[TUT] Disabling unnecessary and potentially dangerous services

[mon3yexploit]

Disabling unnecessary and potentially dangerous services

Note: I have reviewed every service below. Be sure that if you are not sure about something then put it manual, or leave it alone.
Misconfiguration of this can cause potential "HARM" to your PC.

Windows XP comes with Terminal Services, IIS, and RAS that can open holes into your operating system. It's often convenient to enable Terminal Services to allow remote control functions for the help desk or administering servers, but you have to make sure it's configured correctly. There are also several malicious programs that can run quietly as services without anyone knowing. Be aware of all the services that all run on your servers and audit them periodically.

Below is a list of the common services found on Windows XP, though don't be surprised if the vast majority are not present on your system. This is an almost complete list from Microsoft. Please read this and keep the running services to only those that you need. A useful tip is that instead of disabling something you are unsure of, set it to manual. When you restart your machine if that service has started then it is probably required by one of your components or software products. If it is still OFF then consider disabling it for greater protection.

Here are a list of the services that you "may" see when in the Windows XP services control panel, along with our recommendation for use in a home environment - please note, that we do specify a HOME environment. These settings may not be appropriate for work-based workstations, though in all likelihood the majority of the recommendations apply there too.

alerter - notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts. If this service is turned off, applications that use the NetalertRaise or NetalertRaiseEx APIs will be unable to notify a user or computer (by a Message Box from the Messenger service) that the administrative alert took place.
Recommendation: 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 to connect to the internet.
Recommendation: Automatic if using ICS, Disabled if not.

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 or Manual.
Recommendation: Disabled


Automatic Updates - Used to check up to see if there is any critical or otherwise updates available for download. It is very important that if you decide to disable this service, you check the Windows Update site often to ensure the latest patches are installed. Manual (and Automatic) update via Windows Update web site Requires Cryptographic Services to be running.
Recommends: Automatic if you do not wish to use Windows Update manually.


Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Used to transfer asynchronous data via http1.1 servers. According to Microsoft's site, Windows Update uses this "feature." It "continues" a download if you log off or shutdown the system (that is, when you log back in.) Manual update via Windows Update web site Requires Cryptographic Services to be running.
Recommendation: Disabled

ClipBook - enables the Clipbook Viewer to create and share "pages" of data to be viewed by remote computers.
Recommendation: Disabled

COM+ Event System - provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing (Component Object Model) COM components.
Recommendation: Disabled

COM+ System Application - as above
Recommendation: Disabled

Computer Browser - maintains an up-to-date list of computers on your network, and supplies the list to programs that request it. The Computer Browser service is used by Windows-based computers that need to view network domains and resources. Not required unless you attach to a network of Windows computers.
Recommendation: Disabled

Cryptographic Services - 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 and automatic mode. Windows Media Player may also require this service to function.
Recommendation: Automatic

DHCP Client - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Client manages network configuration by registering and updating IP addresses and Domain Name Server (DNS) names. If you are only dialling up to ISP via modem, cable, etc. If you have a network card in your PC and attach out via a router or sharing device then this may be required. Set to manual if unsure then check on reboot if it has started. If not then disable.
Recommendation : Automatic if required. Disabled if not.

Distributed Link Tracking Client - maintains links between the NTFS file system files within a computer or across computers in a network domain.
Recommendation: Disabled

Distributed Transaction Coordinator - coordinates transactions that are distributed across multiple computer systems and/or resource managers, such as databases, message queues, file systems, or other transaction-protected resource managers.
Recommendation: Disabled

DNS Client - resolves and caches (Domain Name Server) DNS names. The DNS client service must be running on every computer that will perform DNS name resolution.
Recommendation: Disabled

Error Reporting Service - Calls home to Microsoft when errors occur. Spyware?
Recommendation: Disabled

Event Log -logs event messages issued by programs and Windows. Event Log reports contain information that can be useful in diagnosing problems.
Recommends: Automatic


