Windows Vista/ 7 OS Install Guide

Windows Vista Install Guide

Introduction

After many requests for this information, I have drafted this general guide to help.

Take note: Regardless of flavor of Vista you will be installing, the steps listed here are the same. The only difference would be which product key is entered to determine which flavor of Vista is installed.

Important Information

This guide assumes a "clean" installation and not an "upgrade" from a previous OS. Ensure that you backup all of your important files (documents, music, etc) to CD/DVD/another hard drive before following these steps.
If you are using Hard Disks in a RAID or ACPI setup, you will first need to download the latest Vista compatible (32-bit or 64-bit) for your particular hardware before installing clean. Check with your chipset/hard drive controllers manufactures web site for the latest drivers/information before starting.

1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)   After configuring the system for booting from a CD/DVD, the Windows Setup screen appears. At this point, Setup is loading the driver files it needs to continue with installation.

2) Progress Bar: (Image 1.2)   The next screen is a more graphical progress bar indicating Windows Vista is still working in the background.

3) Option Selections: (Image 1.3)   The first options you will come across are selections for Language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard layout. Make your selections by using the pull down menus and press the Next button.

4) Install Now: (Image 1.4)   Here we have the option of repairing a previous installation or "Install Now." Highlight the "Install Now" button to continue to the next screen.

