Windows 7 Services Guide
Windows Services control the way your system functions and how it is managed. Many of these services take up a lot of memory and can easily reduce your system's performance. Luckily, there are quite a lot of services that can either be set to manual or can be disabled permanently. Here is a full list that we created with the help of many sites and of course, our knowledge:
*In order to access your service list, navigate to:
Start, Run and type Services.msc
| Service Name | Tweaked | ||
| “Database that Microsoft maintains to automatically apply proper settings to get well known programs with issues to run without user intervention” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Determines and verifies the identity of an application” | Manual | Manual | |
| “AIS allows users to run applications as an administrator. You should leave this service set to manual” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Allows 3rd party Internet connection sharing applications to be used” | Manual | Manual | |
| “The Application Management service is for allowing Group Policy installation management” | Not Available | Disabled | |
| “Download Manager that is needed for Windows Update” | Automatic (DS) | Manual | |
| “Manages Windows Firewall filtering. Turning this service off will significantly reduce the security of the system” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “This service hosts the BitLocker Drive Encryption service which provides secure startup for the operating system, as well as full volume encryption for the OS” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Essential for Windows Backup and Restore function. Turn this off if you don’t use Windows Backup” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Provides management, discovery and association of Bluetooth devices” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “This service caches network content from peers on the local subnet. It is pretty useless so disabling is recommended.” | Not Available | Disabled | |
| “Stores keys for cryptographic information. This could be used by other applications in the future, and only runs when needed” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Event model that passes information between processes” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Keeps list of computers on local network. Not needed if you don’t have other computers to connect to” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Provides secure storage and retrieval of credentials to uses, applications, and security service packages” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Needed for checking for signed drivers and manages Root Certificates” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “This service launches COM and DCOM servers in response to object activation requests. Almost all services depends on it” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Controls Windows Aero and how your desktop looks. Turning this off will improve system performance” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic or Disabled | |
| “Registers and updates IP addresses and DNS records for this computer. Needed for internet if you use DHCP. Can be Disabled if you have a static IP address” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Collection of diagnostic tools that attempts to detect problems in memory, disk, and files” | Automatic (Started) | Disabled | |
| “Diagnostics for Windows” | Manual (Started) | Disabled | |
| “Diagnostics for Windows” | Manual (Started) | Disabled | |
| “Provides Disk Defragmentation Capabilities.” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Keeps track of files' locations even if the file has been moved” | Automatic (Started) | Manual | |
| “Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and filesystems” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “The DNS Client service (dnscache) caches Domain Name System (DNS) names and registers the full computer name for this computer” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Provides the core file encryption technology used to store encrypted files on NTFS file system volumes” | Manual | Manual | |
| “The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication for 802.1x wired and wireless, Virtual Private Network (VPN), and Network Access Protection (NAP)” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Enables you to send and receive faxes, utilizing fax resources available on this computer or on the network” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Process for Function Discover processes. This is used by Windows Media Center” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Publishes this computer and resources attached to this computer so they can be discovered over the network” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Responsible for applying settings set through Group Policy” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Provides X.509 certificate and key management services for the Network Access Protection Agent” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Makes computer changes associated with configuration of the homegroup-joined computer” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Performs networking tasks associated with configuration and maintenance of homegroups” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Enables Hotkeys for Human Interface Devices” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Leave it alone, but not really needed. Used for some VPN software” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Enables user notification of user input for interactive services, which enables access to dialogs created by interactive services when they appear” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Allows you to share your internet connection to other computers attached to yours” | Disabled | Disabled | |
| “Provides tunnel connectivity using IPv6 transition technologies” | Automatic (Started) | Manual | |
| Internet Protocol security (IPsec) supports network-level peer authentication. Required if internet provider requires it” *Test network connectivity after disbaling | Manual | Disable | |
| “Coordinates transactions between the Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) and the Kernel Transaction Manager (KTM)” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Creates a network map of connectivity information” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Allows Media Center Extenders to locate and connect to this computer” | Not Available | Disabled | |
| “Enables connection to iSCSI devices” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. Windows Backup uses this service” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Gives higher priority to multimedia applications. Windows audio requires it” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Share your TCP ports, NOT RECOMMENDED!” | Disabled | Disabled | |
| “Maintains a secure channel between this computer and the domain controller for authenticating users and services” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Enables NAP, which is a way for administrators to control access to the network based on health indicator” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Maintains list of network connections. With this disabled the tray icon won't be able to tell if you are connected but you can still connect just fine” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Collects and stores configuration information for the network and notifies programs when this information is modified” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Stopping this client loses internet connections, period” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “The Offline Files service performs maintenance activities on the Offline Files cache, responds to user logon and logoff events” | Automatic | Disabled | |
| “Offers parental controls, if you need this for children” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Enables serverless peer name resolution over the Internet using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP)” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Enables P2P Grouping” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Provides identity services for the Peer Name Resolution Protocol and P2P Grouping services” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Enables performance logging which is pretty useful but no one ever uses it” | Manual | Disable | |
| “Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Never disable this service” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “The PnP-X bus enumerator service manages the virtual network bus” | Manual | Manual | |
| “This service publishes a machine name using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Manages removable storage devices to interface with WMP and image import. May be needed for MP3 players and Digital Cameras” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Manages power policy and power policy notification delivery” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Loads files to memory for later printing. Needed to print properly” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Allows you to send errors to Microsoft. Not needed if you hardly get any errors or don’t mind them” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Compatibility with old operating systems” | Manual | Manual | |
