Optimize Vista by Disabling Unused, Unneeded or Unnecessary Windows Services
Like in Windows XP, when Windows Vista is installed, Microsoft configure the operating system to enable and turn on background services based on the default recommended settings for Windows Vista services. However, not all of these running processes in background are been used, needed, critical or necessary. To free up and conserve memory, reduce RAM usage and CPU resources, some of these services can be stopped and disabled. By turning off some background processes, Windows Vista can be optimized to be more responsive and speed up, especially in system with lesser memory.
To disable any of the services in Windows Vista, simply press Windows + R keyboard shortcuts (equivalent with pressing Start button and then click Run), and then type services.msc into the Run textbox. Hit Enter and Services window which allows user to manage services will appear. Double click on the service which the startup type setting you want to modify to bring its properties window. Set the Startup type to Disabled in the drop down list, and then press OK. If you want to play safe, the Startup type can be set to Manual. Manual setting will cause the services do not start when Windows boots up, and only be started when they’re needed. Nevertheless, the service will still be launched, so to disable permanently, the Startup type has to set to Disabled.
Further down the page is a list is more than 130 services that exist in Windows Vista, with their description. It’s best to read and understand what each service means before deciding on how to optimize the Vista system. But, depending on which Vista edition you’re using, not all services listed below will appear in the system Services configuration. Only machine running Windows Vista Ultimate likely to see all entries from the list.
To speed up and optimize Windows Vista for performance and responsiveness, the following services can generally be able to disable without affecting functionality of Windows Vista for average or common users, as long as you don’t use the functions or devices that depends on the services. Check end of the page for full description and dependencies. It should not been applied to computers on domain or corporate network before you understand what tasks are performing by each of the services. Beside, if the service hasn’t been started when you check on it, it’s not necessary to disable it as it makes no different to system resources used, since non-starting process use no processing power and memory.
Application Management
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Base Filtering Engine
Block Level Backup Engine Service
Certificate Propagation
COM+ Event System
Computer Browser
Diagnostic Policy Service
Diagnostic System Host
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Fax
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Human Interface Device Access
IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
IP Helper
IPSec Policy Agent
KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Messenger Sharing Folders USN Journal Reader Service
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service
Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider
Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service
Network Access Protection Agent
Network List Service
Network Location Awareness
Offline Files
Parental Controls
PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator
Portable Device Enumerator Service
Print Spooler
Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Quality Windows Audio Video Experience
ReadyBoost
Remote Access Connection Manager
Remote Registry
Routing and Remote Access
Secondary Logon
Security Center
Server
Shell Hardware Detection
SL UI Notification Service
Smart Card
Smart Card Removal Policy
SNMP Trap
SSDP Discovery
Superfetch
Tablet PC Input Service
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telephony
Terminal Services
UPnP Device Host
Volume Shadow Copy
WebClient
Windows Backup
Windows Defender
Windows Error Reporting Service
Windows Firewall
Windows Image Acquisition
Windows Media Center Extender Service
Windows Media Center Receiver Service
Windows Media Center Scheduler Service
Windows Media Center Service Launcher
Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
Windows Search
Windows Time
WinHTTP WebProxy Auto-Discovery Service
Virtual Disk
Volume Shadow Copy
Wired AutoConfig
For those who doesn’t use Windows Aero theme, the following services can be disabled:
Application Experience
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
For those who doesn’t use any themes in Windows Vista, the following services can be disabled:
Application Experience
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
Windows Themes
Windows Vista Services configuration is not absolute. Each users can have their own optimum configuration. Thus, there are plenty of lists which suggest and recommend “safe” settings, or optimal settings based on the functionality of the Vista system, whether it’s laptop or desktop, been used as network server or not, or been used by average users or geeks. Check out the recommendations at Black Viper and TweakHound.
List of All Available Services in Windows Vista with Default Startup Type Settings
Application Experience (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Processes application compatibility cache requests for applications when they are launched.
Application Information (svchost.exe) – Manual • Helps interactive applications run with additional administrative privileges. Needed by apps such as Services and RegEdit. If disable, user has to boot into Safe Mode to enable again as Services applet is not accessible.
Application Layer Gateway Service (alg.exe) – Manual • Provides support for third-party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Windows Firewall.
Application Management (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove. Use for group policy or IntelliMirror for corporate centralized management.
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (svchost.exe) – Manual • Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data. Use by Windows Update or MSN Explorer which no longer able to automatically download program or other information when disabled. However, if you’re using Windows Update, the service will automatically and set as Automatic (Delayed Start).