5) Please Wait: (Image 1.5) Windows Vista is working in the background. This may take several minutes depending on the system. 6) Product Key: (Image 2.1)   This screen is where you enter your product key or "CD Key" as it is sometimes called. An option also exists to automatically activate Vista upon first coming online. I uncheck this box to ensure everything is running smoothly before activating and having issues later on. 30 days is the standard amount of time before activation is required, though some products (such as MSDN subscriptions) have 60 days or more. After entering your product key, press the Next button. 7) License Agreement: (Image 2.2) Here we see the License Agreement you must accept before continuing. After reading the agreement, check the box next to "I accept the license terms". 8) Option Selections: (Image 2.3)   Here we would be able to choose an "Upgrade" install (if running setup from a previous version of Windows, such as XP) or a "Custom" (clean) install. Select the whole box containing "Custom (advanced)" to continue to the next screen. 9) Hard Drives: (Image 2.4)   This is where you can select which hard drive/partition to install Vista on. Since this system only has one hard drive, only one place Vista can go. Advanced options are shown in the next screen shot. This is also where you would install drivers for your ACPI/RAID/SATA controller by using the "Load Driver" option. After the installation of the ACPI/RAID/SATA drivers, your hard drives should appear as shown on the right. If no additional drivers are needed, select the Next button. 10) Advanced Options: (Image 2.5)   The advanced options allow creation of multiple partitions and the option of formatting existing partitions. After finishing your particular partition configuration that you desire, select the Next button. 11) Installing...: (Image 3.1)   Here is where Vista installs major components of the OS. This process can take 10 to 60 minutes depending on the system. 12) Reboot: (Image 3.2)   Here we see the system needing to reboot to continue installation tasks. You can hit the Restart Now button or just allow the reboot to happen automatically after several seconds. 13) First Time: (Image 3.3)   Here we see a "..." progress as Vista tries to start for the first time. This process may take several minutes before going to the next screen. 14) Completing Installation: (Image 3.4)   Vista continues to install at this screen. Depending on system, another reboot or two may happen before the next screen is displayed. 15) Account Creation: (Image 3.5)   Here is where we create the first user account for the system and select an icon to be displayed on the login screen. Ensure you password your account. After finishing entering your information and icon selection, select the Next button. 16) PC Name: (Image 4.1)   Here is where we can name the system for networking purposes. By default, it uses the account name entered in the previous step and adds "-PC" to it. We can also select a background for the desktop. After making your selection, select the Next button. 17) Updates: (Image 4.2)   Here we can configure Windows Update with several options. I suggest "Use recommended options" or the top option for most PC users. 18) Time Settings: (Image 4.3)   Here is where you can set the time and daylight savings time options. After configuring your time zone, clock settings and date, select the Next button. 19) Network Configuration: (Image 4.4)   Vista now asks our network configuration by asking "Home, Work or Public Place." Descriptions are expanded on screen so I will no go into them here. Make your selection to continue to the next screen. 20) Thanks!: (Image 4.5)   On this screen, we are thanked by Bill G. for installing Windows Vista. After you are done being thanked, select the Next button. 21) PC Performance: (Image 5.1)   Vista now checks the system performance to automaticlly configure a few options. This may take several minutes while the system does this and it will only do it this one time. 22) Login: (Image 5.2)   We are finally greeted with the login screen, however, there is still more configuration to come. Enter in your password that you used previously during the install process and hit ENTER or the little blue arrow to login. 23) Desktop Setup: (Image 5.3)   Your account profile starts being created here starting with your personal desktop configuration. More happens on the next screen. This process will also take several minutes, but only happen once. 24) Account Profile: (Image 5.4)   Vista now sets up profile configurations for Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player as well as a few more Windows applications. This could take several more minutes but we are almost there! 25) Welcome Screen: (Image 5.5)   Vista is installed! On this screen, we are presented with our system configuration as well as several different options. I hope you enjoyed this install guide and I thank you for reading! Windows Vista Service Configurations Introduction To continue my fine tradition of optimizing MS's latest OS, I have here my findings to date. Before adjusting your service settings, ensure that your system has already installed all updates by "checking now" for any available updates via Windows Update. At this time, it is best for you to ensure that all services are set to the default values before updating your system. Windows Vista SP2 Default Service Registry Patches are online as well as Windows Vista Retail Default Service Registry Patches and Windows Vista SP1 Default Service Registry Patches. Breakdown of all changes to date: Vista Information Changelog. "Optional" services installed with Add/Remove Windows Components as well as Windows Live Essentials are included. 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 1 to Service Pack 2. Three *** (asterisks) indicates optional services installed with Windows Live Essentials. Notes for a Happier Computer and User Do not use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead! 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 Vista SP2 as well as "Optional" services installed with Add/Remove Windows Components and Windows Live Essentials. If you discover a service that is not listed here, another application, driver or program installed them. A few of the more common ones are listed here. Still unsure? Put your setting to the listing under "Safe." After adjusting your service settings, reboot your computer. Before posting your question on the forums, see if your question has been addressed in the FAQ! 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. DEFAULT ~ What Bill G. thinks should be running on Windows Vista. "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 minimizes 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. 17 service settings have been changed from the default annotated by an (*) asterisk. "Tweaked" ~ This is the configuration that I have developed to reduce the "Safe" services started, but maintain system security. This does not guarantee it will work for you. 52 service settings have been changed from the default annotated by an (*) asterisk. This configuration is a system that is still able to perform many LAN networking functions, such as file and print sharing and uses wireless networking (laptop) plus leaves several security related "features" like the Windows Defender, Windows Firewall and Windows Update active. This configuration is not for a Windows Media Center PC. In this case, use "Safe". "Bare-bones" ~ WARNING!! ~ This configuration disables many built in features of Windows Vista as well as several security features. 76 service settings have been changed from the default annotated by an (*) asterisk. This configuration is not for a system that is directly connected to the internet as Windows Defender and Windows Firewall are disabled. This configuration is not for a laptop system as wireless networking (as well as Defender and Firewall) are disabled and will not be able to counter attacks while roaming on some random wireless connection outside of the home. This configuration is not for a system that internal network attacks are an issue. For example: Multiple PC's with multiple family members and inexperienced users. For this situation, I highly recommend "Safe" to ensure network security and Windows Update compatibility. This is not for a system that provides networked resources, such as printers, Media Center, and WMP library to other LAN connected computers. Use this configuration at your own risk. It is only provided here as a reference for me to adjust my system setting. If you tweak your Vista OS, use "Safe." 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. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled. Automatic (Delayed Start) ~ With a service in this state, it will start just after boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. 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 HB ~ Windows Vista Home Basic HP ~ Windows Vista Home Premium B ~ Windows Vista Business U ~ Windows Vista Ultimate E ~ Windows Vista Enterprise Black Viper's Windows Vista SP2 Service Configurations Show and Hide Columns: Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" ActiveX Installer (AxInstSV) AxInstSV Not Available Not Available Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Application Experience AeLookupSvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Disabled * Disabled * Application Host Helper Service AppHostSvc Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Application Information Appinfo Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual Manual Manual Application Layer Gateway Service ALG Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Application Management AppMgmt Not Available Not Available Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * ASP.NET State Service aspnet_state Not Available Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Background Intelligent Transfer Service BITS Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Base Filtering Engine BFE Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Block Level Backup Engine Service wbengine Not Available Not Available Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Certificate Propagation CertPropSvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Client for NFS NfsClnt Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed CNG Key Isolation KeyIso Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * COM+ Event System EventSystem Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic COM+ System Application COMSysApp Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual Manual Manual Computer Browser Browser Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic Cryptographic Services CryptSvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic DCOM Server Process Launcher DcomLaunch Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Desktop Window Manager Session Manager UxSms Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * DFS Replication DFSR Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Uninstalled * Uninstalled * DHCP Client Dhcp Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Diagnostic Policy Service DPS Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Disabled * Disabled * Diagnostic Service Host WdiServiceHost Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Diagnostic System Host WdiSystemHost Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual Disabled * Disabled * Distributed Link Tracking Client TrkWks Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Distributed Transaction Coordinator MSDTC Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual Disabled * Disabled * DNS Client Dnscache Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Extensible Authentication Protocol EapHost Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Fax Fax Not Available Not Available Manual Manual Not Installed (Manual) Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * FTP Publishing Service MSFTPSVC Not Available Not Available Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Function Discovery Provider Host fdPHost Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Function Discovery Resource Publication FDResPub Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Disabled * Disabled * Group Policy Client gpsvc Automatic (Started) ** Automatic (Started) ** Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Health Key and Certificate Management hkmsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Human Interface Device Access hidserv Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * IIS Admin Service IISADMIN Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules IKEEXT Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Indexing Service CISVC Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Interactive Services Detection UI0Detect Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) SharedAccess Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled IP Helper iphlpsvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * IPsec Policy Agent PolicyAgent Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator KtmRM Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Disabled * Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper lltdsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Message Queuing MSMQ Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Message Queuing Triggers MSMQTriggers Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Microsoft .NET Framework NGEN v2.0.50727 clr_optimization_v2.0.50727 Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service MSiSCSI Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider swprv Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Multimedia Class Scheduler MMCSS Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Net.Msmq Listener Adapter NetMsmqActivator Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Net.Pipe Listener Adapter NetPipeActivator Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Net.Tcp Listener Adapter NetTcpActivator Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service NetTcpPortSharing Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Netlogon Netlogon Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Network Access Protection Agent napagent Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Network Connections Netman Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual Manual Manual Network List Service netprofm Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Network Location Awareness NlaSvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Network Store Interface Service nsi Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Offline Files CscService Not Available Not Available Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Parental Controls WPCSvc Manual Manual Not Installed Manual Not Available Manual Disabled * Disabled * Peer Name Resolution Protocol PNRPsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Peer Networking Grouping p2psvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Peer Networking Identity Manager p2pimsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Performance Logs & Alerts pla Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Plug and Play PlugPlay Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator IPBusEnum Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * PNRP Machine Name Publication Service PNRPAutoReg Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Portable Device Enumerator Service WPDBusEnum Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Disabled * Disabled * Print Spooler Spooler Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support wercplsupport Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Program Compatibility Assistant Service PcaSvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Protected Storage ProtectedStorage Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Quality Windows Audio Video Experience QWAVE Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * ReadyBoost EMDMgmt Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Remote Access Auto Connection Manager RasAuto Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Remote Access Connection Manager RasMan Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual Manual Manual Remote Procedure Call (RPC) RpcSs Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator RpcLocator Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Remote Registry RemoteRegistry Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Removable Storage NtmsSvc Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed RIP Listener iprip Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Routing and Remote Access RemoteAccess Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled SeaPort *** SeaPort Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Secondary Logon seclogon Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service SstpSvc Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual Manual Manual Security Accounts Manager SamSs Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Security Center wscsvc Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Disabled * Server LanmanServer Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Shell Hardware Detection ShellHWDetection Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Simple TCP/IP Services simptcp Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed SL UI Notification Service SLUINotify Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Smart Card SCardSvr Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Smart Card Removal Policy SCPolicySvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * SNMP Service SNMP Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed SNMP Trap SNMPTRAP Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Software Licensing slsvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic SSDP Discovery SSDPSRV Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual Manual Manual Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Superfetch SysMain Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic System Event Notification Service SENS Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Tablet PC Input Service TabletInputService Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Task Scheduler Schedule Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper lmhosts Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic TCP/IP Print Server LPDSVC Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Telephony TapiSrv Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual (Started) Manual Manual Manual Telnet TlntSvr Not Installed (Disabled) Not Installed (Disabled) Not Installed (Disabled) Not Installed (Disabled) Not Installed (Disabled) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Terminal Services TermService Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Terminal Services Configuration SessionEnv Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Terminal Services UserMode Port Redirector UmRdpService Not Available Not Available Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Themes Themes Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Thread Ordering Server THREADORDER Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual TPM Base Services TBS Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Manual * Manual * Manual * UPnP Device Host upnphost Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * User Profile Service ProfSvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Virtual Disk vds Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Volume Shadow Copy VSS Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual Manual Manual Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Web Management Service WMSvc Not Available Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed WebClient WebClient Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Windows Audio AudioSrv Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Windows Audio Endpoint Builder AudioEndpointBuilder Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Windows Backup SDRSVC Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Windows CardSpace idsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Windows Color System WcsPlugInService Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar wcncsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Windows Defender WinDefend Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework wudfsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Windows Error Reporting Service WerSvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Disabled * Disabled * Windows Event Collector Wecsvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Windows Event Log Eventlog Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Windows Firewall MpsSvc Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Disabled * Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) stisvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Windows Installer msiserver Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Windows Live Family Safety *** fsssvc Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed (Manual) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Windows Management Instrumentation Winmgmt Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Windows Media Center Extender Service Mcx2Svc Not Available Disabled Not Available Disabled Not Available Disabled Disabled Disabled Windows Media Center Receiver Service ehRecvr Not Available Manual Not Available Manual Not Available Manual Disabled * Disabled * Windows Media Center Scheduler Service ehSched Not Available Manual Not Available Manual Not Available Manual Disabled * Disabled * Windows Media Center Service Launcher ehstart Not Available Automatic (Delayed Start) Not Available Automatic (Delayed Start) Not Available Automatic (Delayed Start) Disabled * Disabled * Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service WMPNetworkSvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Windows Modules Installer TrustedInstaller Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Windows Presentation Foundation Font Cache 3.0.0.0 FontCache3.0.0.0 Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Windows Process Activation Service WAS Not Installed (Manual, Started) Not Installed (Manual, Started) Not Installed (Manual, Started) Not Installed (Manual, Started) Not Installed (Manual, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed Windows Remote Management (WS-Management) WinRM Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Display Name Service Name (Registry) DEFAULT Home Basic DEFAULT Home Premium DEFAULT Business DEFAULT Ultimate DEFAULT Enterprise "Safe" "Tweaked" "Bare-bones" Windows Search Wsearch Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Windows Time W32Time Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic Windows Update wuauserv Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) Automatic (Delayed Start) WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service WinHttpAutoProxySvc Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Manual (Started) ** Disabled * Disabled * Disabled * Wired AutoConfig dot3svc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual WLAN AutoConfig Wlansvc Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Disabled * WMI Performance Adapter wmiApSrv Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Workstation LanmanWorkstation Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic (Started) Automatic Automatic Automatic World Wide Web Publishing Service W3SVC Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed (Automatic, Started) Not Installed Not Installed Not Installed An * (asterisk) indicates changes from the default. Two ** (asterisks) indicates changes from Service Pack 1 to Service Pack 2. Three *** (asterisks) indicates optional services installed with Windows Live Essentials.

