WindowsXP Services

From Mikeslab

Go to Start, run and type: services.msc and press Enter (Or go through Control Panel). These are all services that can be disabled, as long as you meet the criteria following them.

---

Windows XP Services
Alerter	This is safe to stop and disable, unless apps start having issues without this service.
Application Layer Gateway Service	If you don't use ICS or the firewall, this can be stopped and disabled.
Background Intelligent Transfer Service	Set to manual. It won't run until needed. Windows Updates will still function. Don't disable unless you don't plan on using Windows Updates.
ClipBook	This service can be stopped and disabled. I have never seen this actually used.
DHCP Client	IMPORTANT: This can be stopped and disabled if you are only going to use a static IP.
Distributed Link Tracking Client	You can safely Stop and Disable this service.
Error Reporting Service	If you don't plan on ever sending Microsoft an error report (like normal), you can safely stop and disable this servce.
Group Policy Client	If you are not on a domain, or use group policies, you can stop and disable this.
IPSEC Services	If you do not use IPSec, you can stop and disable this.
Messenger	IMPORTANT: This should ALWAYS be disabled unless you have a VERY specific circumstance where it is needed.
Net. Tcp Port Sharing Service	This can be disabled unless you know of an application that explicitly needs it.
Network DDE	If you don't have any applications that use DDE over the network (most don't) this can be stopped and disabled.
Network DDE DSDM	See above.
Network Location Awareness (NLA)	This service can be stopped and disabled.
Offline Files	If you don't use Offline files, this service can be stopped and disabled.
Routing and Remote Access	If you don't share the internet, have your computer set as a dial-in server, or set up for any routing, this service can be stopped and disabled if not already.
Secondary Logon	If you are not going to use the "User Switching" feature of Windows, or start a program as an alternate user this can be stopped and disabled.
Security Center	If you don't want Windows to complain at you about Automatic Updates, firewall, or anit-virus being enabled or out of date, this service can be stopped and disabled.
Smart Card	If your machine doesn't have a smart card interface, or you do not use one, this service can be stopped and disabled.
SSDP Discovery	This service should and can be safely stopped and Disabled.
Task Scheduler	If you don't have any tasks that you have scheduled to run automatically at intervals (this does not include startup items), then you can stop and disable this service.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper	This can be stopped and disabled on a standard network. You can still browse and go to computers by their names.
Terminal Services	If you are never going to remote desktop into your machine, you can stop and disable this service, as well as the next two. Keep in mind though, Remote Desktop for your computer will be completely disabled if you do this.
Universal Plug and Play Device Host	If you do not have any uPnP devices, this service should be stopped and disabled.
Themes	If you want do go back to good ol Windows 2000 style, some resources can be freed by stopping and disabling this.
WebClient	If you don't plan on editing any Internet based files through Windows Explorer, this service can be stopped and disabled. This doesn't affect the functionality of client file transfer programs, like FTP.
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing	This can be disabled if you have a 3rd party/hardware firewall in place and you aren't using the machine for internet sharing.
Windows Time	If you aren't worried about time synchronization (keeping your clock spot on all of the time) or you have a 3rd part utility to do that, this services can be stopped and disabled.
Wireless Zero Configuration	If you do not have a wireless connection, or do and are never going to use it, this can be stopped and disabled.