Fax Service - enables you to send and receive faxes. Disabling this service will render the computer unable to send or receive faxes. Not used by most people.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Telephony - provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP-based voice connections on the local computer and through the LAN on servers that are also running the service. If you never use a dial-up modem on a PC but connect via a router then disable.
Recommendation: Automatic (if using Dial-Up Networking/Faxing/ or PC Phone Services) Disabled otherwise


FTP Publishing Service -Not available on Windows XP Home. Not installed by default on Windows XP Pro,provides (file transfer protocol) FTP connectivity and administration through the Internet Information Service (IIS) snap-in. Big security risk!
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Help and Support - Required for Microsofts online help documents.
Recommendation: Disabled.

Human Interface Device Access - If all your devices function then disable it. Seems new with no devices for it as yet.
Recommendation: Disabled.

IIS Admin - Not available on Windows XP Home. Not installed by default on Windows XP Proallows administration of Internet Information Services (IIS). If this service is not running, you will not be able to run Web, FTP, NNTP, or SMTP sites, or configure IIS. See also World Wide Web Publishing Service. Not usually required unless you are running a local web server. If you are then make sure that if no external access is required that you firewall protect port 80 to only local traffic! Do not even consider running a public web server unless you are 100% sure of the implications - use an ISP server.
Recommendations: Leave not installed or Disabled unless you understand the implications.

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service - Used for the "drag and drop" CD burn capability. You will need this service to burn CD's.If you still can not burn a CD with it on Manual, switch to Automatic and feel safe that it will only be used when "needed."
Recommendation : Disabled if you do not burn CD's otherwise set to Manual or Automatic.

Indexing Service - indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers and provides rapid access to files through a flexible querying language.
Recommendation: Disabled

Internet Connection Firewall and Internet Connection Sharing - provides network address translation (NAT), addressing and name resolution services for all computers on your home or small-office network through a dial-up or broadband connection. Not required unless you are sharing a dial-up connection with other PC's on your network - not recommended! Far better to use a router or gateway firewall software for this purpose. Consider using a higher specification firewall like Kerio Winroute if sharing your connection.
Recommendation: Automatic if sharing connection, Disabled if not required.

IPSEC Services - manages IP security (IPsec) policy, starts the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) and coordinates IPsec policy settings with the IP security driver. Only leave on if you are using IPSec. Opens Port 500.
Recommendation: Disabled


Logical Disk Manager - watches Plug and Play events for new drives to be detected and passes volume and/or disk information to the Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service to be configured. If disabled, the Disk Management snap-in display will not change when disks are added or removed. Turn it on only if you add additional disks and then disable again.
Recommendation: Disabled

Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service - as above
Recommendation: Disabled

Message Queuing - A messaging infrastructure and development tool for creating distributed messaging applications for Windows. Not available on Windows XP Home. Not installed by default on Windows XP Pro. Most home users will never need this service.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Message Queuing Triggers - Not available on Windows XP Home. Not installed by default on Windows XP Pro. Required only if you use Message Queuing service.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Messenger - sends and receives messages to or from users and computers, or those transmitted by administrators or by the alerter service. Nothing to do with MSN Messenger
Recommendation: Disabled

MS Software Shadow Copy Provider - Used in conjunction with the Volume Shadow Copy Service. Microsoft Backup uses these services so you will need it if you use that. You will receive Event Log entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Recommendation: Disabled

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing - allows authorized users to remotely access your Windows desktop from another PC over a corporate intranet by using Microsoft NetMeeting�. Very dangerous - allows remote access to your PC. Only use if absolutely essential and if running effective firewall.
Recommendation: Disabled

Network Connections -manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both network and remote connections.
Recommendation: Automatic.

Network DDE - Useless service unless you use remote ClipBook.
Recommendation: Disabled

Network DDE DSDM - as above
Recommendation: Disabled

Network Location Awareness (NLA) - Required for use with the Internet Connection Sharing Service (server only.)
Recommendation: Disabled unless running ICS/ICF, not required for using an ICS sharer.

