Disabling unwanted services and speeding up your computer

16Dec06

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. Heres a small guide to help you choose what to shutdown in a list of common processes/services.

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 its 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 services 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.

Useless services:

AdobeLM Service Not all have this service, still its useless, just disable it if you have it.
Alerter Disable this if you arent on a network because you wont receive an alert thus.
Application Management Set this to manual.
Automatic Updates Disable it if you dont 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 arent on a network since you dont need to share anything then.
Computer Browser Disable this too if you arent on a network as then you dont have to browse and monitor connected computers.
Cryptographic Services Set this to manual if you arent sure you require this.
Distributed Transaction Service Set this to manual.
DNS Client Set this to manual if you arent 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 dont 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 dont 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 dont use an FTP.
Help and Support Set it to manual or turn it off if you dont 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 dont 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. Dont 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 dont 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 arent 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 arent on a network.
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Disable this if you dont use Remote desktop feature, pretty useless feature according to me.
Network Provisioning Service disable this, its useless if you arent on a network.
NT LM Security Support Provider Disable this, its useless too.
NVIDIA Display Driver Service If you dont 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 dont have a printer.
Protected Storage Disable it if you dont allow strangers to sit on your encrypted storage computer.
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Disable it if you dont 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 dont 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 dont use smart cards on your computer.
SSDP Discovery Service Disable it of not on network or dont have UPnP devices on home networks.
Task Scheduler Disable it if you dont 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 arent using Remote Desktop etc, disable it for good.
Uninterrupted Power Supply Disable it if you dont 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 dont 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 dont connect/use a camera/scanner with your computer, disable this service, else set it to manual.
Windows Media Connect Disable this if you dont 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 dont 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 arent on a network. Or simply, if you are a gamer, just shut this one.

richy,
pipex (which my dad uses) is on BT line ADSL,good service,
NTL (virgin media) which i have is cable,also good service,
i also have orange on the BT line for lappy and back up,for some reason it dont like the 8 meg on my line so orange downgraded it to 2 meg,nice of them to tell me,
it does work fine on 2 meg,1950 download and 248 on upload,
so why don't i get the greater speed on the 8 meg speed,
orange are blaming BT line or my inside wire,thats BS,shame on orange

Scussy, thanks ;-)

Looks like my only option is to try NTL, for 45 a month with 4mb broadband, TV and phone, keep Pipex until I feel I am getting the right service from NTL and all the websites I use work correctly and no connection problems ;-)

Anyone know of a website I can complain about BT not upgrading the exchanges faster?

rich,
have you gone with the 3 for 30 with NTL,as i think the 3 for 26 with sky could be a better option,the reason is that SKY is the best TV, you still keep a BT line so caller ID etc still works,
i have had NTL all 3 of them and now will only have the cable internet,NTL tv and phone is not the best,
do you know anyone with SKY tv and NTL tv,have a look,the sky plus is so good with the one button record and the series link,pause live TV etc,depends on your viewing,
have you looked into getting pipex 8Mb and the anytime free calls for 19
http://www.pipex.co.uk/

and SKY tv from 15
http://www.sky.com/

depends on what you will be watching do you want movies and sport,will you need another sky box in a diff room,

Scussy, Thanks ;-)

I already use Pipex I really want to stay with them, but they can't get BT to upgrade my phone line, so I can't get 8mb with them. BT told me the samething they are not going to update the line either so no matter who I go with if BT dont do the work, I have no choose to go with cable ;-(

I already have NTL cable so basically I will be upgrading the package I have now, hopefully it will be 45 for all three and I get 4mb broadband, TV and phone and keep pipex incase I have any problems ;-)

Got NTL cable modem installed last week, however it switches off for no reason and the lan connection goes dead when I try to reconnect, Lan keeps saying failed, how do I reset Lan with outreboot or unplugging modem as nothing seems to work

I have a holiday home in Spain. Being Cornish (defined as a tight Scotsman) I don't have a phone line and therefore no internet. Near neighbours (not Cornish) do but the wireless signal is weak in my place. I need to boost my laptop wireless reception. Any experience/recommendations on a card/usb antenna which works well? TIA

I have no idea how good they are, but these people claim to sell kit that increases coverage.

http://www.wirelesspro.co.uk

I'm thinking of renewing my old version of M/S Office Professional.

When you look at prices for this, there's a heck of a difference between the 'normal price' and the 'educational price'.

When you come to load the software up, aparently no 'educational questions' are asked at any stage. So this makes it very tempting to purport you are buying it for your 'in full time education child or whatever', rather than for yourself as a retiree.

There must be loads of people capitalising on this easy way to buy at a discount. A quick look at the numbers of buyers and sellers on eBay shows you just how many there must be.

I am not involved in education in any way. Anyone got any comments?

Is it just a case of 'Stuff it! Just do it. Buy the educational version.'?

Doc

If you buy the Home and Student Version of Office 2007 there is now no distinction.

So long as it is not for business use you are OK and you are allowed to install it on three computers (but possibly not if you buy an OEM version).

The downside is that you only get Word, Excel, Powerpoint and the indispensable OneNote.

There is a sixty day free trial available at microsoft.com, UK price is around 100 but cheaper in The States.

Thank you Optomist. Looked at the site - sent a query e mail - heard nothing. I'll not be buying from them. The reviews I read elsewhere seem very mixed on how effective are some of these antena etc. Often they appear useless or marginal.

Try http://www.openoffice.org/

Has all the MS programs - Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint plus Draw and Maths formulas/

Same functionality, always FREE and new updates all the time instead of MS once in a blue moon.

I have used both Open Office and MS Office but I never found the Open Office to be as good as Office XP. Now that MS Office 2007 is available, there is IMO no other choice.

why are moneyam monitor prices up to a hour behind LSE prices...advfns are fine

maestro,

They are not behind, the prices I am seeing are up to date and at the correct time. As I said to you when you called a few days ago, it would appear that for some reason the applet is getting stuck on your machine. did you try re loading the java as I suggested?

Ian

Ian - I have the same problem but a refresh makes it all start streaming again.

TOK,

Can you try reloading java by clicking on the word java above the stockwatch please?

Ian

See Tools, Internet Options, Advanced

Try ticking 'Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed' box

Ian and Doc - Done and done, thanks. I'll let you know if the hiccup recurs.

I am not sure how 'maestro' would know thay MAM prices were behind ADVFN bearing in mind that he claims to be banned by them!