| By default, windows xp starts a lot of services. | | | | depend on it will fail to start. |
| Most are used for good working of Windows, but | | | | This is used when you want to pass certificates |
| some of them are unnecessary, and are there | | | | to the network. Unless you are in a large |
| only to slower computer performances. | | | | corporate network you don't need this. |
| More, some of the services expose your | | | | 8. Distributed Transaction Coordinator |
| computer to attacks, allowing remote users to | | | | Coordinates transactions that span multiple |
| access your computer. | | | | resource managers, such as databases, message |
| To access services, go to Control Panel, | | | | queues, and file systems. If this service is |
| Administrative Tools, and run Services, you will | | | | stopped, these transactions will not occur. If this |
| get a list with all services, with status and | | | | service is disabled, any services that explicitly |
| description for each. | | | | depend on it will fail to start. |
| You can go trough each service and read the | | | | This is used only if you want to access |
| description, all are self explanatory, you don't need | | | | filesystems and databases on the network. |
| much knowledge to understand what each | | | | 9. Error Reporting Service |
| means, but i will give you a list with some | | | | Allows error reporting for services and applications |
| Services that you can disable without any | | | | running in non-standard environments. |
| problems. | | | | Probably you have seen enough times the dialog |
| 1. Alerter | | | | box with "send error report" on it. |
| Notifies selected users and computers of | | | | 10. Help and Support |
| administrative alerts. If the service is stopped, | | | | Enables Help and Support Center to run on this |
| programs that use administrative alerts will not | | | | computer. If this service is stopped, Help and |
| receive them. If this service is disabled, any | | | | Support Center will be unavailable. If this service is |
| services that explicitly depend on it will fail to | | | | disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it |
| start. | | | | will fail to start. |
| I don't think it is necessary for a computer to | | | | How many times you got help from their help and |
| continuously annoy user with alerts. | | | | service center? |
| 2. Application Layer Gateway Service | | | | 11 IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service |
| Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins | | | | Manages CD recording using Image Mastering |
| for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet | | | | Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If this |
| Connection Firewall | | | | service is stopped, this computer will be unable to |
| If you want to share your internet connections | | | | record CDs. If this service is disabled, any |
| leave it on, but i don't think you want to share | | | | services that explicitly depend on it will fail to |
| your connection with others, because almost all | | | | start. |
| internet service providers don't want their users | | | | Don't turn this off if you have CD writer attached |
| to share internet, and companies or big networks | | | | on your computer. |
| which want to share connection use routers which | | | | 12. Messenger |
| are cheap. | | | | Transmits net send and Alerter service messages |
| 3. Automatic Updates | | | | between clients and servers. This service is not |
| Enables the download and installation of critical | | | | related to Windows Messenger. If this service is |
| Windows updates. If the service is disabled, the | | | | stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. |
| operating system can be manually updated. | | | | If this service is disabled, any services that |
| How many times you found automatic updates | | | | explicitly depend on it will fail to start. |
| necessary ? Microsoft software will always have | | | | This don't have anything in common with |
| problems, when they try to fix something they | | | | Windows Messenger or any other Messenger |
| will make other security holes, if you want to be | | | | client. It is used to send messages trough |
| secure, you should use a firewall. | | | | network. |
| 4. Background Intelligent Transfer Service | | | | 13. NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing |
| Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data. | | | | Enables an authorized user to access this |
| This will work well for automatic updates, but are | | | | computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a |
| you sure you want that your computer to | | | | corporate intranet. If this service is stopped, |
| connect to internet and download stuff that you | | | | remote desktop sharing will be unavailable. If this |
| don't want to ? | | | | service is disabled, any services that explicitly |
| 5. ClipBook | | | | depend on it will fail to start. |
| Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and | | | | Do you want other computers from your |
| share it with remote computers. If the service is | | | | network or from internet to access the desktop |
| stopped, ClipBook Viewer will not be able to share | | | | of your computer ? if yes, don't disable this, else |
| information with remote computers. If this service | | | | do this for security. |
| is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on | | | | 14. Remote Desktop Help Session Manager |
| it will fail to start. | | | | Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this |
| This will share your clipboard with other | | | | service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be |
| computers on the network, seriously, why would | | | | unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the |
| you want to do this? | | | | Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box. |
| 6. Computer Browser | | | | Again, if you want to connect to this computer |
| Maintains an updated list of computers on the | | | | from other place, change your operating system. |
| network and supplies this list to computers | | | | 15. Remote Registry |
| designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, | | | | Enables remote users to modify registry settings |
| this list will not be updated or maintained. If this | | | | on this computer. If this service is stopped, the |
| service is disabled, any services that explicitly | | | | registry can be modified only by users on this |
| depend on it will fail to start. | | | | computer. If this service is disabled, any services |
| If you frequently copy files from other | | | | that explicitly depend on it will fail to start. |
| computers in your network, don't disable it, else, it | | | | I don't think you want to change your registry |
| is waste of resources. | | | | from other computer. |
| 7. Cryptographic Services | | | | 16. Wireless Zero Configuration |
| Provides three management services: Catalog | | | | Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 |
| Database Service, which confirms the signatures | | | | adapters |
| of Windows files; Protected Root Service, which | | | | If you don't have an wireless connection, disable |
| adds and removes Trusted Root Certification | | | | this. But, i tell you from my experience, the first |
| Authority certificates from this computer; and | | | | thing my wireless internet service provider |
| Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for | | | | administrator told me to do was to disable |
| certificates. If this service is stopped, these | | | | Wireless zero configuration, in this way, the |
| management services will not function properly. If | | | | connection will work better. |
| this service is disabled, any services that explicitly | | | | |