NT LM Security Support Provider - enables users to log on to the network using the NTLM authentication protocol. If this service is stopped, users will be unable to log on to the domain and access services. NTLM is used mostly by Windows versions prior to Windows 2000.
Recommendation: Disabled

Performance Logs and alerts - configures performance logs and alerts.
Recommendation: Disabled

Plug and Play - enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input.
Recommendation: Automatic

Portable Media Serial Number - Retrieves serial numbers from portable music players connected to your computer.
Recommendation: Disabled

Print Spooler - queues and manages print jobs locally and remotely. If you don't have a printer attached then disable.
Recommendation: Automatic if needed, Disabled otherwise.

Protected Storage - provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services processes or users.
Recommendation: Disabled

QoS RSVP - provides network signalling and local, traffic-control, set-up functionality for (Quality of Service) QoS-aware programs and control applets.
Recommendation: Disabled

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager - creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address. Disabling the service has no effect on the rest of the operating system. You will have to set up connections to remote computers manually. Whilst this process is convenient, unauthorised applications (such as Trojans) could bring up your network connection without your explicit request. Far better to manually dial.
Recommendation: Disabled.

Remote Access Connection Manager - creates a network connection.
Recommendation: Automatic if using Dial-Up Networking, Disabled otherwise.


Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. Could create a MAJOR security hole so disable it unless absolutely necessaty.
Recommendation: Disabled

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) - provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services. Absolutely essential.
Recommendation: Automatic.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator - Manages the RPC name service database. Useless service
Recommendation: Disabled

Remote Registry Service - Not available on Windows XP Home. allows remote registry manipulation. This service lets users connect to a remote registry and read and/or write keys to it-providing they have the required permissions. Hacker could use this to attack other PC's.
Recommendation: Disabled

Removable Storage - manages removable media drives and libraries. This service maintains a catalogue of identifying information for removable media used by a system, including tapes, CDs, and so on.
Recommendation: Disabled

RIP Listener - Not installed by default.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Routing and Remote Access - offers routing services in local area and wide area network environments. Shouldn't be required on a home PC.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Secondary Logon - allows you to run specific tools and programs with different permissions than your current logon provides.
Recommendation: Disabled

Security Accounts Manager -start-up of this service signals other services that the Security Accounts Manager subsystem is ready to accept requests.
Recommendation: Disabled unless needed.

Server - provides RPC support and file print and named pipe sharing over the network. The Server service allows the sharing of your local resources (such as disks and printers) so that other users on the network can access them. You should carefully consider the full implications of enabling this!
Recommendation: Disabled unless absolutely needed. Better still REMOVED.

Shell Hardware Detection - Used for the auto play of devices like memory cards, some CD drives, etc. Set to Automatic if you are experiencing problems with laptop docking stations.
Recommendation: Disabled unless required.

Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) - Not available on Windows XP Home. Not installed by default on Windows XP Pro. Transports e-mail across the network.

If you are using the built-in mail server for receiving mail then leave on automatic. If not, as would be usual in a home environment, then disable.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Simple TCP/IP Services - Not installed by default, implements support for a number of IP protocols.
Recommendation : Leave not installed or Disabled

Smart Card - manages and controls access to a smart card inserted into a smart card reader attached to the computer. If not using a smart card reader then disable.
Recommendation: Disabled

Smart Card Helper - provides support for earlier smart card readers attached to the computer. As above.
Recommendation: Disabled

SNMP Service - allows incoming (Simple Network Management Protocol) SNMP requests to be serviced by the local computer.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

SNMP Trap Service - receives trap messages generated by local or remote SNMP agents and forwards the messages to SNMP management programs running on the computer.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

SSDP Discovery Service - Used to locate UPnP devices on your home network. Used in conjunction with Universal Plug and Play Device Host, it detects and configures UPnP devices on your home network. For security reasons Disable this service. Please read the section in the guide on UPnP. Please note that even the FBI recommends disabling and preferably deinstalling this!!
Recommendation: Disabled for security reasons, better still removed totally as per the Steve Gibson instructions in the UPnP section.

