http://www.z123.org/techsupport/xpservices.htm
windows xp services
There are basically two ways that are safe to turn these off. Way number one is in your msconfig (Start then Run then msconfig then click ok). When you open the msconfig you will see a tab named “Services” click on that and decide on what you want to disable. The other way is your services policy editor (Start then Run then services.msc /s then click ok). Either way you will be able to disable them. Below is the list of services, what each is and recommendation to turn them off or on.
Before you continue with this create a restore point. If something goes wrong this will be the easiest way to return the unit back to the way it was.
There are now 122 Services listed here.
6to4
IPv6 is designed to solve many of the problems of the current version of IP (known as IPv4) with regard to address depletion, security, auto configuration, extensibility, and more.
Recommend: Automatic
Alerter
Notifies users of administrative alerts. Not required under normal circumstances.
Recommend: Disabled.
Application Layer Gateway Service
Provides support for 3rd party plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing/Internet Connection Firewall. Required if using Internet Connection Sharing / Internet Connection Firewall (zone alarm, etc) to connect to the Internet.
Recommend: Automatic
Application Management
Used for Assign, Publish and Remove software services. If you can not modify your software installation of certain applications, put this service in to Automatic.
Recommend: Automatic
ASP.NET State Service
Provides support for out of process session state. If this service is stopped then the requests will be not be processes. If this services is disabled, any service that explicitly depends on it will fail to start.
Recommend: Automatic if you use asp.net programming
ATI Hotkey POLLER
This service is installed if you update to the latest ATI video card drivers. It provides the ability to hot key your display settings for what ever reason you would need this feature. I do not change them often, so there is no point in having this service “always running.”
Recommend: Disable
ATI Smart
This service is installed if you update to the latest ATI video card drivers. It provides the ability to test your particular configuration for compatibility issues and stability issues. The location is also in the ATI display properties control panel. After testing once, I have found no reason to continue to have this service in memory.
Recommend: Disable
ATI X10 Device Network Service
This service is required for the remote control to work with your system. If you do not use the remote control then you can disable this service. If you do use the remote control then keep this on Automatic.
Recommend: Automatic (if you want to use the remote)
Automatic Updates
Used to check up to see if there is any critical or otherwise updates available for download. Take note: Manual update via Windows Update web site Requires Cryptographic Services to be running.
Recommend: Automatic
Background Intelligent Transfer
Service Used to transfer asynchronous data via http1.1 servers.
Recommend: Disabled
BrSplService
Brother Spooling Service
Recommend: Leave Alone if you have a brother printer.
C-DILLACDAC11BA
“C-Dilla” is the name of a company that was purchased by Macrovision. The previous company, and now Macrovision, use the C-Dilla technology to provide software activation services and CD Key verification services for anti-piracy reasons. This technology is now sold by Macrovision as SafeCast and is bundled with many products. It also increases the ammount of popups you receive on your computer.
Recommend: Disable (spyware/adware)
ClipBook
Used to store information (cut/paste) and share it with other computers.
Recommend: Disabled
COM+ Event System
You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry from “DCOM” complaining about not having this service running if Disabled. Required for System Event Notification. Required if you want to run BootVis with the “optimize system” option.
Recommend: Disabled
COM+ System Application
You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry from “DCOM” complaining about not having this service running if Disabled. Required for System Event Notification.
Recommend: Disabled
Compaq Advisor
Compaq Advisor is an application that makes Compaq Presario PCs smarter. Compaq Advisor provides relevant and timely information about: Your PC’s functionality, Recommended enhancements for your PC, Offers related to your computing interests, Proactive notification of potential product or service issues. This service is quite annoying.
Recommend: Disable
Computer Browser
Maintains a listing of computers located on the network. This service is not needed on a standalone system.
Recommend: Disabled
Content Monitoring Tool
Hot deals content updated notifier. This is what it says when you check the service. Says it has no dependencies. I’m still trying to figure out what installs it I think its Kazaa though.
Recommended: Disable
Creative Service for CDROM Access
This service only exists for those of us with Creative soundcards and software. I found it nothing but annoying and later I uninstalled all non-driver related Creative software entirely. If you use their Disk Detector (for some bizarre reason) leave it. Otherwise, disable it. A word of warning, Creative installs Disk Detector by default and sets it to Automatic. Make sure to disable it in the Creative menu first before killing it here.
Recommend: Disable
Crypkey License
This service is installed if you use “Swish” (swishzone.com). It is required to start up the program, otherwise an error about writing to a memory location pops up. Set this to Disabled until you need it. Note: If set to “Manual,” this service will NOT start on it’s own (thus the error message).
Recommend: Disable
Cryptographic Services
Mainly, it confirms signatures of Windows files. You may always get a dialog box complaining about uncertified drivers if this is Disabled. Required for Windows Update to function in manual mode.
Recommend: Automatic
DefWatch
This service is installed with Norton. Virus Definitions Daemon. Unless you do not want your Virus Scanner to work properly, keep this going.
Recommend: Automatic
DHCP Client
Receives a Dynamic IP address from your DHCP server. Required for ICS/internet client and also if you run IPSEC, disable on a standalone system or one that has a static IP address.
Recommend: Automatic
Directway Webcast
Part of a satellite network. Need to be enabled to use this service. no dependancies. Dependant on QoS RSVP, IPSEC, and Upload Manager.
Recommend: Automatic
Diskeeper
Controls the Diskeeper service.
This service exists only for those of us who use the Diskeeper defragmentation software as opposed to the Windows pre-installed defragmenter. Set this to Manual.
Recommend: Disable
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Maintains links with NTFS files within your computer or across a domain.
Recommend: Disabled
Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Takes care of transactions that span multiple resources. Required if using Message Queuing.
Recommend: Disabled
DNS Client
Resolves DNS names and Active Directory domain controller functions. This service is not needed, but if it makes you happy to have it running, go ahead. Required if using IPSEC.
Recommend: Disabled
Error Reporting Service
Calls home to Microsoft when application errors occurs. A waste of memory and resources.
Recommend: Disabled
Event Log
Allows Event Log messages from applications to be viewed in Event Viewer. Always helpful to check out the Event Log to see what problems with applications are popping up that is “hidden” from the normal user. Windows Management Instrumentation also Requires Event Log Service to be running.
Recommend: Automatic
Fast User Switching Compatibility
Unless you have many users on a system (more than 3), you probably do not even need this service to be running.
Recommend: Disabled
Fax Service
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
FTP Publishing Service
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Used to provide a FTP server on your network.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
Help and Support
Required for Microsoft online help documents.
Recommend: Automatic
(HID) Human Interface Device Access
Used for specific peripherals.
Recommend: Automatic
IIS Admin
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Usually used in conjunction with local web site or FTP servers.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled unless you really want it.
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
Used for that cool “drag and drop” CD burn capability. You will need this service to burn CD’s.
Recommend: Automatic
Indexing Service
This has always and forever been a major resource hog. Remove the function via the “Add/Remove Programs” icon in the control panel (Windows Setup Programs.)
Recommend: Disabled or even better, uninstalled
Intel