Introduction
This information is valid for all versions of XP x86 (32-bit) running Service Pack 3. XP Pro x64 (64-bit) Service information and Configurations are also online.Before adjusting your service settings, ensure that you or your system has already installed all updates by "checking now" for any available updates via Windows Update.
I cannot possibly test all configurations extensively (meaning, each persons specific computer needs), but what I can offer is what "works for me" and the obstacles I have came across so you do not have to discover them on your own. If information on this page needs a revision or expanded, please check out the forums.
An * (asterisk) indicates changes from the default.
Two ** (asterisks) indicates changes from Service Pack 2 to Service Pack 3.
Notes for a Happier Computer and User
- Do not use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead! (Why?)
- Before disabling any service, check out the service information about each by selecting the service name links provided.
- If you do not wish to select/change each service by hand, I offer up Service Registry files to adjust them with only a few clicks. Currently, "Default" and "Safe" are available.
- If you wish to create a custom registry file, you can use my Custom Services Registry File Tool.
- Service settings are global, meaning changes apply to all users.
- All of these services are "Standard" with Windows XP after the installation of Service Pack 3. If you discover something other than these listed here running, another program installed them or they were installed with optional updates via Windows Update. Examples of this include .NET services and WMP services. View a listing of the more common ones.
- Still unsure? Put your setting to "Manual" or the listing under "Safe." Manual allows Windows XP to start the service when it needs to (or when ever it feels like it), but not at boot up. Depending on your configuration, not all services will start when required while in "Manual" mode. If you find you need a service, place it in Automatic.
- After adjusting your service settings, reboot your computer.
- If you do not have some of these services listed, do not panic! If your computer manufacture "pre-installed" your XP, they choose not to have certain services installed for you. This is, in most cases, a fact with OEM versions of Windows XP Home.
- Before posting your question on the forums, see if your question has been addressed in the FAQ!
- Disabling all of the "unneeded services" reduces the footprint of the OS by up to 70%, depending on system.
- Viewing Instructions: If the information is hard to read, please check out your viewing options.
Table Header Information
- The columns are sortable. Select the column header to sort by that field.
- Display Name ~ How it displays in the Services Control Panel.
- Service Name ~ What name is used in the registry.
- DEFAULT ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows XP.
- "SAFE" Configuration ~ This is the configuration that 95% of the people will be able to use with little or no side effects. It will also minimize the amount of "errors" that is reported in the Event Viewer. This does not guarantee it will work for you, but if adjusting your services scares you, this configuration would be a good starting point.
- Tweaked Configuration ~ This is the power user setup. This setup is a system that connects through a network (such as a gateway / router) to the internet, provides file and print sharing resources and gaming enjoyment. Some things may not function with this setup. No passwords save. Its use is not for a computer with analog modems or some direct DSL/cable connections. Try the "Safe" Configuration first.
- Bare-bones Configuration ~ This is the super geek setup. This setup is a system that connects through a network (such as a gateway / router) to the internet with a static IP address. This system does not provide file and print sharing resources, nor have the ability to print. Its use is not for a computer with analog modems or many direct DSL/cable connections. You can use this configuration for extreme tweaking and testing purposes. Many things may not function with this setup. No passwords save. The Event Log will display "errors" of not being able to start certain services. Built in Windows CDR-RW functions may no longer work. Please do not ask, "How do I fix" questions while using this configuration. The answer will be "Use SAFE." This information's intention is for my reference only.
Configuration Information
- Automatic ~ With a service in this state, it will start at boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. However, this is very rare. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled.
- Manual ~ Manual mode allows Windows to start a service when needed. However, very few services will start up when required in Manual mode. If you find you need a service, place it into Automatic.
- Disabled ~ This setting will stop a service from starting, even if needed. Errors in the Event Viewer will show up complaining of that fact. Some services, while Disabled, will constantly complain. However, this situation is taken care of if placed in Manual. The service descriptions identifies those that should be in Manual vice Disabled.
- "Started" ~ A service that either set to Manual or Automatic that is running by default at or shortly after boot time.
- "Not Started" ~ A service set into Automatic that is not running by default at or shortly after boot time.
