Administrative Tools - Services

I have searched through this site and not found anything (maybe I'm not searching under the right keywords) that could tell me what services I could do without. I am currently using WinXP, service pack 2 on an Intel Celeron 2.2 system. My couurent list of services are listed below. Is their anyone who could comprehensively tell me what services I need to disable and why? I've tried a "hit and miss" approach and several times had to re-install Win XP. In the intrest of trying to keep this msg brief, I've not doublespaced anything in hte msg. But the text file included IS double spaced for easier reading.
Name Status Startup Type Log On As

Alerter Disabled Local Service
Application Layer Gateway Service Manual Local System
Automatic Updates Started Automatic Local System
Background Intelligent Transfer Service Manual Local System
ClipBook Disabled Local System
COM+ Event System Started Manual Local System
COM+ System Application Manual Local System
Computer Browser Started Automatic Local System
Cryptographic Services Started Automatic Local System
DCOM Server Process Launcher Started Automatic Local System
HCP Client Started Automatic Local System
Distributed Link Tracking Client Started Automatic Local System
Distributed Transaction Coordinator Manual Network Service
DNS Client Started Automatic Network Service
EarthLink Monitor Service Started Automatic Local System
Error Reporting Service Started Automatic Local System
Event Log Started Automatic Local System
Fast User Switching Compatibility Started Manual Local System
Help and Support Started Automatic Local System
HTTP SSL Manual Local System
Human Interface Device Access Disabled Local System
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service Manual Local System
Indexing Service Manual Local System
IPSEC Services Started Automatic Local System
Logical Disk Manager Manual Local System
Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service Manual Local System
Messenger Disabled Local System
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider Manual Local System
Net Logon Manual Local System
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Manual Local System
Network Connections Started Manual Local System
Network DDE Disabled Local System
Network DDE DSDM Disabled Local System
Network Location Awareness (NLA) Started Manual Local System
Network Provisioning Service Manual Local System
Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service Started Automatic Local System
Norton AntiVirus Firewall Monitor Started Automatic Local System
Norton Protection Center Service Started Manual Local System
Norton UnErase Protection Started Automatic Local System
NT LM Security Support Provider Manual Local System
Performance Logs and Alerts Manual Network Service
Plug and Play Started Automatic Local System
Portable Media Serial Number Service Manual Local System
Print Spooler Started Automatic Local System
Protected Storage Started Automatic Local System
QoS RSVP Manual Local System
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager Manual Local System
Remote Access Connection Manager Started Manual Local System
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Manual Local System
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Started Automatic Network Service
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator Manual Network Service
Removable Storage Manual Local System
Routing and Remote Access Disabled Local System
Secondary Logon Started Automatic Local System
Security Accounts Manager Started Automatic Local System
Security Center Started Automatic Local System
Server Started Automatic Local System
Shell Hardware Detection Started Automatic Local System
Smart Card Manual Local Service
SPBBCSvc (Symantec) Started Automatic Local System
Speed Disk service Started Automatic Local System
SSDP Discovery Service Started Manual Local Service
Symantec AVScan Manual Local System
Symantec Core LC Started Automatic Local System
Symantec Event Manager Started Automatic Local System
Symantec Network Drivers Service Started Automatic Local System
Symantec Settings Manager Started Automatic Local System
System Event Notification Started Automatic Local System
System Restore Service Started Automatic Local System
Task Scheduler Started Automatic Local System
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Started Automatic Local Service
Telephony Started Manual Local System
Terminal Services Started Manual Local System
Themes Started Automatic Local System
Uninterruptible Power Supply Manual Local Service
Universal Plug and Play Device Host Manual Local Service
Volume Shadow Copy Manual Local System
WebClient Started Automatic Local Service
Windows Audio Started Automatic Local System
Windows Firewall/(ICS) Started Automatic Local System
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Manual Local System
Windows Installer Manual Local System
Windows Management Instrumentation Started Automatic Local System
Windows Time Started Automatic Local System
Wireless Zero Configuration Started Automatic Local System
WMI Performance Adapter Manual Local System
Workstation Started Automatic Local System


My apologies for the ragged formatting of the list, but I did my best. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Hey,

Here's my general rule of thumb.... It's a 3 point Rule

Point 1 - If you know you don't need it... disable it.
Point 2 - If you know you need it... enable it.
Point 3 - If you don't know if you need it... leave it alone.

However some nice people have put some sites together to assist you with disabling services.... Use these guides at your own risk.