Windows Vista Super Tweaks


Top 9 tweaks for a faster (and less annoying) Vista PC

The following is what I do directly after a clean install of Windows Vista . This does not mean that everything I do will work for you. Keeping that in mind, ensure you are fully aware of the risks of tweaking your system before doing so. Several of my performance tweaks "reduce" the default functionality of Windows and removes some built in security features. If security is a top priority for you or you are a new user to Vista, refrain from disabling any functionality noted as a security feature.

Point to note: Ensure that you are logged in as an "Administrator" or have Administrator rights before performing any of these steps.

Even though I do these steps directly after a clean install, all of them be done at any time.

Quick Links:

1). User Account Control

2). System Restore and Indexing Features

3). Windows Sidebar

4). Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop

5). Vista Aero (Themes)

6). Updated Drivers

7). Lighten System Tray

8). Add/Remove Programs

9). Services

1). User Account Control

 

User Account Control or UAC is a new feature in Vista that asks for permission to do system software tasks and also run programs. Unfortunately, this security feature is also annoying. I cannot predict the future of your system or what kind of security vulnerabilities will be used to attack systems, and as such, you need to decide for yourself if you desire to keep UAC active, but if you wish to disable it, here is how I do it:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Administrative Tools
5. Select the System Configuration button
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select the Tools Tab
8. Select "Disable UAC"
9. Select the Launch button
10. Select the Ok button to close the panel

You will have to reboot for the setting to take effect.

2). System Restore and Indexing Features

 

If you are experiencing "random" slowdowns and "high" CPU usage for no reason, these two features are the most likely cause of the problem. These features are also a major cause of "missing" disk space. System Restore could be taking up to 15% of your hard drive space, just on its own. On a 200GB hard drive, that is 30GB!

System Restore Service creates system snap shots or "restore points" for returning to at a later time. Every time you install a program or new driver, plus on a schedule, this service creates a restore point to roll back to if a problem occurs. This is the first thing that I get rid of on a clean installation. If you use this and enjoy it, good for you. I never will. I feel it is faster and less hassle to just install clean. If you do not use System Restore Service, I highly recommend you back up your important files using, for example, a CD/DVD burner or an external USB 2.0 hard drive. A rather good (and possibly the only) reason to use this "feature" is to roll back your OS after installing an unknown program or testing software. For example: BETA software of any kind or before installing a Service Pack . NOTE: If you disable this service, your previous "restore points" will be deleted. If, for what ever reason, you do not want this to happen, do not disable this service.

The Indexing Service, by default, searches the start menu and the user account directory (C:/Users/<account>/) to assist in faster searching. However, with the tasks that I personally do, I rarely, use the Windows Search feature. The indexing feature has improved, though, as it is much more sensitive to an active user and will reduce the resources used while a person is actively using the system.

Get rid of System Restore and Indexing. Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Backup and Restore Center
5. Select Create a restore point or change settings (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select System Protection Tab (should be there already)
8. Uncheck your hard drives listed under "Automatic restore points"
9. Select the Turn System Restore Off button
10. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

With the Classic View:

• Head to Start
• Select Control Panel
• Select Backup and Restore Center
• Select Create a restore point or change settings (on the left side)
• Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
• Select System Protection Tab (should be there already)
• Uncheck your hard drives listed under "Automatic restore points"
• Select the Turn System Restore Off button
• Select the Ok button to apply the settings

You can now disable the Indexing Feature:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Indexing Options
5. Select the Modify button
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select the Show all locations button
8. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
9. Double click "Users" in the "Summary of selected locations"
10. Uncheck Users directory
11. Double click "Start Menu " in the "Summary of selected locations"
12. Uncheck Start Menu directory
13. Select the Ok button to close the panel

With the Classic Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Indexing Options
5. Select the Modify button
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select the Show all locations button
8. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
9. Double click "Users" in the "Summary of selected locations"
10. Uncheck Users directory
11. Double click "Start Menu " in the "Summary of selected locations"
12. Uncheck Start Menu directory
13. Select the Ok button to close the panel

 

3). Windows Sidebar

 

The new Windows Vista Sidebar uses between 12MB and 20MB of RAM with the default 3 Gadgets and no news headline feed.

Desire to disable the Sidebar? Several ways exist, but here are two of them:

1. Locate the Windows Sidebar icon in the System Tray (lower right, near the clock display)            Show hidden icons if it is not displayed
2. Right click the icon to bring up the context menu
3. Select Properties
4. Uncheck Start Sidebar when Windows starts
5. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

You can disable the Sidebar also by:

• Right click on an unused area of the Sidebar (between Gadgets or at the bottom) to bring up the context menu
• Select Properties
• Uncheck Start Sidebar when Windows starts
• Select the Ok button to apply the settings

If you wish to close the Sidebar now:

1. Locate the Windows Sidebar icon in the System Tray (lower right, near the clock display)            Show hidden icons if it is not displayed
2. Right click the icon to bring up the context menu
3. Select Exit

or:

• Right click on an unused area of the Sidebar (between Gadgets or at the bottom) to bring up the context menu
• Select Exit

 

4). Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop

 

Remove Remote Assistance and ensure Remote Desktop is disabled.