System Event Notification - tracks system events such as Windows logon network and power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events. SENS is an AutoStarted service that depends on COM+ EventSystem service.
Recommendation: Disabled

System Restore Service - Creates system snap shots or restore points for returning to at a later time. Big resource overhead! Forget about it!
Recommendation: Disabled

Task Scheduler - enables a program to run at a designated time. Can be very dangerous. If you must run scheduled tasks then consider disabling all users other than administrator from running tasks. Can create major security problems and allow a hacker to comprimise your system by scheduling trojans to run.
Recommends: Disabled unless absolutely required

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service - enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution. Only required if you need to share files with others.
Recommendation: Disabled

TCP/IP Printer Server - Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Used for setting up a local UNIX print server. If you do not need this function, leave it uninstalled.
Recommendation: Leave not installed or Disabled

Telephony - provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP-based voice connections on the local computer and through the LAN on servers that are also running the service. If you never use a dial-up modem on a PC but connect via a router then disable.
Recommendation: Automatic (if using Dial-Up Networking/Faxing/ or PC Phone Services) Disabled otherwise

Telnet - Not available on Windows XP Home and for good reason!! allows a remote user to log on to the system and run console programs by using the command line. Very dangerous. .
Recommendation: Disabled, preferably deinstall

Terminal Services - provides a multisession environment that allows client devices to access a virtual Windows 2000 Professional desktop session and Windows-based programs running on the server. Big security risk!
Recommendation: Disabled, preferably deinstall

Themes - Used to display all those new XP themes and colors on your desktop. Lots of space needed.
Recommendation: Disabled

Uninterruptible Power Supply - manages communications with a UPS connected to the computer by a serial port.
Recommendation: Disabled

Universal Plug and Play Device Host - Used in conjunction with SSDP Discovery Service, it detects and configures UPnP devices on your home network. For security reasons Disable this service immediately.Please read the section in the guide on UPnP. Please note that even the FBI recommends disabling and preferably deinstalling this!!
Recommendation: Disabled for security reasons, better still removed totally as per the Steve Gibson instructions in the UPnP section.

Upload Manager - As with BITS, this service manages file transfers between clients and servers on the network. This service is NOT required for basic File and Print sharing.
Recommendation: Disabled

Volume Shadow Copy - Used in conjunction with the MS Software Shadow Copy Provider Service. Microsoft Backup uses these services.
Recommendation: Disabled

WebClient - Disable this for security reasons.
Recommendation: Disabled

Windows Audio - This service is Required if you wish to hear any audio at all. If your computer does not have a sound card, Disable this service.
Recommendation: Automatic unless you do not have a sound card, then set it to Disabled.

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) - Used for some scanners and cameras. If, after Disabling this service, your scanner or camera fails to function properly, enable this service.
Recommendation: Disabled

Windows Installer - installs, repairs, or removes software according to instructions contained in .MSI files provided with the applications
Recommendation: Manual

Windows Management Instrumentation - provides system management information. WMI is an infrastructure for building management applications and instrumentation shipped as an integral part of the current generation of Microsoft operating systems.
Recommendation: Automatic

Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extension - Not available on Windows XP Home. Tracks of all of the drivers that have registered WMI information to publish.
Recommendation: Manual

Windows Time - sets the computer clock. W32Time maintains date and time synchronization on all computers running on a Microsoft Windows network. NTP can be dangerous. Not worth the risk.
Recommendation: Disabled

Wireless Zero Configuration - Automatic configuration for wireless network devices. If you do not have any wireless network devices in use, Disable this service.
Recommendation: Disabled

WMI Performance Adapter - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers. I have not found a use for this service. Save the 2.5 MB to 6 MB of memory, this service consumes.
Recommendation: Disabled

Workstation - provides network connections and communications. If this service is turned off, no network connections can be made to remote computers using Microsoft Networks. Use if you require drive-mapping connections to other Windows PC's.
Recommendation : Disabled, Automatic if required

World Wide Web Publishing Service - Not available on Windows XP Home. Provides HTTP services for applications on the Windows platform. Required if you are running a web server, but consider firewalling such a local web server so it is not visible to the world. Use an ISP web server for greatest security. Most commeon entry point for hackers!
Recommendation : Leave not installed or Disabled


As you can see from the above, not very much is actually needed to keep your Windows XP installation functioning in a home environment. All the enabled services just pose an enormous security risk, bring little or no benefit, consume resources and can be safely turned off.