It seems that BlackViper.com (the past leader in service configs) no longer exists... but the page has been mirrored @ http://www.codecavalier.com/blackvip...servicecfg.htm

You can also check out a slightly modified version of the original BlackViper.com list @ http://www.dead-eye.net/WinXP%20Services.htm

The Elder Geek also has a good list @ http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

Basically you should leave it alone if you don't know if you need the service or not... or google each service on it's own and see if you require it based on the description...

Examples: I don't have wireless so I Know I can disable Wireless Zero Configuration... I also know I don't use ICS or the Firewall so I disable that service... However I use Audio on my desktop but not in my VMs so in my VMs I'd also disable Windows Audio...

As I stated previously you should go and learn what they do yourself... hit and miss is a bad idea and relying on others to tell you what your system needs is a bad idea.. For Example... from personal experience I'd tell you to disable all the Norton services... but I'd also tell you to uninstall it and go with something that's less of a resource hog... I might also tell you norton should be disabled because I'm a dick... You can't trust me because you really don't know me...

Besides... we're not here to help you configure every service on your PC... google a little and learn... it's the only real way to accomplish anything..

Peace,
HT

PS... Moved to Operating Systems because I don't think this is specific enough to be Microsoft Security...

Quote:

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Originally posted here by HTRegz
Hey Hey,

Here's my general rule of thumb.... It's a 3 point Rule

Point 1 - If you know you don't need it... disable it.
Point 2 - If you know you need it... enable it.
Point 3 - If you don't know if you need it... leave it alone.

---

I've tried that and have apparently been slowing my system down quite a bit, not to mention different application/security problems.

Quote:

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However some nice people have put some sites together to assist you with disabling services.... Use these guides at your own risk.

It seems that BlackViper.com (the past leader in service configs) no longer exists... but the page has been mirrored @ http://www.codecavalier.com/blackvip...servicecfg.htm

You can also check out a slightly modified version of the original BlackViper.com list @ http://www.dead-eye.net/WinXP%20Services.htm

The Elder Geek also has a good list @ http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

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The above was basically what I've been looking for. Thank you for the links :)

Quote:

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As I stated previously you should go and learn what they do yourself... hit and miss is a bad idea and relying on others to tell you what your system needs is a bad idea.. For Example... from personal experience I'd tell you to disable all the Norton services... but I'd also tell you to uninstall it and go with something that's less of a resource hog... I might also tell you norton should be disabled because I'm a dick... You can't trust me because you really don't know me...

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Yes, you could, but since I've had some good experience with Norton products I'd probably ignore that one :), and yes you COULD be a dick, too, but I checked your profile before replying so I seriously doubt that would be the case.

Quote:

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Besides... we're not here to help you configure every service on your PC... google a little and learn... it's the only real way to accomplish anything..

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True, but a point in the right direction, even when I ask the wrong - or should I say wrong kind? - of question helps too. For example, I really was unaware I could google every service to find out what it does or is. Now I know... thank you. Sometimes I may ask a rather open-ended question, not to take up other's time, but to get just such information as you gave to me here. Besides, I am sure that there are - or will be - others who may need these answers as well. If not now then in the future. They now have a means of searching here and finding this thread to get the same info I have received without having to ask inappropriate or "dumb" questions. I think that is worth the risk of getting negged (should I do so) in order to help others later.

Quote:

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Peace,
HT

PS... Moved to Operating Systems because I don't think this is specific enough to be Microsoft Security...

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Thanks for moving this, but I kind of felt inappropriate or non-essential services might have been considered a security issue and so posted where I did. Thanks for putting it in the correct forum.

Peace and God Bless

Carenath

Hey Hey,

Nice reponses for the most part. Except for the norton part... I'd highly suggest ditching it and going with AVG Free... personal opinion but I don't know many people that like Norton (unless they have high end machines... or have used software like eTrust in the past)... If you want to pay for your AV software than I'd suggest looking towards Trend Micro.... Norton is a known resource hog and could be part of the reason your system is slowing down.

As for moving it... you're right that disabling services can be at times a security related task... I just felt that because you were asking in general about all of them and not specifically onces that would help to further secure your system... in other words it seemed more like a resource conservation type question... I figured it'd be best suited here :)

Good Luck with your config.


Peace,
HT

Quote:

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Originally posted here by HTRegz
Hey Hey,

Nice reponses for the most part. Except for the norton part... I'd highly suggest ditching it and going with AVG Free... personal opinion but I don't know many people that like Norton (unless they have high end machines... or have used software like eTrust in the past)... If you want to pay for your AV software than I'd suggest looking towards Trend Micro.... Norton is a known resource hog and could be part of the reason your system is slowing down.