Take Note: Remote Desktop is not available on Vista Home or Vista Home Premium, so the option will not be there.

Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select System
5. Select Remote settings (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Uncheck "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer " option
8. Ensure "Don't allow connections to this computer" option is checked
9. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

With the Classic Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System
4. Select Remote settings (on the left side)
5. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
6. Uncheck "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer " option
7. Ensure "Don't allow connections to this computer" option is checked
8. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

 

5). Vista Aero (Themes)

 

Reduce the overhead associated with Windows Vista's new Themes. As a side note, the new Aero is a big reason to upgrade to Vista and I really enjoy the new look. However, if you are using an older system that does not meet the recommended requirements to run the new Aero Glass engine, disable the themes to make it look like Windows 2000/XP (with its new theme disabled) and save the memory.

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Appearance and Personalization
4. Select Personalization
5. Select Theme
6. From the drop down box, select "Windows Classic"
7. Select the Ok button

With the Classic Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Personalization
4. Select Theme
5. From the drop down box, select "Windows Classic"
6. Select the Ok button

Fine tune visual performance options:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Performance Information and Tools
5. Select Adjust visual effects (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select "Adjust for best performance."
8. Select the Ok button

With the Classic Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System
4. Select Advanced system settings (on the left side)
5. Select Advanced Tab
6. Under Performance, select the Settings button
7. Select Visual Effects Tab
8. Select "Adjust for best performance."
9. Select the Ok button

After that, Disable and Stop the Themes service.

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select All Programs
3. Select Administrative Tools
4. Select Services
5. Select "Themes" service (Double Click)
6. Select General Tab
7. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
8. In the Service status area: select "Stop"
9. Select the Ok button to close the panel

 

6). Updated Drivers

 

Download and install all updated drivers from the hardware manufacture sites. I cannot tell you what site you need to go to for your system components as I have no idea what is installed in your system, but do your computer a favor and get updated drivers for everything. Contact your PC builder or each manufacture for each item installed in your system.

As with every Windows release in the past, updated drivers fix bugs and also usually increase performance from the default OS drivers installed.

Usually, after the installation of each driver, you must reboot. If the driver installation program does not  ask you to reboot, I still recommend to do so.

7). Lighten System Tray

 

After updating all my drivers, I remove any excess icons (all of them, basically) from the system tray (lower right) and check the services (Number Nine) to ensure nothing else was installed (like NVIDIA's "driver helper." Contrary to popular belief, those little "quick access" icons take up a lot of room and increase boot time.

8). Add/Remove Programs

 

Uninstall Windows Vista features that are unused:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Programs
4. Select Programs and Features
5. Select Turn Windows features on or off (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Check or Uncheck needed/unneeded Windows features
8. Select the Ok button

 

9). Services

 

Adjust for any additional unneeded services. Windows Vista Services Configurations.

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Select Administrative Tools
5. Select Services
6. Select a service to adjust by double-clicking
7. In the General tab, Startup type section, select Automatic (Delayed Start), Automatic, Manual or Disabled.

If you like, you can also do: Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Run --> type in services.msc --> Select OK.

After configuring all services that you desire to change, reboot to see the effects of your tweaking.

Note: Do not use msconfig to stop services. It basically is "disabling" a service. Use the above procedure  and set to "manual" instead for testing purposes.

If you have not already, reboot now.

If you have rebooted, do it again.

Windows 7 Install Guide

Introduction

After many requests for this information, I have drafted this general guide to help.

Take note: Regardless of flavor of Windows 7 or if it is 32/64-bit that you will be installing, the steps listed here are the same. The only difference would be which product key is entered to determine which flavor of 7 is installed.

 Important Information

This guide assumes a "clean" installation and not an "upgrade" from a previous OS. Ensure that you backup all of your important files (documents, music, etc) to CD/DVD/another hard drive before following these steps.

If you are using Hard Disks in a ACPI or RAID setup, you will first need to download the latest Windows 7 compatible (32-bit or 64-bit) for your particular hardware before installing clean. Check with your chipset/hard drive controllers manufactures web site for the latest drivers/information before starting.

This guide is for OEM (purchased separately from the computer) and retail versions of Windows 7.

Installation instructions specific to computers with "recovery partitions" or recovery DVD's are very different. Consult your manufactures instructions for details.

1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)   After configuring the system for booting from a DVD, the Windows Setup screen appears. At this point, Setup is loading the driver files it needs to continue with installation.

2) Progress Bar: (Image 1.2)   The next screen is a more graphical progress bar indicating Windows 7 is still working in the background.

3) Option Selections: (Image 1.3)   The first options you will come across are selections for Language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard layout. Make your selections by using the pull down menus and press the Next button.

4) Install Now: (Image 1.4)   Here we have the option of repairing a previous installation or "Install Now." Since this is a clean installation of Windows 7 and not a repair, Install Now is the proper choice. Highlight the "Install Now" button to continue to the next screen.