NOTE: Some services are not listed, I will do my best to discover more and add them to this post.

credits : Kenny

[UID=0]

NOTE: Some services are not listed, I will do my best to discover more and add them to this post.

credits : Kenny

Ahem! Please just take a look at existing threads, before you post duplicates!

I can't say that I may have covered all of those same services there, as I didn't read through it all, but I recognized more than a few there.

This is a link to a guide - Parts 1 and 2, that I posted here on the 6th of this month.

http://www.supportforums.net/showthread.php?tid=317

[mon3yexploit]

Ahem! Please just take a look at existing threads, before you post duplicates!

I can't say that I may have covered all of those same services there, as I didn't read through it all, but I recognized more than a few there.

This is a link to a guide - Parts 1 and 2, that I posted here on the 6th of this month.

http://www.supportforums.net/showthread.php?tid=317

from what i see this covers more, and gives user recommendations,

yours, only has a short list of what to disable. Mine is more for a full clean.

[immi]

Nice, its a huge tutorial,

I saved this for offline study .

Thankx for sharing

[UID=0]

from what i see this covers more, and gives user recommendations,

yours, only has a short list of what to disable. Mine is more for a full clean.

So, where shall I start with this reply?

Yes, it is true, that this list from you/Kenny covers more. I'm not denying that.

In fact, there are a total of 88 services there, as I took the trouble to count them all this time!

Very well, it gives user recommendations, whereas I thought it best, to leave others to make up their own minds,
because not everybody would want to disable Windows Audio, for example, from your/Kenny's list.

Mine is a 'short list' you claim.

Are you joking here?

It is 'shor-ter', that's all!

There are 59 services listed in total, in my thread, which is not just a list, as it actually explains how to disable the services listed,
including services that may otherwise have run at least 13 instances of the svchost.exe program,
and that was just the first section! There could possibly have been more with the second.
I don't know if you took the trouble, to scroll about half way down the page, to see part 2 of the total list.

http://www.supportforums.net/showthread.php?tid=317

In the thread that you posted, your/Kenny's list, just does not really explain how to disable any of these services at all,
so may not really be that helpful, for those people, and there possibly may be some, who would have read that, but not really known how to disable the services listed!
It just includes a vague hint, that these services, can be accessed via the Windows XP services control panel,
but doesn't really explain how to access it, from the point of view of somebody with linited or little experience of using PC's.

Bearing that point in mind, with my guide, I actually explain, how to disable these services, in a way, that even the most inexperienced PC user could follow,
because I realise that there will be certain people who will need to be provided with clearly written instructions, as many people may not use English as their first language.
I have often found, that many supposed guides on the web do not do that and have often been pretty unclear,
or written by somebody, who's primary language, may not be English and may leave something out, or not really explain it in the most effective manner.

This thread includes a list of 44 services, that were duplicated in your thread, as follows:

Duplicated services

Alerter
Application Layer Gateway Service
Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Clipbook
Computer Browser
Error Report Service
Telephony
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
Indexing Service
Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Network Connections
Network DDE
Network DDE DSDM
Network Location Awareness [NLA]
NT LM Security Support Provider
Performance Logs and Alerts
Portable Media serial No. Service
Print Spooler
QoS RSVP
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Remote Desktop Help session Manager
Remote Procedure Call [RPC] Locator
Remote Registry
Removable Storage
Routing and Remote Access
Smart Card
SSDP Discovery Service
Task scheduler
Telephony
Telnet
Terminal Services
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Volume Shadow Copy
Windows Image Acquisition [WIA]
Windows Installer
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration
WMI Performance Adapter
Workstation


44 Services in total, which I don't believe is that short a list at all!

Also, I'm not saying that you actually copied anything of mine here,
I want to make that clear, the point that I was trying to make, was had you taken the time to search existing threads before posting this thread,
then you may have seen what I had already posted, and amended your thread accordingly,
as I'm sure that nobody would want to see a forum anywhere, filled with duplicated threads/posts.

