Vista Service Guide: PART 2

As I mentioned in Vista Service Guide Part 1, Windows Vista has several new services and features that we do not all need. I have gone through the list of services that are running in Windows Vista and compiled a list of services that you can safely disable. Before I get started, it is necessary to understand how to disable services in Windows Vista. Similar to other version of Windows, you will be using the Services MMC. Follow the steps below to get started with the Services applet.

1. Click the Start Button, key in services.msc and hit Enter.
2. To stop and disable a service, just right click on a service and select Properties.
3. Then, in the properties box change the Startup type to Disabled and hit OK. The next time that you restart your computer the service will no longer be able to start.

Now that you know the basics of disabling a service, I can begin going over the services that I have found that can be disabled to increase your system performance. Below is a list of services that can be disabled. Some provide value added features, so if you use a feature associated with the service consider if it is really worth the slight performance gain compared to the usefulness of the feature.

iPod Service - iPod hardware management services.

IPsec Policy Agent - Internet Protocol security (IPsec) supports network-level peer authentication, data origin authentication, data integrity, data confidentiality (encryption), and replay protection. This service enforces IPsec policies created through the IP Security Policies snap-in or the command-line tool "netsh ipsec". If you stop this service, you may experience network connectivity issues if your policy requires that connections use IPsec. Also,remote management of Windows Firewall is not available when this service is stopped.

Messenger Sharing Folders USN Journal Reader service - Service installed by Messenger to enable sharing scenarios.

Network Location Awareness - Collects and stores configuration information for the network and notifies programs when this information is modified. If this service is stopped, configuration information might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

NMIndexingService – A component of the Nero CD/DVD burning software that is not needed for burning.

Offline Files - The Offline Files service performs maintenance activities on the Offline Files cache, responds to user logon and logoff events, implements the internals of the public API, and dispatches interesting events to those interested in Offline Files activities and changes in cache state.

ReadyBoost - Provides support for improving system performance using ReadyBoost. If you do not use ReadyBoost, disable this.

Tablet PC Input Service - Enables Tablet PC pen and ink functionality.

Telephony - Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.

Terminal Services – Allows users to connect interactively to a remote computer. Remote Desktop and Terminal Server depend on this service. To prevent remote use of this computer, clear the checkboxes on the Remote tab of the System properties control panel item.

Terminal Services Configuration - Terminal Services Configuration service (TSCS) is responsible for all Terminal Services and Remote Desktop related configuration and session maintenance activities that require SYSTEM context. These include per-session temporary folders, TS themes, and TS certificates.

Terminal Services UserMode Port Redirector - Allows the redirection of Printers/Drives/Ports for RDP connections
You have now finished part 2 of my service guide for Microsoft Windows Vista! If you have not already done so, take a look at Part 1 of the service guide.

You have now finished part 2 of my service guide for Microsoft Windows Vista! If you have not already done so, take a look at Part 1 of the service guide.