5) Please Wait: (Image 1.5)     Windows 7 is working in the background. This may take several minutes depending on the system. 6) License Agreement: (Image 2.1)   Here we see the License Agreement you must accept before continuing. After reading the agreement, check the box next to "I accept the license terms" and select Next button. 7) Option Selections: (Image 2.2)   Here we would be able to choose an "Upgrade" install (if running setup from a previous version of Windows, such as Vista) or a "Custom" (clean) install. Select the whole box containing "Custom (advanced)" to continue to the next screen. 8) Hard Drives: (Image 2.3)   This is where you can select which hard drive/partition to install Windows 7 on. Since this system only has one hard drive, only one place Windows 7can go. Advanced options are shown in the next screen shot. This is also where you would install drivers for your ACPI/RAID/SATA controller by using the "Load Driver" option. After the installation of the ACPI/RAID/SATA drivers, your hard drives should appear as shown on the right. If no additional drivers are needed, select the Next button. 9) Advanced Options: (Image 2.4)   The advanced options allow creation of multiple partitions and the option of formatting existing partitions. After finishing your particular partition configuration that you desire, select the Next button. 10) Installing: (Image 3.1)   Here is where Windows 7 installs major components of the OS. This process can take 10 to 60 minutes depending on the system. 11) Reboot: (Image 3.2)   Here we see the system needing to reboot to continue installation tasks. You can hit the Restart Now button or just allow the reboot to happen automatically after several seconds. 12) Setup Registry Entries: (Image 3.3)   Here we see progress as Windows 7 updates the registry settings. This process may take several minutes before going to the next screen. 13) Starting Services: (Image 3.4)   Windows 7 starts up required services at this point in the setup process. 14) Installation Continues: (Image 3.5)   Windows 7 continues to install at this screen. 15) Another Reboot: (Image 3.6)   After initial setup is complete, another reboot is required with no user input. 16) Starting Windows: (Image 4.1)     This is the screen you will be greeted with upon each boot. Windows 7 is starting up! 17) First Use: (Image 4.2)   Setup is now preparing the system for initial booting. Unlike the previous screen capture, you will not see this on each boot. 18) Video Test: (Image 4.3)   Here is where Windows 7 tests the systems video performance to see if Aero will be enabled or not. This test will only last a few minutes. 19) Account Creation: (Image 4.4)     Here is where the initial account creation happens. This user will have full administrator privileges and automatically be logged in after setup is completed. Enter in your user name and computer name as you would like it to be identified on the network and then select the Next button. 20) User Password: (Image 4.5)   This screen prompts you to enter a password for the account that you just created. I highly recommend that you password your account. Enter it twice, then include a "password hint" to help remind you of what it is if you misplace or forget it. You, of course, should not enter in your actual password in this field, but a subtle reminder to jog your memory. After this information is entered, select the Next button. 21) Product Key: (Image 5.1)     Windows 7 now asks you to enter the product key that was included with your purchase. This key determines what features and which version will be installed on the system. 32 and 64-bit versions have the same product key. I highly recommend to uncheck "Automatically activate Windows when I'm online". The reason is that you only have a finite amount of times that you may activate online. After this limit is reached, you will need to call Microsoft directly to have them activate your installation. This can be a big hassle, especially when you are in a hurry to get the computer back up and running. Windows 7 will nag you every so often to activate upon logging in, but this is a minor nuisance compared to the phone call method of activating Windows 7. After verifying that everything works as you intend, you can activate and know that you could have avoided problems later on if you let Windows 7 do it right after logging in for the first time. 30 days is the intended grace period before requiring activation with retail versions, even with this method. However, you can boost that number up to 116 days using the following method: Open up a command prompt with administrator privileges Type: slmgr -rearm After a reboot, you will have an additional 30 days to ensure everything is running properly. You can perform this action up to 3 times with the current Windows 7 retail release, bringing the required activation time to 116 days, if the Software License Manager is invoked at the end of the required activation period (on the 29th day). I would recommend not waiting until the 30th day to run the command, thus 116 days total and not 120. After this information is entered, select the Next button. 22) Use Recommended Settings: (Image 5.2)   This is where Automatic Updates and problems and reports solutions are offered as an option. I recommend to most users to "Use Recommended Settings" here. These options can always be changed later. Make your selection to continue to the next screen. 23) Time and Date: (Image 5.3)   Ensure that your time zone is entered correctly and make adjustments as necessary. Also ensure the proper time is set. This information is extracted from the BIOS settings, so if the time was set correctly in a previous installation of Windows (or most any other OS), it should still be correct here. After this information is verified, select the Next button. 24) Network Profile: (Image 5.4)   Here, you can select the "general" security measures put in place for your particular network. Most people will want to use "Home network" for desktop installations or "Public network" for a portable system, like a laptop. Make your selection to continue to the next screen. 25) Network Connecting: (Image 5.5)   Windows 7 is now connecting to the network. This is where your initial IP address is acquired and internet connectivity is verified. 26) Finalizing Settings: (Image 6.1)     Windows 7 is finally... finalizing settings. This should only take a few moments to complete. 27) Welcome: (Image 6.2)   Not much to say here. Just wait some more. 28) Desktop Setup: (Image 6.3)   Your initial desktop is setup here. This process will take a few moments, but only happen once. 29) The Desktop: (Image 6.4)   Windows 7 is now finished being installed and are greeted with the desktop. It is worth noting that you did not need to log in this time, but after rebooting (or logging off), you will see the login screen and you must enter the user name and password created earlier to return to this point. I hope that you enjoyed reading my Installation guide.

Windows 7 Service Configurations

Introduction

 

To continue my fine tradition of optimizing MS's latest OS, I have here my findings to date. If you are looking for Windows 7 Retail information, you are almost in the right spot.

Before adjusting your service settings, ensure that your system has already installed all updates by "checking now" for any available updates via Windows Update. At this time, it is best for you to ensure that all services are set to the default values before updating your system.

Breakdown of all changes to date: Windows 7 Information Changelog.

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 you can add or remove this service by:

• Head to Start
• Select Control Panel
• Select Programs
• Select Programs and Features
• Select Turn Windows Features on or off

Three *** (asterisks) indicates optional services installed with Windows Live Essentials.
Four **** (asterisks) indicates changes from Retail (SP0) to Service Pack 1.

Notes for a Happier Computer and User

 

• Do not use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead or check this FAQ!
• Before disabling any service, check out the service information about each by selecting the service name links provided.
• Service settings are global, meaning changes apply to all users.
• All of these services are "Standard" with Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and installed by default, by Add/Remove Windows Features, or installed via Windows Live Essentials. If you discover a service that is not listed here, another application, driver or program installed them. A few of the more common ones are listed here.
• WLAN Autoconfig service is required for normal operation of your wireless network card. It is listed here as Manual due to most desktops not needing wireless access, but if you do have a wireless network card installed, it will be in Automatic by default.
• Still unsure? Put your setting to "Manual" or the listing under "Safe." Manual allows Windows 7 Service Pack 1 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.
• Before posting your question on the forums, see if your question has been addressed in the FAQ!
• 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.
• DEFAULT ~ What MS thinks should be running on Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
• "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 minimizes 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.
  • 19 service settings have been changed from the default annotated by an (*) asterisk.
• "Tweaked" ~ This is the configuration that I have developed to reduce the "Safe" services started, but maintain system security. This does not guarantee it will work for you.
  • 57 service settings have been changed from the default annotated by an (*) asterisk.
  • This configuration is a system that is still able to perform many LAN networking functions, such as file and print sharing, HomeGroup access and uses wireless networking (laptop) plus leaves several security related "features" like the Windows Defender, Windows Firewall and Windows Update active.
  • This configuration is not for a Windows Media Center PC. In this case, use "Safe".
• "Bare-bones" ~ WARNING!! ~ This configuration disables many built in features of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 as well as several security features.
  • 85 service settings have been changed from the default annotated by an (*) asterisk.
  • This configuration is not for a system that is directly connected to the internet as Windows Defender, Windows Firewall and Windows Update are disabled!
  • This configuration is not for a laptop system as wireless networking (as well as Defender and Firewall) are disabled and will not be able to counter attacks while roaming on some random wireless connection outside of the home.
  • This configuration is not for a system that internal network attacks are an issue. For example: Multiple PC's with multiple family members and inexperienced users. For this situation, I highly recommend "Safe" to ensure network security and Windows Update compatibility.
  • This is not for a system that provides networked resources, such as printers, Media Center, and WMP library to other LAN connected computers.
  • Use this configuration at your own risk. It is only provided here as a reference for me to adjust my system setting. If you tweak your Windows 7 OS, use "Safe" unless you read and understand what you are doing.