Base Filtering Engine (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Manages firewall and Internet Protocol security (IPsec) policies and implements user mode filtering. Stopping or disabling the BFE service will reduce system security and cause unpredictable behavior in IPsec management and firewall applications. No necessary if there is other firewall system.
Block Level Backup Engine Service (wbengine.exe) – Manual • Performs block-level backup and recovery of data.
Certificate Propagation (svchost.exe) – Manual • Propagates certificates from smart cards. Not needed if don’t use smart cards.
CNG Key Isolation (lsass.exe) – Manual • Service stores and uses long-lived private keys and associated cryptographic operations in a secure process.
COM+ Event System (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing component object model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications.
COM+ System Application (dllhost.exe) – Manual • Manages the configuration and tracking of components based on COM+. If the service is stopped, most components based on COM+ will not function properly.
Computer Browser (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. Not needed if there is no other computer in the network.
Cryptographic Services (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides four management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; Automatic Root Certificate Update Service, which retrieves root certificates from Windows Update; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. Windows Update will automatically set this service to Manual even if it has been set to Disabled.
DCOM Server Process Launcher (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides launch functionality for distributed component object model (DCOM) services. DCOM allows COM components to communicate over networks.
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager (dfsr.exe) – Automatic • Provides startup and maintenance services for the Desktop Window Manager, which is the windowing system that enables Windows Aero.
DFS Replication (dfsr.exe) – Automatic • Replicates files among multiple PCs and keeps them synchronized.
DHCP Client (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Manages network configuration by registering and updating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and Domain Name System (DNS) names. Can be disabled if you’re static IP address.
Diagnostic Policy Service (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enables detection of problems, troubleshooting, and problem resolution for Windows components. If the service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function.
Diagnostic Service Host (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables detection of problems, troubleshooting, and problem resolution for Windows components. If the service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function.
Diagnostic System Host (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables detection of problems, troubleshooting, and problem resolution for Windows components. If the service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function.
Distributed Link Tracking Client (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network domain.
Distributed Transaction Coordinator (msdtc.exe) – Manual • Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and filesystems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will not occur.
DNS Client (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Resolves and caches DNS names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers.
Extensible Authentication Protocol (svchost.exe) – Manual • The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication for 802.1x wired and wireless, Virtual Private Network (VPN), and Network Access Protection (NAP). It also provides APIs used by network access clients, including wireless and VPN clients, during the authentication process. If you disable the service, the PC cannot access networks that require EAP authentication.
Fax (fxssvc.exe) – Manual • Enables you to send and receive faxes, utilizing fax resources available on this computer or on the network.
Function Discovery Provider Host (svchost.exe) – Manual • The Host process for Function Discovery providers, which allows resources to be discovered over the network.
Function Discovery Resource Publication (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Make information available to the computer and its attached resources so that they can be discovered over the network. If the service is stopped, network resources will no longer be published and they will not be discovered by other computers on the network.
Group Policy Client (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Applies settings configured by administrators for the computer and users through Group Policy. If the service is stopped or disabled, applications and components will not be manageable through Group Policy. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not work if the service is stopped or disabled.
Health Key and Certificate Management (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides X.509 certificate and key management services for the Network Access Protection Agent. Enforcement technologies that use X.509 certificates may not function properly without the service.
Human Interface Device Access (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HIDs), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. Avoid disabling this service if you’re using high-tech mouse or keyboard.
Idwlog Service – Automatic • Use in internet Windows build.
IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Module (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Modules used for authentication and key exchange in Internet Protocol security (IPsec). Stopping or disabling the service will disable IKE and AuthIP key exchange with peer computers. Disable this will decrease RAM utilization and improve network performance, but reduce network security.
Interactive Services Detection (UI0Detect.exe) – Manual • Enables notification of user input for interactive services. This enables access to dialogs created by interactive services when they appear. If the service is stopped, notifications of new interactive service dialogs will no longer function. If the service is disabled, both notifications of and access to new interactive service dialogs will no longer function.
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (svchost.exe) – Disabled • Provides Network Address Translation (NAT), addressing, name resolution, and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small-office network. In other words, allow multiple PCs to access Internet by attaching to one computer with ICS enabled.
IP Helper (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides automatic IPv6 connectivity over an IPv4 network. If the service is stopped, the PC will only have IPv6 connectivity if it is connected to a native IPv6 network. Less common currently as low popularity of IPv6. Disable will improve network performance and decrease RAM usage.