Plus, I went through every one of the 59 services in my thread, by going to Start, then Run,
then launched the services.msc application to check through them all myself.

Did you do that, or did you just copy and paste the list without testing them first,
to check out what the dependencies might be, in every case, for every service?
I see that it says at the top of the page that every service has been reviewed,
but I'm not sure if you took the time or trouble to go through all of those services yourself.

I did that, because I don't just rely upon user recommendations, or what somebody ekse has posted somewhere else,
because I need to check these things out for myself, especially if I plan on posting a thread, suggesting that others should do the same!

Also, I'm not quite sure why you don't choose to break up such a large amount of text, with differently colored headings etc, as it would look somewhat better.
But I guess that is up to you, to choose to do that or not.

Also, when you mention that your/Kenny's guide, caters for a 'full clean',
I can't really see how that can be all that significant, because when you really know how,
to keep your OS clean, stripped down, optimized, tweaked and so on, it should, and does work, very much like a fresh installation of Windows!

In conclusion, once again, with my guide, I actually explain, how to disable these services, in a way, that even the most inexperienced PC user could follow,
because I realise that there will be certain people who may read a thread such as this, but will really not know exactly how to disable these services,
as I believe that this is a more helpful method of wrting a guide, rather than just providing a large list, with a vague hint as to how to access the services mentioned.

I'm wondering now, about what you may think about my reply this time,
and will be sure to check back here to find out.

[mon3yexploit]

So, where shall I start with this reply?

Yes, it is true, that this list from you/Kenny covers more. I'm not denying that.

In fact, there are a total of 88 services there, as I took the trouble to count them all this time!

Very well, it gives user recommendations, whereas I thought it best, to leave others to make up their own minds,
because not everybody would want to disable Windows Audio, for example, from your/Kenny's list.

Mine is a 'short list' you claim.

Are you joking here?

It is 'shor-ter', that's all!

There are 59 services listed in total, in my thread, which is not just a list, as it actually explains how to disable the services listed,
including services that may otherwise have run at least 13 instances of the svchost.exe program,
and that was just the first section! There could possibly have been more with the second.
I don't know if you took the trouble, to scroll about half way down the page, to see part 2 of the total list.

http://www.supportforums.net/showthread.php?tid=317

In the thread that you posted, your/Kenny's list, just does not really explain how to disable any of these services at all,
so may not really be that helpful, for those people, and there possibly may be some, who would have read that, but not really known how to disable the services listed!
It just includes a vague hint, that these services, can be accessed via the Windows XP services control panel,
but doesn't really explain how to access it, from the point of view of somebody with linited or little experience of using PC's.

Bearing that point in mind, with my guide, I actually explain, how to disable these services, in a way, that even the most inexperienced PC user could follow,
because I realise that there will be certain people who will need to be provided with clearly written instructions, as many people may not use English as their first language.
I have often found, that many supposed guides on the web do not do that and have often been pretty unclear,
or written by somebody, who's primary language, may not be English and may leave something out, or not really explain it in the most effective manner.

