Introduction
This information came from Black Viper's website which, sadly, is no more. These are Windows XP Services Configurations and Windows XP Services Information.
An * (asterisk) indicates changes from Service Pack 1a to Service Pack 2.
Notes for a Happier Computer and User
- Do NOT use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead!
- Before disabling ANY service, check out the service information.
- Service settings are global, meaning changes apply to all users.
- An "*" (asterisk) indicates changes from Service Pack 1a to Service Pack 2.
- All of these services are "Standard" with Windows XP after the installation of Service Pack 2. If you discover something other than these listed here running, another program installed them.
- Still unsure? Put your setting to "manual" or the listing under "Safe." Manual allows Windows XP to start the service when it needs to (or when ever it feels like it), but not at boot up. Depending on your configuration, not all services will start when required while in "Manual" mode. If you find you need a service, place it in Automatic.
- After adjusting your service settings, reboot your computer.
- If you do not have some of these services listed, do not panic! If your computer manufacture "pre-installed" your XP, they choose not to have certain services installed for you. This is, in most cases, a fact with OEM versions of Windows XP Home.
- Disabling all of the "unneeded services" frees up 12-70 MB of RAM, depending on system.
- Do you mean that out of 87 (Home), 96 (Pro) services, 32 (Home), 34 (Pro) are set to Automatic as DEFAULT, but, we MAY only need 6 running?!? YES.
- Display Name ~ How it displays in the Services Control Panel.
- Process Name ~ Name of the Process running in the background (displays in Task Manager by hitting Ctrl+Alt+Del).
- DEFAULT Home ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows XP Home.
- DEFAULT Pro ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows XP Professional.
- "SAFE" Configuration ~ This is the configuration that 95% of the people will be able to use with little or no side effects. It will also minimizes the amount of "errors" that is reported in the Event Viewer. This does not guarantee it will work for you, but if adjusting your services scares you, this configuration would be a good starting point.
- Power User Configuration. This setup is a system that connects through a network (such as a gateway / router) to the internet, provides file and print sharing resources and gaming enjoyment. Some things may not function with this setup. No passwords save. Its use is not for a computer with analog modems or some direct DSL/cable connections. Try the "Safe" Configuration first.
- Bare Bones Configuration ~ This is the super geek setup. . This setup is a system that connects through a network (such as a gateway / router) to the internet with a static IP address. This system does not provide file and print sharing resources, nor have the ability to print. Its use is not for a computer with analog modems or many direct DSL/cable connections. You can use this configuration for extreme tweaking and testing purposes. Many things may not function with this setup. No passwords save. The Event Log will display "errors" of not being able to start certain services. Built in Windows CDR-RW functions may no longer work. Please do not ask, "How do I fix" questions while using this configuration. The answer will be "Use SAFE." This information's intention is for reference only.
- Automatic ~ With a service in this state, it will start at boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. However, this is very rare. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled.
- Manual ~ Manual mode allows Windows to start a service when needed. However, very few services will start up when required in Manual mode. If you find you need a service, place it into Automatic.
- Disabled ~ This setting will stop a service from starting, even if needed. Errors in the Event Viewer will show up complaining of that fact. Some services, while Disabled, will constantly complain. However, this situation is taken care of if placed in Manual. The service descriptions identifies those that should be in Manual vice Disabled.