IPsec Policy Agent (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enforces IPsec policies created through the IP Security Policies Snap-in or the command-line tool netsh ipsec. If you stop the service, you may experience network connectivity issues if your policy requires that connections use IPsec. Remote management of the Windows Firewall will not be available if the service is stopped. Disable will improve network performance and decrease RAM usage, but affect negatively network performance.
KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Coordinates transactions between MSDTC and the Kernel Transaction Manager (KTM). Disable if both MSDTC and KTM is not used.
Link-Layer Topology Discovery (Mapper svchost.exe) – Manual • Creates the Network Map in the Network and Sharing Center. If this service is disabled, the Network Map will not function properly.
Messenger Sharing Folders USN Journal Reader • Installed if Windows Live Messenger is installed. Disable if don’t use Messenger Live’s sharing folders.
Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN (mscorsvw.exe) – Manual • Microsoft .NET Framework native image generator (NGEN).
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service (svchost.exe) – Manual • Manages Internet SCSI (iSCSI) sessions from the computer to remote iSCSI target devices. If the service is stopped, this computer will not be able to log in or access iSCSI targets.
Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider (dllhost.exe) – Manual • Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed, and will have a negative impact on system redundancy.
Multimedia Class Scheduler (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Used mainly by multimedia applications, this service enables relative prioritization of work based on system-wide task priorities. If the service is stopped, individual tasks resort to their default priority. Requires by Windows audio to give higher priority to multimedia applications.
Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service (SMSvcHost.exe) – Disabled • Provides ability to share TCP ports over the net.tcp protocol. .NET applications that use this service will be affected if disabled.
Netlogon (lsass.exe) – Manual • Maintains a secure channel between the PC and the domain controller for authenticating users and services. If the service is stopped, the computer may not authenticate users and services and the domain controller cannot register DNS records.
Network Access Protection Agent (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables NAP functionality, which allows network administrators to set security requirements for computers that want to connect to a network.
Network Connections (svchost.exe) – Manual • Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder.
Network List Service (svchost.exe) – Manual • Identifies the networks to which the computer has connected, collects and stores properties for these networks, and notifies applications when these properties change. If disabled, the network icon in system tray (notification area) won’t be able to tell if network is connected, although the network connection won’t be affected. Disable if not connected to a LAN with multiple computers or if don’t share files or printers through LAN.
Network Location Awareness (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Collects and stores configuration information for the network and notifies programs when the information is modified. If the service is stopped, configuration information might be unavailable. Disable if not connected to a LAN with multiple computers or if don’t share files or printers through LAN.
Network Store Interface Service (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Delivers network notifications to clients. Stopping the service will cause loss of network connectivity.
Offline Files (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Performs maintenance activities on the Offline Files cache, responds to user logon and logoff events, implements the internals of the public API, and dispatches interesting events to those interested in Offline Files activities and changes in cache state. Disable if not connecting to domain or use only local profiles.
Parental Controls (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables Parental Controls. If the service is not running, Parental Controls will not work.
Peer Name Resolution Protocol (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables Serverless Peer Name Resolution over the Internet. If disabled, some Peer-to-Peer and Collaborative applications, such as Windows Meetings, may not function.
Peer Networking Identity Manager (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides Identity service for Peer Networking.
Performance Logs & Alerts (svchost.exe) – Manual • Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If this service is stopped, performance information will not be collected.
Plug and Play (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.
PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator (svchost.exe) – Manual • Manages the virtual network bus. It discovers network-connected devices using the SSDP/WS discovery protocols and gives them presence in PnP. If this service is stopped or disabled, presence of NCD devices will not be maintained in PnP.
PNRP Machine Name Publication Service (svchost.exe) – Manual • Publishes a machine name using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol.
Portable Device Enumerator Service (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enforces group policy for removable mass-storage devices. Enables applications such as Windows Media Player and the Image Import Wizard to transfer and synchronize content using removable mass-storage devices. Disable if don’t need to synchronize data with removable storage such as mp3 players. Anyway, the setting will not affect third party applications such as iTunes, but only applications using this service such as Windows Media Player.
Print Spooler (spoolsv.exe) – Automatic • Loads files to memory for later printing. If disabled, user may still be able to print, but need to wait the printing job to finish before able to use computer again.
Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides support for viewing, sending, and deleting system-level problem reports for the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel.