This thread includes a list of 44 services, that were duplicated in your thread, as follows:

Duplicated services

Alerter
Application Layer Gateway Service
Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Clipbook
Computer Browser
Error Report Service
Telephony
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
Indexing Service
Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Network Connections
Network DDE
Network DDE DSDM
Network Location Awareness [NLA]
NT LM Security Support Provider
Performance Logs and Alerts
Portable Media serial No. Service
Print Spooler
QoS RSVP
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Remote Desktop Help session Manager
Remote Procedure Call [RPC] Locator
Remote Registry
Removable Storage
Routing and Remote Access
Smart Card
SSDP Discovery Service
Task scheduler
Telephony
Telnet
Terminal Services
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Volume Shadow Copy
Windows Image Acquisition [WIA]
Windows Installer
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration
WMI Performance Adapter
Workstation


44 Services in total, which I don't believe is that short a list at all!

Also, I'm not saying that you actually copied anything of mine here,
I want to make that clear, the point that I was trying to make, was had you taken the time to search existing threads before posting this thread,
then you may have seen what I had already posted, and amended your thread accordingly,
as I'm sure that nobody would want to see a forum anywhere, filled with duplicated threads/posts.

Plus, I went through every one of the 59 services in my thread, by going to Start, then Run,
then launched the services.msc application to check through them all myself.

Did you do that, or did you just copy and paste the list without testing them first,
to check out what the dependencies might be, in every case, for every service?
I see that it says at the top of the page that every service has been reviewed,
but I'm not sure if you took the time or trouble to go through all of those services yourself.

I did that, because I don't just rely upon user recommendations, or what somebody ekse has posted somewhere else,
because I need to check these things out for myself, especially if I plan on posting a thread, suggesting that others should do the same!

Also, I'm not quite sure why you don't choose to break up such a large amount of text, with differently colored headings etc, as it would look somewhat better.
But I guess that is up to you, to choose to do that or not.

Also, when you mention that your/Kenny's guide, caters for a 'full clean',
I can't really see how that can be all that significant, because when you really know how,
to keep your OS clean, stripped down, optimized, tweaked and so on, it should, and does work, very much like a fresh installation of Windows!

In conclusion, once again, with my guide, I actually explain, how to disable these services, in a way, that even the most inexperienced PC user could follow,
because I realise that there will be certain people who may read a thread such as this, but will really not know exactly how to disable these services,
as I believe that this is a more helpful method of wrting a guide, rather than just providing a large list, with a vague hint as to how to access the services mentioned.

I'm wondering now, about what you may think about my reply this time,
and will be sure to check back here to find out.

Ah yes the tutorial on how to- disable/manual/auto a service. I thought about that, But i also thought that if i was to provide information on how to disable a service, that would cause a risk for users that are inexperienced with the computer.

EX: Lets say someone who is incompatible of knowing how to properly maintain a computer, and they read this thread, and decide to try this because they think it will make their slow computer faster, They would go through and just start doing every recommendation, and that would cause a cluster fudge in their computer.

So i chose not to teach the how-to part, simply for reducing the chances of having a young user screw up his computer, and getting in trouble by his parents causing him to be restricted next time he gets on his computer.


Also i did not read the post connected to your thread. Only kept in mind the main thing, which was the actual thread.

I did not use color etc, because i am consumed with hours of work, and used up time away from my computer. I am not able to get on here like everyone else and teach about non-important things.

Also currently working on an ebook, subjects of/ computers/life/random knowledge that will be helpful to most.

But i am glad that you are dedicated and able to post a big reply to this thread, concerning yours. shows you got some semi sized balls over this forum.

[InsideSin]

Why don't you guys just add a link to both of your tutorials? Or get a mod to. It'll be useful for this tut because then users who want to disable them without risking using potentially wrong info from google can use the instructions in UID's tut. UID could add a link to your tut for a more detailed explanation.

Problem (mostly) solved?

[mon3yexploit]

Why don't you guys just add a link to both of your tutorials? Or get a mod to. It'll be useful for this tut because then users who want to disable them without risking using potentially wrong info from google can use the instructions in UID's tut. UID could add a link to your tut for a more detailed explanation.

Problem (mostly) solved?

Well, It does not matter to me really, all i am worried about is typing up my book.

If this is such a problem, Then have the users of supportforums vote on what they want. Personally i don't see anything wrong with either thread being up. But i would like both threads being up to not be a problem.

