turning off XP services

[sillyputty]

I see all sorts of recommendations about turning off XP services.
Knowing the misinformation that abounds on the internet (like
'registry cleaners'), I wonder about the recommendations for turning
off XP services. I'm on a wireless network, if it makes any
difference.

For example:
http://windowsxpsp2pro.blogspot.com/ recommends turning off various
services.

I've disabled Routing and Remote access, Alerter, Messenger and QOS
RSVP, because it appears I don't need them. However, the website I
noted recommends also turning off Computer browser, Smart card and
Terminal services, and I know there are other sources that say to turn
off
even more.

It makes sense that running services are using a computer's resources,
but it also made sense that unneeded registry entries were slowing
down
a computer, that we now know is BS.

Are running services really taking noticeable computer resources or is
disabling some a waste of time and could cause problems?

 

[Newbie Coder]

Silly Putty,

The website you listed is SPAM and for that reason I have removed your previous
message in this post

Things like Remote Registry, Scheduled Tasks, Messenger are safe to disable

 

[sillyputty]

The website you listed is SPAM and for that reason I have removed your previous
message in this post

Uh, no. It wasn't spam. I have no connection with the website, nor am
promoting it. I merely used it as an example.

Things like Remote Registry, Scheduled Tasks, Messenger are safe to disable

Ok, thanks.

 

[Ray Shafranski]

I wouldn't trust Microsoft any further than I could see them.

 

[mCassidy]

I see all sorts of recommendations about turning off XP services.
Knowing the misinformation that abounds on the internet (like
'registry cleaners'), I wonder about the recommendations for turning
off XP services. I'm on a wireless network, if it makes any
difference.

For example:http://windowsxpsp2pro.blogspot.com/recommends turning off various
services.

I've disabled Routing and Remote access, Alerter, Messenger and QOS
RSVP, because it appears I don't need them. However, the website I
noted recommends also turning off Computer browser, Smart card and
Terminal services, and I know there are other sources that say to turn
off
even more.

It makes sense that running services are using a computer's resources,
but it also made sense that unneeded registry entries were slowing
down
a computer, that we now know is BS.

Are running services really taking noticeable computer resources or is
disabling some a waste of time and could cause problems?

I would not say that I am qualified to specifically answer your
questions but I have done some research into this as well.
One site I have found to be extremely helpful is http://www.blackviper.com/
under the Service Pack 2 Configurations.
He basically breaks each service down into its function and gives some
feedback regarding the need for each one.

I have used his list as a guide to go through and decide how I wanted
each service to start-up and then gone back through my system and made
the changes. I have been happy with how everything is running. For
the most part it looks as though there is little harm that can be done
by experimenting with various set-ups. If an error pops up when using
a service/program you can go back through the list and enable the
cause. The exception looks to be Remote Procedure Call. I remember
there being some concern with messing with that one but I don't have
my notes in front of me now.

My original interest in this was not so much performance as security.

I hope this info helps.