Program Compatibility Assistant Service (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides support for the Program Compatibility Assistant. If this service is stopped, the Program Compatibility Assistant will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that depend on it will fail to start.
Protected Storage (lsass.exe) – Manual • Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.
Quality Windows Audio Video Experience (qWave) (svchost.exe) – Manual • A networking platform for Audio Video (AV) streaming applications on IP home networks. qWave enhances AV streaming performance and reliability by ensuring network quality of service (QoS) for AV applications. The technology is not wide-spread yet, and can be disabled.
ReadyBoost (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides support for improving system performance using ReadyBoost. Disable if don’t have USB flash drive or don’t use this feature.
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager (svchost.exe) – Manual • Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.
Remote Access Connection Manager (svchost.exe) – Manual • Creates a network connection. Disable if don’t use dial-up connections and VPN-networks.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator (locator.exe) – Manual • Manages the RPC name service database.
Remote Registry (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables remote users to modify Registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, only users on this computer can modify the Registry. Use mostly in corporate network.
Routing and Remote Access (svchost.exe) – Disabled • Offers routing services to businesses in local- and wide-area network environments. Disable if don’t need to route network data within a LAN or WAN.
Secondary Logon (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. Some application may need this service, such as Postgres. Disable if simultaneous logon to 2 users is needed.
Security Accounts Manager (lsass.exe) – Automatic • Stores security information for local user accounts.
Security Center (svchost.exe) – Automatic (Delayed Start) • Monitors system security settings and configurations. Disable will stop all security warnings.
Server (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable, affecting file and printer sharing through LAN.
Shell Hardware Detection (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides notifications for AutoPlay hardware events. Disable to remove auto play functionality on removable media.
SL UI Notification Service (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides Software Licensing activation and notification. Manually run the service when needed for activation or other software licensing issues.
Smart Card (svchost.exe) – Manual • Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to read smart cards.
Smart Card Removal Policy (svchost.exe) – Manual • Allows the system to be configured to lock the user desktop upon smart card removal.
SNMP Trap (Snmptrap.exe) – Manual • Receives trap messages generated by local or remote Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agents and forwards the messages to SNMP management programs running on this computer. If this service is stopped, SNMP-based programs on this computer will not receive SNMP trap messages.
Software Licensing (slsvc.exe) – Automatic • Enables the download, installation, and enforcement of digital licenses for Windows and Windows applications. If the service is disabled, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a reduced function mode.
SSDP Discovery Service (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.
Superfetch (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Maintains and improves system performance over time.
System Event Notification (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events.
Tablet PC Input Service (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enables Tablet PC pen and ink functionality. Mostly for Tablet PC use.
Task Scheduler (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. If this service is stopped, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution. Modern network rarely need this service.
Telephony (svchost.exe) – Manual • 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. Disable if don’t use dial-up connections.
Terminal Services (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Allows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of Desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server. Disable if not using Remote Desktop, and it’s not needed to remotely connect to another computer. Disable this service will improve system security.
Terminal Services Configuration (svchost.exe) – Manual • Responsible for all Terminal Services and Remote Desktop-related configuration and session maintenance activities that require SYSTEM context.
Terminal Services UserMode Port Redirector (svchost.exe) – Manual • Allows the redirection of printers/drives/ports for RDP connections.
Themes (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides user experience theme management.
Thread Ordering Server (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides ordered execution for a group of threads within a specific period of time.
TPM Base Services (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enables access to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which provides hardware-based cryptographic services to system components and applications. If this service is stopped or disabled, applications will be unable to use keys protected by the TPM.
Universal Plug and Play Device Host (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.
User Profile Service (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Responsible for loading and unloading user profiles. If this service is stopped or disabled, users will no longer be able to successfully log on or log off, applications may have problems getting to users’ data, and components registered to receive profile event notifications will not receive them.
Virtual Disk (vds.exe) – Manual • Provides management services for disks, volumes, filesystems, and hardware array objects such as subsystems, controllers, and so on. Set as manual if don’t use Disk Management in the Computer Management console. It can be started manually at any time when need to use Disk Management.
Volume Shadow Copy (vssvc.exe) – Manual • Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. Disable this service will have a negative impact on system redundancy.
WebClient (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available.
Windows Audio (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Manages audio devices for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly.
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Manages audio devices for the Windows Audio service. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly.
Windows Backup (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides Windows Backup and Restore capabilities.
Windows CardSpace (infocard.exe) – Manual • Securely enables the creation, management, and disclosure of digital identities.