Table Header Information
Configuration Information
Black Viper's Windows XP Home and Professional Service Pack 2 Service Configurations | ||||||
| Display Name | Process Name | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT Pro | "SAFE" | Power User | Bare Bones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alerter | svchost.exe * | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Application Layer Gateway Service | alg.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Application Management | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Automatic Updates | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| Background Intelligent Transfer Service | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| ClipBook | clipsrv.exe | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| COM+ Event System | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| COM+ System Application | dllhost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Computer Browser | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Cryptographic Services | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| DCOM Server Process Launcher * | svchost.exe * | Automatic * | Automatic * | Automatic * | Automatic * | Disabled * |
| DHCP Client | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled |
| Distributed Link Tracking Client | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Distributed Transaction Coordinator | msdtc.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| DNS Client | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| Error Reporting Service | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Event Log | services.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Fast User Switching Compatibility | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Fax | fxssvc.exe | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Fax Service | This service is renamed to Fax * after the installation of Service Pack 2. | |||||
| FTP Publishing * | inetinfo.exe | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| FTP Publishing Service * | This service is renamed to FTP Publishing * after the installation of Service Pack 2. | |||||
| Display Name | Process Name | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT Pro | "SAFE" | Power User | Bare Bones |
| HTTP SSL * | svchost.exe * | Manual * | Manual * | Manual * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Help and Support | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Manual * | Disabled | Disabled |
| Human Interface Device Access | svchost.exe | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| IIS Admin | inetinfo.exe | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service | imapi.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual * | Disabled | Disabled |
| Indexing Service | cisvc.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Internet Connection Firewall / Internet Connection Sharing * | This service is renamed to Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing * after the installation of Service Pack 2. | |||||
| IPSEC Services | lsass.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic * | Disabled | Disabled |
| IPv6 Helper Service * | svchost.exe * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * |
| Logical Disk Manager | svchost.exe | Manual | Automatic | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service | dmadmin.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Message Queuing | mqsvc.exe | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Display Name | Process Name | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT Pro | "SAFE" | Power User | Bare Bones |
| Message Queuing Triggers | mqtgsvc.exe | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Messenger | services.exe | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| MS Software Shadow Copy Provider | dllhost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Net Logon | lsass.exe | Manual | Manual * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing | mnmsrvc.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Network Connections | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled |
| Network DDE | netdde.exe | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Network DDE DSDM | netdde.exe | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Network Location Awareness (NLA) | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled | Disabled |
| Network Provisioning Service * | svchost.exe * | Manual * | Manual * | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| NT LM Security Support Provider | lsass.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled |
| Peer Name Resolution Protocol * | svchost.exe * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * |
| Peer Networking * | svchost.exe * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * |
| Peer Networking Group Authentication * | svchost.exe * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * |
| Peer Networking Identity Manager * | svchost.exe * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * | Not Installed * |
| Performance Logs and Alerts | smlogsvc.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Plug and Play | services.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Portable Media Serial Number | This service is renamed to Portable Media Serial Number Service * after the installation of Service Pack 2. | |||||
| Portable Media Serial Number Service * | svchost.exe * | Manual * | Manual * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Print Spooler | spoolsv.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled |
| Protected Storage | lsass.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| QoS RSVP | rsvp.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Remote Access Auto Connection Manager | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Remote Access Connection Manager | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Remote Desktop Help Session Manager | sessmgr.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Remote Procedure Call (RPC) | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Display Name | Process Name | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT Pro | "SAFE" | Power User | Bare Bones |
| Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator | locator.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled |
| Remote Registry Service | svchost.exe | Not Available | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Removable Storage | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| RIP Listener | svchost.exe | Not Installed * | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Routing and Remote Access | svchost.exe | Disabled | Disabled * | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Secondary Logon | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Security Accounts Manager | lsass.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| Security Center * | svchost.exe * | Automatic * | Automatic * | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Server | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Shell Hardware Detection | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) | inetinfo.exe | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Simple TCP/IP Services | tcpsvcs.exe | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Smart Card | SCardSvr.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Smart Card Helper * | This service has been removed and combined with Smart Card after the installation of Service Pack 2. | |||||
| SNMP Service | snmp.exe | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| SNMP Trap Service | snmptrap.exe | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| SSDP Discovery Service | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| System Event Notification | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| System Restore Service | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Task Scheduler | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Display Name | Process Name | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT Pro | "SAFE" | Power User | Bare Bones |
| TCP/IP Printer Server | tcpsvcs.exe | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Telephony | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Telnet | tlntsvr.exe | Not Available | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Terminal Services | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Themes | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| Uninterruptible Power Supply | ups.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Universal Plug and Play Device Host | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Upload Manager * | This service is removed after the installation of Service Pack 2. | |||||
| Volume Shadow Copy | vssvc.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| WebClient | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Windows Audio | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Windows Firewall / Internet Connection Sharing * | svchost.exe * | Automatic * | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled |
| Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) | svchost.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled |
| Windows Installer | msiexec.exe | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Windows Management Instrumentation | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extension | svchost.exe | Not Available | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled |
| Windows Time | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Wireless Zero Configuration | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| WMI Performance Adapter | wmiapsrv.exe | Manual | Manual | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Workstation | svchost.exe | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| World Wide Web Publishing * | inetinfo.exe * | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| World Wide Web Publishing Service * | This service is renamed to World Wide Web Publishing * after the installation of Service Pack 2. | |||||
An "*" (asterisk) indicates changes from Service Pack 1a to Service Pack 2.