One thing i look for in life is problem solving if you can solve all your problems, then you have not much to worry about.

Info ME: on all ideas for this topic.

[UID=0]

Why don't you guys just add a link to both of your tutorials? Or get a mod to. It'll be useful for this tut because then users who want to disable them without risking using potentially wrong info from google can use the instructions in UID's tut. UID could add a link to your tut for a more detailed explanation.

Problem (mostly) solved?

Add a link?

How can I add a link to something that I wrote myself?

Well, ultimately, the actual credit for the information itself, but only as far as the descriptions of the services are concerned,
would have to go to Microsoft, seeing as they wrote those words in the first place!
Plus I don't really see, how much more detailed they could be, as the descriptions of the services, come directly from the services.msc, control panel itself!

Because those descriptions, are so obviously from Microsoft, I didn't feel the need to include a link, (maybe I should have), but I don't really think so.

That could be like me saying, 'I use Windows XP, by the way, this product is from Microsoft and here's a link to them', I believe lt is that obvious!

Most people here are smart enough to know that fact anyway.

The rest I wrote myself and it was not copied and pasted from somewhere else.

Maybe you have not been here long enough to know, that copying and pasting is something that I have never done,
here, nor anywhere else, nor will ever do, and if and when I do that, then you can be certain that there will be a link included,
to whatever source of information that I may include!

I see no need to get a mod involved, to look at this, as I have already done that in any case, but for a different reason than what you may think.

---

Ah yes the tutorial on how to- disable/manual/auto a service. I thought about that, But i also thought that if i was to provide information on how to disable a service, that would cause a risk for users that are inexperienced with the computer.

EX: Lets say someone who is incompatible of knowing how to properly maintain a computer, and they read this thread, and decide to try this because they think it will make their slow computer faster, They would go through and just start doing every recommendation, and that would cause a cluster fudge in their computer.

So i chose not to teach the how-to part, simply for reducing the chances of having a young user screw up his computer, and getting in trouble by his parents causing him to be restricted next time he gets on his computer.

One thing that I am always very careful about, is making certain, that I always include warnings etc, in my threads,
minimising any risk of possible damage caused because of user inexperience!

Also, Kenny, who you credited in your thread, included a warning as well,
so if you do decide to include any how-to parts in future, then you could always cover yourself, if you are not exactly certain about anything,
by including a warning, suggesting that inexperienced users should take care when completeing any tasks that they may not be sure about.

Here's a brief example from the thread I posted:

[Note: It may be a good idea, to make a note of any changes that you make. then if you do experience any problems, you can always
reset the changes back to their original settings quite simply].
.
Additionally:

[Also, if in any doubt at all, you can always leave the currently running Service as it is].

Also i did not read the post connected to your thread. Only kept in mind the main thing, which was the actual thread.

I did not use color etc, because i am consumed with hours of work, and used up time away from my computer. I am not able to get on here like everyone else and teach about non-important things.

OK, fair enough, if you don't have time to include colors etc, then I understand that,
but just including a simple color here and there, can really stress a point made!
It doesn't take that much longer either, depending on how many colors you include.

For example:

[Make sure you do not, change any settings that you are uncertain about, as it could lead to system instability].

Adding just colored headings for example, may not take that long, depending on how many headings there are, but doing what I did,
in my second reply to this thread, did take a little while, as there were quite a few colors, highlighted here and there.

Just by highlighting those words there, it can really reinforce the suggestion imo,
as it makes the word stand out, and can be just as important as the information that you include.

I also believe, that this method of using color, could be quite helpful for people who may not use English as their first language.

Also currently working on an ebook, subjects of/ computers/life/random knowledge that will be helpful to most.

Good luck with that project.

But i am glad that you are dedicated and able to post a big reply to this thread, concerning yours. shows you got some semi sized balls over this forum.

Thank you for the feedback, but I don't think that I would go as far as to say that for the second point,
as there are many others here, who carry a lot more weight than I do...;)