Windows Color System (svchost.exe) – Manual • Hosts third-party Windows Color System color device model and gamut map model plug-in modules.
Windows Connect Now – Config Registrar (svchost.exe) – Manual • Acts as a registrar; issues network credential to enrollee.
Windows Defender (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Scans your computer for unwanted software, schedules scans, and gets the latest unwanted software definitions. Can be stopped if user has another anti-spyware application. Entry in registry needs to be removed too to avoid “Unable to Start” error message. Run ‘msconfig’, click on Startup tab and uncheck Windows Defender.
Windows Error Reporting Service (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Allows errors to be reported when programs stop working or responding and allows existing solutions to be delivered. Also allows logs to be generated for diagnostic and repair services. If this service is stopped, error reporting might not work correctly and results of diagnostic services and repairs might not be displayed.
Windows Event Collector (svchost.exe) – Manual • Manages persistent subscriptions to events from remote sources that support the WS-Management protocol. This includes Windows Vista event logs, hardware, and IPMI-enabled event sources. If this service is stopped or disabled, event subscriptions cannot be created and forwarded events cannot be accepted.
Windows Event Log (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Manages events and event logs. It supports logging events, querying events, subscribing to events, archiving event logs, and managing event metadata. It can display events in both XML and plain-text formats. Stopping this service may compromise security and reliability of the system.
Windows Firewall (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. Not needed if another firewall exists.
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) (svchost.exe) – Manual • Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras. Can be disabled if don’t have both gadgets.
Windows Installer (msiexec.exe) – Manual • Installs, repairs, and removes software according to instructions contained in .msi files.
Windows Management Instrumentation (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating systems, devices, applications, and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly.
Windows Media Center Extender Service (mcx2svc) – Disabled • Windows Media Center Service to allow connection for Media Center devices such as XBox 360.
Windows Media Center Receiver Service (ehrecvr.exe) – Manual • Windows Media Center Service for TV and FM broadcast reception.
Windows Media Center Scheduler Service (ehsched.exe) – Manual • Starts and stops recording of TV programs within Windows Media Center.
Windows Media Center Service Launcher (svchost.exe) – Automatic (Delayed Start) • Starts Windows Media Center Scheduler and Windows Media Center Receiver services at startup if TV is enabled within Windows Media Center.
Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service (wmpnetwk.exe) – Manual • Shares Windows Media Player libraries with other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play.
Windows Modules Installer (trustedinstaller.exe) – Manual • Enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components. If this service is disabled, you may not be able to install or uninstall Windows updates.
Windows Presentation Foundation Font Cache (presentationfontcache.exe) – Manual • Optimizes performance of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications by caching commonly used font data. WPF applications will start this service if it is not already running. It can be disabled, though doing so will degrade the performance of WPF applications.
Windows Process Activation Service (svchost.exe) • Provides process activation, resource management, and health management services for message-activated applications.
Windows Remote Management (WS-Management) (svchost.exe) – Manual • Implements the WS-Management protocol for remote management, a standard web services protocol used for remote software and hardware management.
Windows Search (searchindexer.exe) – Automatic • Provides content indexing and property caching for file, email, and other content (via extensibility APIs). If the service is stopped or disabled, the Explorer will not be able to display virtual folder views of items, and search in the Explorer will fall back to item-by-item slow search. Used to call Indexing Service. Disable will not affect search function, but search will be perform slower.
Windows Time (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable.
Windows Update (svchost.exe) – Automatic (Delayed Start) • Enables the detection, download, and installation of updates for Windows and other programs. If this service is disabled, users of this computer will not be able to use Windows Update or its automatic updating feature, and programs will not be able to use the Windows Update Agent (WUA) API.
WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service (svchost.exe) – Manual • Implements the client HTTP stack and provides developers with a Win32 API and COM Automation component for sending HTTP requests and receiving responses. In addition, WinHTTP provides support for auto-discovering a proxy configuration via its implementation of the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) protocol. Most applications don’t use this service.
WLAN AutoConfig (svchost.exe) – Manual • Enumerates WLAN adapters, and manages WLAN connections and profiles.
WMI Performance Adapter (wmiapsrv.exe) – Manual • Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.
Workstation (svchost.exe) – Automatic • Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable.
World Wide Web Publishing Service (svchost.exe) • Provides web connectivity and administration through the Internet Information Services Manager.
LK is a technology writer for Tech Journey with background of system and network administrator. He has be documenting his experiences in digital and technology world for over 15 years.Connect with LK through Tech Journey on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