 

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. If you find you do not need a service, place it into Manual or Disabled.
• Automatic (Delayed Start) ~ With a service in this state, it will start just after boot time. Some services, when no longer required, will also automatically stop when not needed. 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.
• "Not Available" ~ A service that does not apply to the particular version.
• "Uninstalled" ~ The ability to uninstall a service that I recommend to be removed by using Add/Remove Windows Features.

 

Service Dependency Abbreviation Information

 

• S ~ Windows 7 Starter
• HB ~ Windows 7 Home Basic
• HP ~ Windows 7 Home Premium
• P ~ Windows 7 Professional
• U ~ Windows 7 Ultimate
• E ~ Windows 7 Enterprise

 

Service Default Registry Entries

 

• These entries are exported directly from the registry of a default Windows 7 Service Pack 1 installation.
• They are in the .reg file format (many entries are in hex notation), not as you would actually view the content via regedit.exe.
• The particular location extracted is under: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\

 

Black Viper's Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Service Configurations

Show and Hide Columns:

• Display Name
• Service Name (Registry)
• DEFAULT Starter
• DEFAULT Home Basic
• DEFAULT Home Premium
• DEFAULT Professional
• DEFAULT Ultimate
• DEFAULT Enterprise
• "Safe"
• Tweaked
• Bare-bones

Display Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
ActiveX  Installer (AxInstSV)	AxInstSV	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Adaptive Brightness	SensrSvc	Not Available	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Application Experience	AeLookupSvc	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
Application  Host Helper Service **	AppHostSvc	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Application Identity	AppIDSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Application Information	Appinfo	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual	Manual	Manual
Application Layer  Gateway Service	ALG	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Application Management	AppMgmt	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
ASP.NET  State  Service **	aspnet_state	Not Available	Not Available	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Background Intelligent Transfer Service	BITS	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Base  Filtering Engine	BFE	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *
BitLocker Drive Encryption  Service	BDESVC	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Block Level Backup Engine  Service	wbengine	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Bluetooth  Support  Service	bthserv	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Branch Cache	PeerDistSvc	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Certificate Propagation	CertPropSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Client for NFS **	NfsClnt	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
CNG Key  Isolation	KeyIso	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Display  Name	Service Name  (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
COM+ Event  System	EventSystem	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
COM+  System  Application	COMSysApp	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Computer  Browser	Browser	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
Credential  Manager	VaultSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Cryptographic Services	CryptSvc	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
DCOM  Server  Process  Launcher	DcomLaunch	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Desktop  Window  Manager  Session  Manager	UxSms	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *
DHCP  Client	Dhcp	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Diagnostic  Policy  Service	DPS	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Disabled *	Disabled *
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Diagnostic Service Host	WdiServiceHost	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Diagnostic  System Host	WdiSystemHost	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Disk  Defragmenter	defragsvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Distributed  Link  Tracking  Client	TrkWks	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Distributed Transaction Coordinator	MSDTC	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
DNS  Client	Dnscache	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *
Encrypting  File System  (EFS)	EFS	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Extensible Authentication Protocol	EapHost	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Fax **	Fax	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Uninstalled *
Display  Name	Service Name  (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Function  Discovery  Provider  Host	fdPHost	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Function  Discovery  Resource Publication	FDResPub	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Disabled *	Disabled *
Group  Policy  Client	gpsvc	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Health Key  and  Certificate Management	hkmsvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
HomeGroup Listener	HomeGroup Listener	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
HomeGroup Provider	HomeGroup Provider	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Human  Interface  Device  Access	hidserv	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
IIS Admin  Service **	IISADMIN	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
IKE and  AuthIP  IPsec Keying Modules	IKEEXT	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Indexing Service **	CISVC	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Started, Automatic)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Interactive  Services  Detection	UI0Detect	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Internet  Connection  Sharing (ICS)	SharedAccess	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled
IP Helper	iphlpsvc	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
IPsec Policy  Agent	PolicyAgent	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator	KtmRm	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Link-Layer Topology Discovery  Mapper	lltdsvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
LPD  Service **	LPDSVC	Not Available	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Media  Center  Extender  Service **	Mcx2Svc	Not Available	Not Available	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Uninstalled *
Display  Name	Service Name  (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Message Queuing **	MSMQ	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Message  Queuing  Triggers **	MSMQTriggers	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Microsoft  .NET  Framework  NGEN  v2.0.50727	clr_optimization _v2.0.50727	Manual	Manual	Manual	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started	Manual	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started	Manual	Manual	Manual
Microsoft  FTP  Service **	ftpsvc	Not Available	Not Available	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Microsoft  iSCSI  Initiator  Service	MSiSCSI	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Microsoft  Software  Shadow  Copy  Provider	swprv	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Multimedia  Class  Scheduler	MMCSS	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Net.Msmq Listener  Adapter **	NetMsmq Activator	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Net.Pipe  Listener  Adapter **	NetPipe Activator	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Net.Tcp Listener  Adapter **	NetTcp Activator	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service **	NetTcpPort Sharing	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Uninstalled *
Netlogon	Netlogon	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Network  Access  Protection  Agent	napagent	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Network Connections	Netman	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual	Manual	Manual
Network List Service	netprofm	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual	Manual	Manual
Network  Location  Awareness	NlaSvc	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Network  Store Interface Service	nsi	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Offline Files	CscService	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Parental Controls	WPCSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Peer Name Resolution Protocol	PNRPsvc	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Peer  Networking Grouping	p2psvc	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Peer  Networking Identity  Manager	p2pimsvc	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Performance  Logs &  Alerts	pla	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Plug and  Play	PlugPlay	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
PnP-X IP  Bus  Enumerator	IPBusEnum	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
PNRP  Machine  Name  Publication  Service	PNRP AutoReg	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Portable  Device  Enumerator  Service	WPDBus Enum	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Power	Power	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Print Spooler	Spooler	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Problem  Reports and Solutions  Control Panel Support	wercplsupport	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Program Compatibility Assistant  Service	PcaSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Protected  Storage	Protected Storage	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
Quality Windows  Audio Video Experience	QWAVE	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Remote Access Auto  Connection Manager	RasAuto	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Remote Access  Connection Manager	RasMan	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Remote  Desktop Configuration	SessionEnv	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Remote Desktop  Services	TermService	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Remote  Desktop  Services  UserMode  Port  Redirector	UmRdp Service	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Remote  Procedure  Call (RPC)	RpcSs	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Remote  Procedure  Call (RPC)  Locator	RpcLocator	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Remote  Registry	Remote Registry	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
RIP  Listener **	iprip	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Routing  and Remote  Access	Remote Access	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled
RPC Endpoint Mapper	RpcEpt Mapper	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
SeaPort ***	SeaPort	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Display Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Secondary Logon	seclogon	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Secure  Socket Tunneling  Protocol  Service	SstpSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Security Accounts  Manager	SamSs	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Security Center	wscsvc	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Disabled *
Server	Lanman Server	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Shell  Hardware  Detection	ShellHW Detection	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Simple TCP/IP  Services **	simptcp	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Smart Card	SCardSvr	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Smart Card Removal  Policy	SCPolicy Svc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Display Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
SNMP  Service **	SNMP	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
SNMP Trap	SNMPTRAP	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Software  Protection	sppsvc	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Automatic (Delayed Start)
SPP  Notification  Service	sppuinotify	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
SSDP  Discovery	SSDPSRV	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual	Manual	Manual
Storage Service	StorSvc	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Manual	Not Available	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Superfetch	SysMain	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
System  Event  Notification  Service	SENS	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Tablet PC  Input  Service	TabletInput Service	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Task  Scheduler	Schedule	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
TCP/IP  NetBIOS  Helper	lmhosts	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *
Telephony	TapiSrv	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Telnet **	TlntSvr	Not Installed (Disabled)	Not Installed (Disabled)	Not Installed (Disabled)	Not Installed (Disabled)	Not Installed (Disabled)	Not Installed (Disabled)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Themes	Themes	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *
Thread  Ordering  Server	THREA DORDER	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
TPM Base  Services	TBS	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
UPnP  Device Host	upnphost	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
User  Profile  Service	ProfSvc	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Virtual Disk	vds	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Volume  Shadow  Copy	VSS	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
Web  Management Service **	WMSVC	Not Available	Not Available	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
WebClient	WebClient	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Windows  Audio	AudioSrv	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Windows  Audio  Endpoint  Builder	Audio Endpoint Builder	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Windows  Backup	SDRSVC	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Windows Biometric  Service	WbioSrvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Windows CardSpace	idsvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Uninstalled *
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Windows  Color  System	WcsPlugIn Service	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Windows  Connect  Now - Config Registrar	wcncsvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *	Disabled *
Windows  Defender	WinDefend	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Disabled *
Windows  Driver  Foundation - User-mode  Driver  Framework	wudfsvc	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****
Windows  Error  Reporting  Service	WerSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Windows  Event  Collector	Wecsvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Windows  Event Log	EventLog	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Windows  Firewall	MpsSvc	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Disabled *
Windows  Font Cache  Service	FontCache	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started) ****
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Windows  Image  Acquisition  (WIA)	StiSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Windows  Installer	msiserver	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Windows  Live Family  Safety ***	fsssvc	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed (Manual)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Windows Management Instrumentation	Winmgmt	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Windows  Media Center Receiver  Service **	ehRecvr	Not Available	Not Available	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Uninstalled *
Windows  Media Center Scheduler  Service **	ehSched	Not Available	Not Available	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Uninstalled *
Windows  Media Player Network  Sharing  Service **	WMP NetworkSvc	Manual (Started)	Manual (Startedl)	Manual (Started) ****	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Manual (Started)	Disabled *	Disabled *	Uninstalled *
Windows  Modules  Installer	Trusted Installer	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Manual	Manual
Windows Presentation Foundation  Font Cache  3.0.0.0 **	FontCache 3.0.0.0	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Uninstalled *
Display Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Windows  Process  Activation  Service **	WAS	Not Installed (Manual, Started)	Not Installed (Manual, Started)	Not Installed (Manual, Started)	Not Installed (Manual, Started)	Not Installed (Manual, Started)	Not Installed (Manual, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
Windows  Remote Management (WS- Management)	WinRM	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Windows  Search **	WSearch	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Disabled *	Disabled *	Uninstalled *
Windows  Time	W32Time	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
Windows Update	wuauserv	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start, Started)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Disabled *
WinHTTP  Web Proxy Auto- Discovery Service	WinHttpAuto ProxySvc	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual ****	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *
Wired AutoConfig	dot3svc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
WLAN AutoConfig	Wlansvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *
WMI Performance Adapter	wmiApSrv	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Display  Name	Service Name (Registry)	DEFAULT Starter	DEFAULT Home Basic	DEFAULT Home Premium	DEFAULT Professional	DEFAULT Ultimate	DEFAULT Enterprise	"Safe"	Tweaked	Bare-bones
Workstation	Lanman Workstation	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
World Wide Web  Publishing Service **	W3SVC	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed (Automatic, Started)	Not Installed	Not Installed	Not Installed
WWAN AutoConfig	WwanSvc	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled *	Disabled *