Service Dependency Abbreviation Information
- H ~ Windows XP Home
- M ~ Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
- P ~ Windows XP Pro
- T ~ Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
Black Viper's Windows XP x86 (32-bit) Service Pack 3 Service Configurations
Show and Hide Columns:
- Display Name
- Service Name (Registry)
- DEFAULT Home
- DEFAULT MCE 2005
- DEFAULT Pro
- DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005
- "SAFE"
- Tweaked
- Bare-bones
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alerter | Alerter | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Application Layer Gateway Service | ALG | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Application Management | AppMgmt | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Automatic Updates | wuauserv | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Background Intelligent Transfer Service | BITS | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| ClipBook | ClipSrv | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| COM+ Event System | EventSystem | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| COM+ System Application | COMSysApp | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Computer Browser | Browser | Automatic (Not Started) | Automatic (Not Started) | Automatic (Not Started) | Automatic (Not Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Cryptographic Services | CryptSvc | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| DCOM Server Process Launcher | DcomLaunch | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| DHCP Client | Dhcp | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Distributed Link Tracking Client | TrkWks | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Manual * | Manual * | Disabled * |
| Distributed Transaction Coordinator | MSDTC | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| DNS Client | Dnscache | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Error Reporting Service | ERSvc | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Event Log | Eventlog | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Extensible Authentication Protocol Service ** | EapHost | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Fast User Switching Compatibility | FastUserSwitchingCompatibility | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Fax | Fax | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| FTP Publishing | MSFtpsvc | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Health Key and Certificate Management Service ** | hkmsvc | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Help and Support | helpsvc | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Manual * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| HTTP SSL | HTTPFilter | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual | Manual (Started) | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Human Interface Device Access | HidServ | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| IIS Admin | IISADMIN | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service | ImapiService | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Indexing Service | cisvc | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| IPSEC Services | PolicyAgent | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| IPv6 Helper Service | 6to4 | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Logical Disk Manager | dmserver | Manual | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Manual * | Manual * | Disabled * |
| Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service | dmadmin | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Media Center Receiver Service | ehRecvr | Not Available | Automatic (Started) | Not Available | Not Available | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Media Center Scheduler Service | ehSched | Not Available | Automatic (Started) | Not Available | Not Available | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Message Queuing | MSMQ | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Message Queuing Triggers | MSMQTriggers | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Messenger | Messenger | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| MHN | MHN | Not Available | Manual | Not Available | Not Available | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| MS Software Shadow Copy Provider | SwPrv | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Net Logon | Netlogon | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing | mnmsrvc | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Network Access Protection Agent ** | napagent | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Network Connections | Netman | Manual (Started) | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Network DDE | NetDDE | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Network DDE DSDM | NetDDEdsdm | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Network Location Awareness (NLA) | Nla | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Network Provisioning Service | xmlprov | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| NT LM Security Support Provider | NtLmSsp | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Peer Name Resolution Protocol | PNRPSvc | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Peer Networking | p2psvc | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Peer Networking Group Authentication | p2pgasvc | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Peer Networking Identity Manager | p2pimsvc | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Performance Logs and Alerts | SysmonLog | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Plug and Play | PlugPlay | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Portable Media Serial Number Service | WmdmPmSN | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Print Spooler | Spooler | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Protected Storage | ProtectedStorage | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| QoS RSVP | RSVP | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Remote Access Auto Connection Manager | RasAuto | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Remote Access Connection Manager | RasMan | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Remote Desktop Help Session Manager | RDSessMgr | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Remote Procedure Call (RPC) | RpcSs | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator | RpcLocator | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Remote Registry | RemoteRegistry | Not Available | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Removable Storage | NtmsSvc | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| RIP Listener | Iprip | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Routing and Remote Access | RemoteAccess | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Secondary Logon | seclogon | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Security Accounts Manager | SamSs | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Security Center | wscsvc | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Server | lanmanserver | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Shell Hardware Detection | ShellHWDetection | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) | SMTPSVC | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Simple TCP/IP Services | SimpTcp | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Smart Card | SCardSvr | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| SNMP Service | SNMP | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| SNMP Trap Service | SNMPTRAP | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| SSDP Discovery Service | SSDPSRV | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| System Event Notification | SENS | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| System Restore Service | srservice | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Task Scheduler | Schedule | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service | LmHosts | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| TCP/IP Printer Server | LPDSVC | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
| Telephony | TapiSrv | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Telnet | TlntSvr | Not Available | Disabled | Manual | Disabled | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Terminal Services | TermService | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual (Started) | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Themes | Themes | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Uninterruptible Power Supply | UPS | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Universal Plug and Play Device Host | upnphost | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Volume Shadow Copy | VSS | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| WebClient | WebClient | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Windows Audio | AudioSrv | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Windows Firewall / Internet Connection Sharing | SharedAccess | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Disabled * |
| Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) | stisvc | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Windows Installer | MSIServer | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Windows Management Instrumentation | winmgmt | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extension | Wmi | Not Available | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * |
| Windows Time | W32Time | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Wired AutoConfig ** | Dot3svc | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Display Name | Service Name (Registry) | DEFAULT Home | DEFAULT MCE 2005 | DEFAULT Pro | DEFAULT Tablet PC Edition 2005 | "SAFE" | Tweaked | Bare-bones |
| Wireless Zero Configuration | WZCSVC | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| WMI Performance Adapter | WmiApSrv | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Disabled * | Disabled * | Disabled * |
| Workstation | lanmanworkstation | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| World Wide Web Publishing | w3svc | Not Available | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed | Not Installed |
An * (asterisk) indicates changes from the default.
Two ** (asterisks) indicates changes from Service Pack 2 to Service Pack 3.