| “If you have multiple users accessing your computer, and you do not want them messing around with your files, then enable it” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Quality Windows Audio Video Experience (qWave) is a networking platform for Audio Video (AV) streaming applications on IP home networks” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Some internet providers may require it. If your internet fails to work after disabling this, then set it back to Manual” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Manages dialup/VPN. If you do not have Dial-Up, disable this service” | Manual | Disable | |
| “Responsible for all Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop related configuration and session maintenance activities that require SYSTEM context” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Allows users to connect interactively to a remote computer. Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Session Host Server depend on this service” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Allows the redirection of Printers/Drives/Ports for RDP connections” | Not Available | Manual | |
| “…Just about everything uses this service, so…ya” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Manages RPC names.” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. Useless” | Manual | Disabled | |
| Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments. Again, useless” | Disabled | Disabled | |
| “Resolves RPC interfaces identifiers to transport endpoints” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Support for secondary logon. Needed for some applications that need to run under a secondary logon account” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Provides support for the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) to connect to remote computers using VPN” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Allows for group policy to be applied” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “The WSCSVC (Windows Security Center) service monitors and reports security health settings on the computer. *Pretty useless if you know how you can protect your computer from viruses and spyware” | Automatic (DS, Started) | Disable* | |
| “Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Autoplay notifications” | Automatic (Started) | Disable | |
| “Supports smart cards on your pc for authentication” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “If you use a smartcard for computer access... then you need this” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Receives trap messages generated by local or remote Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agents and forwards the messages to SNMP management programs running on this computer” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Enforcement of DRM and possibly Windows Update. Required for Readyboost which is required for control panel access” | Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) | Automatic (Delayed Start) | |
| “Provides Software Licensing activation and notification” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Enables devices that use SSDP, which is for UPnP” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Useless” | Not Available | Disabled | |
| “Maintains and improves system performance over time. Great if you are running a desktop. Crap if you are running a server” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic or Disabled | |
| “Notifies COM+ events to other applications” | Automatic (Started) | Manual | |
| “Enables Tablet PC pen and ink functionality” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Allows you to schedule automated tasks, and some services use this to schedule tasks as well” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Provides support for the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, therefore enabling users to share files, print, and log on to the network” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Mostly used for people with dialup. If your networking stops working, try setting this back to manual” | Manual | Disable | |
| “Provides user experience theme management” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic or Disabled | |
| “Provides ordered execution for a group of threads within a specific period of time” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Trusted Platform Module key hosting” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Allows UPnP devices to be hosted on this computer” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “This service is responsible for loading and unloading user profiles. Do not disable it” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Management services for disks. You can leave it on manual to run only when you need it” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Service used for Windows Backup” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Manages audio for Windows-based programs” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Manages audio devices for the Windows Audio service” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Provides Windows Backup and Restore capabilities. If you do not use SystemRestore, then you can safely disable this service” | Manual | Disable | |
| “The Windows biometric service gives client applications the ability to capture, compare, manipulate, and store biometric data” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Securely enables the creation, management, and disclosure of digital identities” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Gamma/Color mapping for Windows. Managed through the control panel. Handy if you have 2 screens of different models” | Manual | Manual | |
| “This is used to configure Wireless LAN settings for an Access Point (AP) or a Wi-Fi Device” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Windows spyware and virus protection all in one. Features monitoring of Registry and on access scans. If you already have an anti-virus/anti-spyware program, please disable this service” | Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) | Automatic (Delayed Start) Or Disabled | |
| “Manages user-mode driver host processes” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Allows errors to be reported when programs stop working or responding and allows existing solutions to be delivered” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Basic event logging” | Manual | Manual | |
| “This service manages events and event logs. It supports logging events, querying events, subscribing to events, archiving event logs, and managing event metadata” | Automatic (Started) | Manual | |
| “Windows Firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. If you have already disabled Firewall, then you can safely disable this service” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic or Disabled | |
| “Optimizes performance of applications by caching commonly used font data” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Adds, modifies, and removes applications provided as a Windows Installer (*.msi) package” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “TV/Radio support for Windows Media Player” | Not Available | Manual | |
| “TV show recording scheduling” | Not Available | Manual | |
| “Shares Windows Media Player libraries to other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play” | Manual (Started) | Disabled | |
| “Enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Optimizes performance of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications by caching commonly used font data” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Remote management of computer” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Windows Indexing Service disguised” | Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) | Disabled | |
| “Synchronizes windows clock online… useless tool” | Manual | Disabled | |
| “Enables the detection, download, and installation of updates for Windows and other programs” | Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) | Automatic (Delayed Start) | |
| “HTTP stack implementation” | Manual (Started) | Manual | |
| “Enables viewing your wired network” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Lists wireless adapters and manages connections” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Provides performance library information from Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) providers to clients on the network” | Manual | Manual | |
| “Maintains internet connections” | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | |
| “Provides Web connectivity and administration through the Internet Information Services Manager” | Not Installed (Automatic, Started) | Automatic | |
| “It is strongly recommended that this service be kept running for best user experience of mobile broadband devices” | Manual | Manual |
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