An * (asterisk) indicates changes from the default

Two ** (asterisks) indicates you can add or remove this service by:

• Head to Start
• Select Control Panel
• Select Programs
• Select Programs and Features
• Select Turn Windows Features on or off

Three *** (asterisks) indicates optional services installed with Windows Live Essentials.

Four **** (asterisks) indicates changes from Retail (SP0) to Service Pack 1.

Windows 7 Super Tweaks

Top 8 tweaks for a faster (and less annoying) Windows 7 PC

The following is what I do directly after a clean install of Windows 7. This does not mean that everything
I do will work for you. Keeping that in mind, ensure you are fully aware of the risks of tweaking your
system before doing so. Several of my performance tweaks "reduce" the default functionality of
Windows and removes some built in security features. If security is a top priority for you or you
are a new user to W7, refrain from disabling any functionality noted as a security feature.

Point to note: Ensure that you are logged in as an "Administrator" or have Administrator rights before performing any of these steps.

Even though I perform these steps directly after a clean install, all of them can be done at any time.
Quick Links:

1). User Account Control
2). System Restore and Windows Search Features
3). Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop
4). Aero (Themes)
5). Updated Drivers
6). Lighten System Tray (Action Center)
7). Add/Remove Programs
8). Services

1). User Account Control

User Account Control or UAC is a feature in Windows 7 that asks for permission to do system software tasks and also run programs. Unfortunately, this security feature can become annoying at times. Much less so then it was with Vista's default configuration, but it can be difficult to deal with as well as confuse users with dialog popups that are requesting a "password" to perform actions, but never actually ask for that password (if already logged in as an administrator). I cannot predict the future of your system or what kind of security vulnerabilities will be used to attack systems, and as such, you need to decide for yourself if you desire to keep UAC active, but if you wish to disable it, here is how I do it:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select Change User Account Control settings under Action Center header
5. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
6. Select the slider on the left and drag it down to "Never notify"
7. Select the Ok button to close the panel
8. Select the Yes button (since UAC is still active) to continue modification of the settings
9. Close the remaining open windows

Changing UAC back is as easy as steps 1 through 5 and putting the slider where you desire. Higher is "more secure".

With all of that said, I recommend the default levels for most anyone, but if you make system changes (denoted by a UAC shield on the button) often, you may choose to make it go away.

You will have to reboot for the setting to take effect.

