What Services can be Disabled in XP Pro?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alias
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A

Alias

I need to know because I have a computer with an AMD 800Mhz and only 256
RAM. Due to what HP did to the ASUS K7M MB, I cannot increase RAM. I
have set it to the Classic theme but is there anything else I can do to
free up RAM and the processor so that the computer will be quicker when
it opens programs, compacts OE, etc?

Thanks!

Alias
 
There's not a whole lot you'll be able to remove in terms of services. What
can be removed depends on what you plan on using the machine for as well. If
you're looking for some basic things like word processing, email and surfing
the net, then I'd suggest downgrading to XP Home. If you need the features
of Pro then a little further explanation of what you're trying to accomplish
will help better determine what it is you will or will not be able to remove.
 
Not sure of vision's point of view, but if you're running a stock install of
xp- there are a TON of services you can shut off. I run a tweaked machine
with 12-15 only, and I do EVERYTHING anyone would ever want to do- inet,
office apps, gaming, etc. Thing is, you simply have to know what each
service is to know if/when you want it or need it, or that you'll never use
it to begin with. For instance, running IPSec? Why run the service? etc.
It really can't be posted of 'what' you can shut off as you need to know what
the services do that you may shut off. BlackViper used to have an excellent
services list set of webpages but last look for me months ago the site was
gone. Search the web, service lists are a dime a dozen for explanations of
what each one does, etc. When you start working with this, services you want
to shut off, set to manual and overtime you'll find out what get's run and
what doesn't. If you shut down something you come to need, windows will
complain and simply go turn that service back on, etc.

One I found recently was cryptographic services has to be 'on' for service
pack installs.


Either way, good luck.

sc
 
sc said:
Not sure of vision's point of view, but if you're running a stock install of
xp- there are a TON of services you can shut off. I run a tweaked machine
with 12-15 only, and I do EVERYTHING anyone would ever want to do- inet,
office apps, gaming, etc. Thing is, you simply have to know what each
service is to know if/when you want it or need it, or that you'll never use
it to begin with. For instance, running IPSec? Why run the service? etc.
It really can't be posted of 'what' you can shut off as you need to know what
the services do that you may shut off. BlackViper used to have an excellent
services list set of webpages but last look for me months ago the site was
gone. Search the web, service lists are a dime a dozen for explanations of
what each one does, etc. When you start working with this, services you want
to shut off, set to manual and overtime you'll find out what get's run and
what doesn't. If you shut down something you come to need, windows will
complain and simply go turn that service back on, etc.

One I found recently was cryptographic services has to be 'on' for service
pack installs.


Either way, good luck.

sc
Click to expand...

I use the fax. I don't use much else that's native to XP other than
Outlook Express, the Search function, Windows Explorer, Defrag, etc. I
have no need for networking or PC Anywhere (or whatever it's called).

Thanks,

Alias
 
Vision2279 said:
There's not a whole lot you'll be able to remove in terms of services. What
can be removed depends on what you plan on using the machine for as well. If
you're looking for some basic things like word processing, email and surfing
the net, then I'd suggest downgrading to XP Home. If you need the features
of Pro then a little further explanation of what you're trying to accomplish
will help better determine what it is you will or will not be able to remove.
Click to expand...

Downgrading to Home isn't an option as I don't want to spend the money
for it.

Alias
 
Small footprint XP helps - I'd use maybe XPLite Trial to uninstall some
components. For a "Limited RAM" setup, there are around 23 services
that are basic/critical - others can be disabled (Carefully). Fast User
Switching should be off and maybe lower the color depth to Medium,
instead of High (32-Bit). Keeping Startups & Watchdogs at a minimum
count is critical and using "Low Resource" security applications will
help quite a bit. There are also a handful of Registry settings that aid in
running XP is a modest configuration.
 
Alias said:
I need to know because I have a computer with an AMD 800Mhz and only 256
RAM. Due to what HP did to the ASUS K7M MB, I cannot increase RAM. I
have set it to the Classic theme but is there anything else I can do to
free up RAM and the processor so that the computer will be quicker when
it opens programs, compacts OE, etc?

Thanks!

Alias
Click to expand...

Hi Alias. Here is what I do to performance tweak XP for slower machines:

Go into My Computer properties and go to Advanced tab. Click on
Settings button under performance and on Visual Effects tab select
Adjust for best performance.

Go in Display properties, Appearance tab, Effects button. Disable the
fade/scroll effects for menus.

Go into msconfig, uncheck all unnecessary processes in the startup tab.
I have only my antivirus processes ticked to run on that tab. Then go
to services tab and uncheck the following:

ASP .NET State service
Bluetooth service
Error reporting
Fast user switching
Help and Support
Infrared monitor
QOS RSVP
Smart Card
Smart Card Helper
Task scheduler
Uninterruptable power supply
Webclient
Wireless Zero configuration

Naturally, make these changes at your own risk, yada, yada. I am able
to disable all of these services because I know I don't use them. YMMV.
Good luck!
 
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