Disabling 'Server' service and problem it causes

[JamesKuul]

Hopefully this is right group to ask....

Installed Windows XP Prof. just for fun.. . on astandalone comp
that's only conncected (if I feel like it :-D ) with ASDL to Internet,

Just playing around with it. Searched Net about Hardening/Securing
guides etc.and found few including about disabling non needes services
like this one:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

So I set up servcices according this guide. No problems at all,
however I noticed that when I disabled/stopped 'Server' service

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/Services/Server.htm

I couldn't open 'Computer Managemnt->Local Users and Groups->Users->
'any user'->Propertities->'Member Of' tab at all..

When I click it, window with 'The Following error occurred while
attempting to read the propertities for "Wharever user I chose":
Access is denied'.

When I start 'Server' service, I can view the 'Member Of' tab
again.....

None of the "Disable non needed Service guides" I found on the net
mention the 'Service' being that "inportant"

Is this how it should work.... I wouldn' definately think so... ?
sorry if this is silly question,as total 'non comp geek' just trying
to educate myself a little about XP for fun...

Cheers

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Define "important". I have both the Workstation and Server services
disabled. Neither one is important to me.

The Sharing tab will not be visible on Folder Properties if the Server
service (lanmanserver) is not running.

Both the Workstation service (lanmanworkstation) and the Server service are
needed for Local Users and Groups.

In Local Users and Groups\Users when in a User's Properties or Administrator
Properties, clicking on the Member Of tab results in...

---------------------------
Local Users and Groups
---------------------------
The following error occurred while attempting to read the properties for the
user Wesley Vogel:

The Server service is not started.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

Starting the Server service then results with...
---------------------------
Local Users and Groups
---------------------------
The following error occurred while attempting to read the properties for the
user Wesley Vogel:

The Workstation service has not been started.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

No errors when both the Server and Workstation services are started.

---------------------------
Local Users and Groups
---------------------------
The following error occurred while attempting to read the properties for the
user Administrator:

The Workstation service has not been started.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

Starting the Server service then results with...
---------------------------
Local Users and Groups
---------------------------
The following error occurred while attempting to read the properties for the
user Administrator:

The Server service is not started.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

No errors when both the Server and Workstation services are started.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[JamesKuul]

Thanks so much for replying...

So basically I could (should for security) disable both
Server/Workstation services and there would be no problems using the
comp for daily Internet surfing (propably not going to but
wondering...) in this type of simple setup (only one comp with just
ADSL connection). Just igonere these "errors"..
No regular user stuff ("surfing/whatever actives") or regular
Administration stuff (getting updates/ installing softwares are not
effected)..


Cheers

 

[Wesley Vogel]

It's entirely up to you.

It is always nice to know what happens when you disable a service. It is
even better to be able to remember all of that later when you have disabled
a service and wonder why something doesn't work. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[JamesKuul]

nice answer, doesn't say anything.. hahaha

,but seriously thanks for bothering to give reply...

Cheers,,

I will continue to play around and see what other fun stuff will
happen...

 

[frodo]

Option: rather than DISABLING the service, just REMOVE them completely.
You'll free up some ram, and close off some security risks.

Choose your primary network connection and go into its properties. On the
General tab you'll see the "network layers" that are installed; if they
are checked then they are also active (ie, bound) to that connection.
[They are checked by default and this is not necessarily the right
thing for you, do some research...]

The MS File Sharing line and the MS Client line are NOT NEEDED in a
standalone computer (typically); actually, the only line that's really
needed is Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); the other stuff (QOS, 802
Authentication, etc) is also not needed in simple single-pc/single-user
setups. So, highlight the line and click Uninstall. Upon reboot you'll
see that those Services (Server and Workstation) are no longer listed AT
ALL - they are not installed.

[Note doing this effectively prevents multi-user type stuff, like Fast
User Switching, Remote Assitance, Remote Login, etc. But, for a
standalone single-user system you really don't want that capability
enabled anyway. If you do, then don't follow this recomendation!].

If you find that you have issues after this, you can easily reinstall
these network layers. Just go back in as above and click Install, then
find those guys (MS FS and MS Client) and install them. [Again, THINK
carefully about whether you want to bind them to the connection however.]

I have run this way for many years, never an issue. Your Milage May
Vary...

a good reference: Black Viper (yes, He's back after more than a year away,
google for his new site). There are many others too, google away...

Good Luck.

 

[JamesKuul]

Crap.. hahaha.. had totally forgotten this..
Thanks for reminding...

Cheers