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Actually I just purchased Norton SystemWorks yesterday and installed it today. I've not noticed much of a slow-down with it - yet...:)

But seriously, I've used Symantec products in the past such as NAV for DOS or Windows, Norton Utilities (back when it was for DOS 5.0), Norton Commander, SystemWorks, etc... and never really had much of a problem with them. About the only one I ever DID have a problem with was the Anti-Virus for SystemWorks 2002 and 2003. But that really was minor compared to the difficulties I had without it on the system.

Quote:

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As for moving it... you're right that disabling services can be at times a security related task... I just felt that because you were asking in general about all of them and not specifically onces that would help to further secure your system... in other words it seemed more like a resource conservation type question... I figured it'd be best suited here :)

Good Luck with your config.


Peace,
HT

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I guess I should have been clearer in my post about what it was I was trying to do - specifically to remove the security risks involved in having too many - or the wrong - services active.

Thanks and God Bless

Carenath

Hi Carenath I have to support HTRegz regarding Norton. McAfee is pretty much the same. You really need a modern, powerful machine for them to run smoothly. You also need to keep them up to date as both have been known to issue updates that produced performance issues that needed subsequent patching.

Another little "trick" you might like to consider is to update all your AV and anti-malware applications. Then reboot into safe mode and defragment your hard drive. This will pull all the pattern/signature files together, and make the applications run faster, smoother and more stable.

You should do this on a regular basis.

;)

Quote:

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Originally posted here by nihil
Hi Carenath I have to support HTRegz regarding Norton. McAfee is pretty much the same. You really need a modern, powerful machine for them to run smoothly. You also need to keep them up to date as both have been known to issue updates that produced performance issues that needed subsequent patching.

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Well, I used to use McAfee until they screwed it up when porting to windows from DOS. During my DOS days, McAfee, Norton AV, F-Prot and (now defunct) Thunderbyte Anti-Virus were the best AV tools available. I used a collection of approximately 80,000 someodd viruses to check different AV products on the - then - market and found that between those four, they found every one. I guess I am partial to NAV simply because of my past experience with them, but I havn't found anything else that does as well and does it for free. While I don't necessarily like spending the money for the subscriptions, I'd prefer going with something I know than something I don't. Most of the "free" AV products are limited in some way anyways.

Quote:

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Another little "trick" you might like to consider is to update all your AV and anti-malware applications. Then reboot into safe mode and defragment your hard drive. This will pull all the pattern/signature files together, and make the applications run faster, smoother and more stable.

You should do this on a regular basis.

;)

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As far as updating, I do THAT on a VERY regular basis. My current list of AV and Anti-malware is Spybot S&D, Spyware Guard, Avast, as well as Spyware Guard and MS Anti-Spyware Beta. Other software I use to try and keep my system clean and "neat" are Tuneup Utils 2006, Mindsoft Utils XP9, Index DAT Spy as well as a few others. I am always in the market for "new and improved" software to keep my system safe and malware free. As far as defraging, I admit I probably do not do that as often as I should, but I sometimes tend to be lazy in that respect. :)

Regards and God Bless!

Carenath

Hi Carenath

I have just installed the beta of "SpyDefense" from Everest Labs..............I have used Everest for hardware analysis for a while now, and they seem reputable. Too soon for an opinion on this product though.

I have a 5.25" floppy with Norton AV 1.0 on it :eek: It claims to detect all 760 known viruses (seven hundred and sixty! :D )

Times have changed a bit since then? ;)

Cheers,

Johnno

Quote:

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Originally posted here by nihil
Hi Carenath

I have just installed the beta of "SpyDefense" from Everest Labs..............I have used Everest for hardware analysis for a while now, and they seem reputable. Too soon for an opinion on this product though.

I have a 5.25" floppy with Norton AV 1.0 on it :eek: It claims to detect all 760 known viruses (seven hundred and sixty! :D )

Times have changed a bit since then? ;)

Cheers,

Johnno

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Hmmm... I'll check it out and let you know what I think. Maybe it will be something to add to my "stable" of apps.

Norton version 1.0???? Man, you really are dating yourself, you know? I threw my copy out after they stopped making 5.25 drives As for the 760 viruses, if you group all of hte variants of a virus as just one virus, then really there are only about maybe 4000 viruses out there now.

Blessings;

Carenath