Windows XP Services and YOU: A guide to gaining performance.

[Prisoner416]

Windows XP Services and YOU: A guide to gaining performance.

We all know Microsoft comes bundled with extra stuff most of of don't even use. Here, we shall go into detail on the services that load up when you boot your PC, and which ones you can safely disable to gain performance.

First, you'll want to check these two sites:

http://beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm

http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

These contain a list of the services and a detailed explanation of what they do.

Click your start menu, choose run, and enter "services.msc" without quotes.

Now then, here's a list of what you really SHOULD disable, and why.

Alerter: Unless you're on a business network with a System Administrator, you don't need it.

FTP Publishing Service: Unless you're running a server, you don't need this.

IIS Admin: Security threat, DISABLE.

Indexing Service: Waste of resources.

Machine Debug Manager: Unless you really want to try to debug scripts.

Messenger: Don't be fooled, this isn't Windows messenger. Spam and security risk, DISABLE.

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing: Security hole. DISABLE.

Network DDE: Unless you use ClipBook remotely, disable.

Portable Media Serial Number: Serves no purpose other then data tracking. Disable.

QoS RSVP: Sets aside bandwidth for services almost never used by home users. Disable to free it up.

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager: Security hole, DISABLE.

Remote Registry: Allows others to edit your registry from a remote location. Security hole. DISABLE.

Routing and Remote Access: Disable if you aren't a business computer.

Server: Security risk, disable if you aren't on a network.

Smart Card: Unless you have a Smart Card reader, which is only likely if you're on a business computer, disable.

Smart Card Helper: See above.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: If NetBios or WINS is not implemented on your network, disable this service.

Telnet: Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs. DISABLE.

Terminal Services: Security risk, disable.

Uninterruptible Power Supply: If you don't have one, disable.

There are more, so check out the sites and make your own decisions. These ones are the main ones, however.

 

[shadows5631]

Great post.

Most of these are featured in Vista and 7 too.

 

[reflex99]

thats kinda neet

 

[RedOne]

Good stuff ..

 

[Ice hearted killer]

thank you very much sir i shall be doing that tomorrow

 

[Hav0k]

if you want to add another guide...i always used OverClocker's Club and i think someone posted another site that detailed the services on the forums...

 

[iWhiskey]

Some quick notes:

Windows XP by default only allows 10 active TCP connections. I recommend you up this to 1000 if you torrent or plan on gaming often.

The swap file size dictates how much space XP uses for swap memory. While swap memory is slow, and some will recommend you disable it, I suggest leaving it be, as it helps with huge map loading. This file should be double your system RAM.

I suggest storing your games on a separate hard drive than what windows is running on. This will increase performance. I personally use FAT32 for this for extra speed, however, FAT32 does not allow for files larger than 4gbs.

Defragment often. Defraggler is a good tool for this. The built-in one ignores certain files.

Virus scan often. COMODO and Clamwin are two good free virus scanners.

Services wise, always be careful. When in doubt, don't kill it. Google is your friend.

 

[iamevilbear]

FYI windows 7 is out ??? Who still uses xp?

 

[Angeal]

FYI windows 7 is out ??? Who still uses xp?

I do, But not for long!

 

[Lava]

Vista Ftw?

 

[Prisoner416]

FYI windows 7 is out ??? Who still uses xp?

Any sane person who doesn't upgrade at the drop of a hat and waits at least half a year for the inevitable patches, bug fixes, and price drops?

 

[PD187]

While I do agree with you, patches/bugfixes are inevitable :-\.

Another idea for when reinstalling is disabling all the services that you want on a fresh install through nLite. There's only one service that I completely remove from my installs (System Restore) but nLite will let you disable them all and make it so you don't have to sit there hitting next.

For Vista, there's vLite but I don't know how well it works with 7 (if at all).

 

[Prisoner416]

While I do agree with you, patches/bugfixes are inevitable :-.

Another idea for when reinstalling is disabling all the services that you want on a fresh install through nLite. There's only one service that I completely remove from my installs (System Restore) but nLite will let you disable them all and make it so you don't have to sit there hitting next.

For Vista, there's vLite but I don't know how well it works with 7 (if at all).

Until Windows 7 has the Classic start menu, it's a no-go.

Plus, I've modded up my XP themes just fine.