Windows Vista loads many services at startup, most of them are essential for the core system features. By disabling unnecessary services, the performance can be improved significantly, especially on computers with low system resources. The command SERVICES.MSC in the search field of the Start menu will start the management console to tweak the services (the management console is also available by Administrative Tools in the Control Panel, option Services).
Offline Files: Makes the network shares also available when the share is offline. The edited files will be synchronized automatically the first time the network share has become available. If this option is not desired, then it is better to disable this service.
Portable Device Enumerator Service: Enforces group policy for removable mass-storage devices. If this service is disabled, it is no longer possible to read/write protected devices. If it is not necessary to access removable mass-storage device using group policy, it is safe to disable the service (the removable media will still be accessible by applications which don't rely on this service).
Print Spooler: Necessary for loading a print job into memory for later printing. If there is no printer connected to the computer, this service can be disabled. But remember that it is not possible to add printers if the service is not running! If a printer is already installed, this printer will probably have a service running as well.
Remote Access Connection Manager: Necessary for managing dial-up and virtual private network (VPN) connections. If the computer is connected to a router and no VPN connection is needed, this service can be disabled safely. Because the service Remote Access Auto Connection Manager depends on this service, it can be disabled as well.
Remote Registry: Thanks to this service, external users are able to make changes to the registry keys over the network connection. This option is not safe, therefore it is better to disable it.
Routing and Remote Access: Disable this service if it is not desired that other computers are able to dial in to get access to the local network.
Shell Hardware Detection: This service starts the auto play of devices like DVD drives and memory cards. This service is also responsible for showing a window with the options which action to take with a certain type of file. If you don't like this function, disable this service. Because the service Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) depends on it, it has to be disabled as well.
Tablet PC Input-service: Enables the Tablet PC and ink functionality. If the computer is not a Tablet PC, it is safe to disable the service.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: Offers support for the (rarely used) NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Disabling the service will probably not cause any problems.
Terminal Services: As long as Remote Desktop is not used, it is safe to disable this service.
Windows Defender: Additional scanning software for unwanted, malicious software. If this service is disabled, disable the automatic start up of the tool Windows Defender as well, else the error message 0x800106BA appears. This error message is solved by disabling the automatic stat up with the tool MSCONFIG (tab Startup). After disabling the service, Windows Defender is no longer accessible by the Control Panel.
Windows Error Reporting-service: Generates an error message when a program no longer responds. If this service is disabled, error reporting is no longer possible and existing solutions are not delivered anymore.
Windows Firewall: If a software firewall is installed, the Windows firewall is no longer needed. For safety reasons, it is better not to disable it.
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA): For transferring images from a scanner or camera to the computer.
Windows Media Center Service Launcher: Starts other Media Center-services at startup if TV is enabled within Windows Media Center. The startup type of this service is automatic but delayed, which causes no delays at startup. If Windows Media Center is not used, it is safe to disable this service and the other Media Center services.
can you name a few other services that can be skipped ??
Offline Files: Makes the network shares also available when the share is offline. The edited files will be synchronized automatically the first time the network share has become available. If this option is not desired, then it is better to disable this service.
Portable Device Enumerator Service: Enforces group policy for removable mass-storage devices. If this service is disabled, it is no longer possible to read/write protected devices. If it is not necessary to access removable mass-storage device using group policy, it is safe to disable the service (the removable media will still be accessible by applications which don't rely on this service).
Print Spooler: Necessary for loading a print job into memory for later printing. If there is no printer connected to the computer, this service can be disabled. But remember that it is not possible to add printers if the service is not running! If a printer is already installed, this printer will probably have a service running as well.
Remote Access Connection Manager: Necessary for managing dial-up and virtual private network (VPN) connections. If the computer is connected to a router and no VPN connection is needed, this service can be disabled safely. Because the service Remote Access Auto Connection Manager depends on this service, it can be disabled as well.
Remote Registry: Thanks to this service, external users are able to make changes to the registry keys over the network connection. This option is not safe, therefore it is better to disable it.
Routing and Remote Access: Disable this service if it is not desired that other computers are able to dial in to get access to the local network.
Shell Hardware Detection: This service starts the auto play of devices like DVD drives and memory cards. This service is also responsible for showing a window with the options which action to take with a certain type of file. If you don't like this function, disable this service. Because the service Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) depends on it, it has to be disabled as well.
Tablet PC Input-service: Enables the Tablet PC and ink functionality. If the computer is not a Tablet PC, it is safe to disable the service.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: Offers support for the (rarely used) NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Disabling the service will probably not cause any problems.
Terminal Services: As long as Remote Desktop is not used, it is safe to disable this service.
Windows Defender: Additional scanning software for unwanted, malicious software. If this service is disabled, disable the automatic start up of the tool Windows Defender as well, else the error message 0x800106BA appears. This error message is solved by disabling the automatic stat up with the tool MSCONFIG (tab Startup). After disabling the service, Windows Defender is no longer accessible by the Control Panel.
Windows Error Reporting-service: Generates an error message when a program no longer responds. If this service is disabled, error reporting is no longer possible and existing solutions are not delivered anymore.
Windows Firewall: If a software firewall is installed, the Windows firewall is no longer needed. For safety reasons, it is better not to disable it.
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA): For transferring images from a scanner or camera to the computer.
Windows Media Center Service Launcher: Starts other Media Center-services at startup if TV is enabled within Windows Media Center. The startup type of this service is automatic but delayed, which causes no delays at startup. If Windows Media Center is not used, it is safe to disable this service and the other Media Center services.
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