 

2). System Restore and Windows Search (Indexing) Features

 

If you are experiencing "random" slowdowns and "high" CPU usage for no reason, these two features are the most likely cause of the problem. These features are also a major cause of "missing" disk space. System Restore could be taking up to 15% of your hard drive space, just on its own. On a 200GB hard drive, that is 30GB! My laptop defaulted to 2% @ 766MB with 455MB actively being used on a non-tweaked (and not really used much) system. Clearing those backups reduced the usage to zero, though (more about the Delete button below).

System Restore creates system snap shots or "restore points" for returning to at a later time. Every time you install a program or new driver, plus on a schedule, this service creates a restore point to roll back to if a problem occurs. This is the first thing that I get rid of on a clean installation. If you use this and enjoy it, good for you. I never will. I feel it is faster and less hassle to just install clean. If you do not use System Restore, I highly recommend you back up your important files using, for example, a CD/DVD burner or an external USB 2.0 hard drive. A rather good (and possibly the only) reason to use this "feature" is to roll back your OS after installing an unknown program or testing software. For example: BETA software of any kind or before installing a Service Pack . NOTE: If you disable this feature, your previous "restore points" will be deleted. If, for what ever reason, you do not want this to happen, do not disable this service. This also creates and manages multiple versions of files that we can delete later. Yet another feature that I do not have a use for as I ensure many versions are backed up often elsewhere on the system. I have never needed to "roll back" a document, so the feature is not worth the effort for me. You may want to keep System Restore until after you mess with Number Eight (below). Your choice.

The Windows Search Service (or the not installed by default Indexing Service), by default, the service searches the start menu and the user account directory (C:/Users/<account>/) to assist in finding information faster. However, with the tasks that I personally do, I rarely, use the Windows Search feature. The indexing feature has improved, though, as it is much more sensitive to an active user and will reduce the resources used while a person is actively using the system.

Get rid of System Restore and file versioning. Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select System
5. Select System Protection (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Select System Protection Tab (should be there already)
8. Select a hard drive listed under "Protection" that has "On" in the column
9. Select the Configure button
10. Select the "Turn off system protection" radio button
11. Drag the "Max Usage" slider all the way to the left to 1%
12. Select the Delete button if you wish to get rid of the current backups (not a wise idea if you are wanting to keep System Restore active)
13. Select the Ok button to apply the settings (you may get several warning dialogs that you have too little space allocated or that you are deleting old restore points.

You can now disable the Windows Search Feature:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Programs
4. Select under Programs and Features "Turn Windows Features on or off"
5. Scroll down to Windows Search and uncheck it
6. Select the Ok button to close the panel

 

3). Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop

Remove Remote Assistance and ensure Remote Desktop is disabled.

Take Note: Remote Desktop is not available on Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic or Home Premium, so the option will not be there.

Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select System
5. Select Remote settings (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Uncheck "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer " option
8. Ensure "Don't allow connections to this computer" option is checked
9. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

 

4). Aero (Themes)

 

Reduce the overhead associated with Windows 7 new Theme. As a side note, the new Aero is a big reason to upgrade to Windows 7 and I really enjoy the new look. However, if you are using an older system that does not meet the recommended requirements to run the Aero Glass engine or have a system that does not have Windows 7 certified driver support, disable the themes to make it look like Windows 2000/XP (with its new theme disabled) and save the memory.

Also, in order to get back Aero Themes selection (after performing these steps, they will be grayed out of selection), you will have to reverse (enable) the features and reboot.

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Appearance and Personalization
4. Select Personalization
5. Select Theme
6. Under Basic and High Contrast Themes, select "Windows Classic"

Fine tune visual performance options:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select System
5. Select Advanced system settings (on the left side)
6. select Advanced tab
7. Select Settings button under Performance
8. Select "Adjust for best performance."
9. Select the Ok button

In order to shrink up the task bar to be only "one line", you will need to check another box located here:

1. Right click the taskbar where there is nothing at
2. Select Properties
3. Taskbar tab
4. Check "Use small icons"

After that, Disable and Stop the Themes service.

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select Administrative Tools
5. Select Services
6. Select "Themes" service (Double Click)
7. Select General Tab
8. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
9. In the Service status area: select "Stop"
10. Select the Ok button to close the panel

You may also want to disable the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select Administrative Tools
5. Select Services
6. Select "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager" service (Double Click)
7. Select General Tab
8. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
9. In the Service status area: select "Stop"
10. Select the Ok button to close the panel

Rebooting is not required as each action performed above is applied at the time it is finished.

5). Updated Drivers

Download and install all updated drivers from the hardware manufacture sites. I cannot tell you what site you need to go to for your system components as I have no idea what is installed in your system, but do your computer a favor and get updated drivers for everything. Contact your PC builder or each manufacture for each item installed in your system.

As with every Windows release in the past, updated drivers fix bugs and also usually increase performance from the default OS drivers installed.

Usually, after the installation of each driver, you must reboot. If the driver installation program does not ask you to reboot, I still recommend to do so.

6). Lighten System Tray (Action Center)

 

After updating all my drivers, I remove any excess icons (most of them, basically) from the system tray (lower right) and check the services (Number Eight: Services) to ensure nothing else was installed (like NVIDIA's "driver helper"). Contrary to popular belief, those little "quick access" icons take up a lot of room and increase boot time.

Unfortunately, the Action Center is tough to get rid of and the "up arrow" can hide some of those icons. We can fix that.

1. Click the "up arrow" in the system tray
2. Select Customize...
3. Check "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar"
4. Select "Turn system icons on or off"
5. Turn off the icons you do not wish to use by pulling down the menu selection under Behaviors.

I leave Clock and Network on (personal preference) but get rid of Volume, Power (laptop) and Action Center (it annoys me).

If you choose to disable the Action Center system tray notification, you can always view what "would" be there by:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select Action Center

Using this method, I can check Action Center messages and not be nagged by those "balloon" pop-ups when I am trying to get stuff done. Your call.

7). Add/Remove Programs

 

Uninstall Windows 7 features that are unused. You can always put them back on later:

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Programs
4. Select Programs and Features
5. Select Turn Windows features on or off (on the left side)
6. Select the Continue button (if UAC is active)
7. Check or Uncheck needed/unneeded Windows features (such as Tablet PC Components or Windows Gadget Platform)
8. Select the Ok button

 

8). Services

 

Adjust for any additional unneeded services. Windows 7 Services Configurations have my recommended settings for all services and all versions as well as individual links to help you determine which services you can safely disable.

With the default Category Control Panel:

1. Head to Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Select Administrative Tools
5. Select Services
6. Select a service to adjust by double-clicking
7. In the General tab, Startup type section, select Automatic (Delayed Start), Automatic, Manual or Disabled.

If you like, you can also do: Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Run --> type in services.msc --> Select OK.

After configuring all services that you desire to change, reboot to see the effects of your tweaking.

Note: Do not use msconfig to stop services. It basically is "disabling" a service. Use the above procedure and set to "manual" instead for testing purposes.

If you have not already, reboot now.

If you have rebooted, do it again.