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Windows XP Home and Professional Service Configurations

Notes for a Happier Computer and User:

• Do NOT use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead! (WHY?)
• Before disabling ANY service, check out the service information about each by selecting the service name links provided.
• Service settings are global, meaning changes apply to all users.
• For an easy method of creating multiple Service Configurations, please check out the Windows XP Services Profile Guide.
• For an even easier method of applying these tweaks, please visit the Windows XP Services Registry Patch Guide.
• If you wish to automatically include the Windows XP Services 411 descriptions in the services.msc GUI, please visit the Windows XP Services Registry Patch Guide for more information.
• All of these services are "Standard" with Windows XP. If you discover something other than these listed here running, another program installed them. View a listing of the more common ones.
• 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.
• Before E-Mailing me, see if your question has been addressed in the FAQ!
• More items about how to speed up your system can be found on the Windows XP Super Tweaks Page!
• If you find this page helpful and you wish to use this information (forums, web sites), please link directly back to this page and do not copy or redistribute it. The information is up to date and I do not want anyone posting old content.
• Disabling all of the "unneeded services" frees up 12-70 MB of RAM, depending on system.
• Do you mean that out of 89 services, 36 are set to Automatic as DEFAULT, but, we MAY only need 8 running?!? YES.
• Viewing Instructions: If the table is hard to read, download the PDF file below or please check out your viewing options.
• Printable Version: Includes this HTML page, the Windows XP Services 411 and several strange processes.
  • XPServices.zip ~ 233,872 bytes ~ 64 pages ~ Printable Revision 5 ~ August 31, 2003
    You need Acrobat Reader to view / print document.

Table Header Information:

• Display Name ~ is how it displays in the Services Control Panel.
• Service Name ~ is what the service's "short" name is and what displays in the registry.
• Process Name ~ name of the Process running in the background (displays in Task Manager by hitting Ctrl+Alt+Del).
• Dependencies ~ describe what other services this service needs to run.
• 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 this scares you, this configuration would be a good starting point.
• Internet Gateway Configuration ~ setup to allow multiple computers on a network to share one access point using Microsoft's "Internet Connection Sharing and Personal Firewall" software. If you do not have this type of setup, compare the differences between "SAFE" and "GAMING" to find a middle ground that works for your system. Other software or hardware type firewall and gateway software may require a slightly different configuration
• Gaming Configuration ~ this is the power user setup. A great way to test this setup is here. 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 "Internet Gateway" Configuration first.
• Super Tweak Configuration ~ this is the Super Geek setup. A great way to test this setup is here. 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 may display "errors" of not being able to start certain services. CDRW 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. However, I use this configuration on a daily basis.

Configuration Information:

• 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.