This keeps another unwanted service from running needlessly in the background. Default: Manual Protected Storage Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users. Leave this set to Automatic for maximum security. Default: Automatic QoS RSVP Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets. This saves connection bandwidth and gives it to QoS processes. This gives them more bandwidth than necessary, and so this service is best set to Disabled unless you use such applications. Default: Manual Remote Access Auto Connection Manager Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address. This is also imperative for internet usage. As I have stated before, since I and most others don't connect to the internet every session, this may be set to Manual. If you have issues, set it to Automatic. Default: Manual Remote Access Connection Manager Creates a network connection. Set this to the same setting as the Auto Connection Manager. Default: Manual Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If you use Remote Assistance (i.e. allowing tech support or the like modify your computer remotely) leave this on Manual. However, for security reasons, I highly recommend setting this to Disabled. Before doing so, make sure to change this setting in System Properties first by right-clicking on My Computer, clicking the Remote tab, and unchecking Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop. Default: Manual Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services. Another service that should be set to Automatic and nothing else; many services depend on it! Default: Automatic Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locater Manages the RPC name service database. Leave this set to Manual. I would not recommend disabling it completely. Default: Manual Remote Registry Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. For Professional users only. I highly recommend setting this to Disabled for security reasons unless your system administrator says otherwise. For stand-alone users set this to Disabled. Default: Manual Removable Storage Manages removable media, drives, and libraries. Don't be fooled; this does not apply to CDs, DVDs, or disks, only to tape devices and such. Thus this can be set to Disabled for most users. Default: Manual Routing and Remote Access Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments. Stand-alone and XP Home users can set this Disabled for security reasons. Only set to Automatic if you are a business user who needs things routed remotely or share a network connection. Default: Manual Secondary Logon Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. This is necessary for computers with multiple users only; all others may set it to Disabled. If you are on a shared computer and need to be able to access certain administrative functions even if you are not the system administrator then set this to Manual. Default: Automatic Security Accounts Manager Stores security information for local user accounts. If you are the only user on a computer or have the same security settings for all users set this to Disabled. If you have modified any security settings for multiple users then set this to Manual. Default: Automatic Server Supports file, print, and named pipe-sharing over the network for this computer. As far as I can tell it is okay to set this to Manual, though I have read from various sources that leaving this on Automatic is recommended. I have had no issues with it thus far, so go ahead and set it to Manual unless you do share files or print remotely or if the new setting causes problems with remote sharing tasks. Default: Automatic Shell Hardware Detection This provides support for docking a laptop or other related external hardware devices. If you dock such devices leave this set to Automatic otherwise set it to Manual or Disabled. Default: Automatic Smart Card Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. Unless you use smart cards set this to Disabled. Default: Manual Smart Card Helper Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer. Set this to the same as above. Default: Manual SSDP Discovery Service Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network. This can be set to Manual in most PCs, even those that connect to such devices. For added security this may be set to Disabled, but make sure your computer does not require this service. Default: Manual System Event Notification Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events. Keep this on Automatic in order to prevent system errors. However, if you really want to eliminate another service from the background this may be set to Manual on most systems without issue. Default: Automatic System Restore Service Performs system restore functions. If you have the System Restore function enabled in the System Properties menu leave this set to Automatic otherwise Disable it. I myself have it set to Manual and have not seen any problems with function when I do restore. It is generally recommended to leave it set to Automatic though if you do use this service. Default: Automatic Task Scheduler Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. Even if you don't have any tasks scheduled Windows seems to like this running, and so it is best left on Automatic. You can try setting it to Disabled at your own risk, but it's not recommended. Default: Automatic TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution. Most connections don't require this, and so it can be set to Disabled. If you're not sure, set it to Manual and see if the service starts after you have connected. Default: Automatic Telephony Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP based voice connections on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service. This is important for internet connection and is best left on Manual. Default: Manual Telnet Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients, including UNIX-based and Windows-based computers. For XP Professional users only. This is best set to Disabled for security reasons. Only leave on Manual if you need to allow remote users to access telnet through your Command Prompt. Default: Manual Terminal Services Allows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server. Unless you use or will require the above services set this to Disabled for added security. Default: Manual Themes Provides user experience theme management. Controls background and personal theme settings. Leave this set to Automatic in all cases, unless, of course, you really want the extra memory disabling this provides. Default: Automatic Uninterruptible Power Supply Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer. Set to Manual (or Automatic if problems arise) if you use a UPS (i.e. backup battery) or Disable if you don't. Default: Manual Universal Plug and Play Device Host Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices. Set this to the same setting as your SSDP Discovery Service. Default: Manual Upload Manager Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network. I keep this on Manual, though most people should be able to set it to Disabled without problems. Default: Manual Volume Shadow Copy Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. This can be set to Manual even if you use this function. Default: Manual |
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