Which services do I really need?

[Guest]

I noticed one thing while running Windows XP. There are a lot of services running in the back ground. When I type in MSCONFIG to control my start up menu I selected the Services Tab and boom! When I use Pinnacle Studio 8 to render a movie I now have to go and shut down services that are running in the back ground and interrupting the Studio program. When I look down the list I can't beleive that I need all of those services running at the same time. But that is the real issue. I don't want to shut down a service that will prevent me from even restarting windows XP. We are not talking about networking services alone here. Please help!!!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Do not tamper with services. They are not being used all the time.
If you're having memory issues, purchase and install more RAM.
The number of services you show are not unusual.

Services Guide for Windows XP
http://theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

It is advisable not to disable Windows XP services,
but you can if you wish to reinstall XP every now and then.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------


| I noticed one thing while running Windows XP. There are a lot of services running in the back ground. When
I type in MSCONFIG to control my start up menu I selected the Services Tab and boom! When I use Pinnacle
Studio 8 to render a movie I now have to go and shut down services that are running in the back ground and
interrupting the Studio program. When I look down the list I can't beleive that I need all of those services
running at the same time. But that is the real issue. I don't want to shut down a service that will prevent
me from even restarting windows XP. We are not talking about networking services alone here. Please help!!!

 

[Guest]

You can turn off all startup services for any third party software that you have installed. Keep the Virus programs in the startup. You can also turn off both messengers listed.

www.keen.com/Vince Healey

 

[Bee]

I noticed one thing while running Windows XP. There are a lot
of services running in the back ground. When I type in MSCONFIG
to control my start up menu I selected the Services Tab and boom!
When I use Pinnacle Studio 8 to render a movie I now have to go and
shut down services that are running in the back ground and interrupting
the Studio program. When I look down the list I can't beleive that I
need all of those services running at the same time. But that is the real
issue. I don't want to shut down a service that will prevent me from
even restarting windows XP. We are not talking about networking
services alone here. Please help!!!

Interestingly, Terence Green in Hands On of the current issue of Personal
Computer World discusses precisely your concern, which focuses on the bad
advice of disabling the RPC service (Remote Procedure Call, of MS Blaster
worm fame). He concludes, "It's inadvisable to disable a service without
being aware of all the ramifications. Many Windows services have
dependencies -- other services that depend on them -- and some may be
critical to correct (system) operation, as is the RPC service. If you plan
to disable a service, review the dependencies first,...". How to do it and
other details from "A Little Caution for Better Protection -- Disabling
Services to Reduce Attacks On Windows Computers Must Be Done Carefully" in
the monthly British magazine.

Bee.

 

[mikey]

here is one place to start
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22-5103176.html?tag=e064

and another but takes a little more knowledge on what you are doing.

http://www.blkviper.com/index.html



(e-mail address removed)



I noticed one thing while running Windows XP. There are a lot of services running in the back ground. When I type in MSCONFIG to control my start up menu I selected the Services Tab and boom! When I use Pinnacle Studio 8 to render a movie I now have to go and shut down services that are running in the back ground and interrupting the Studio program. When I look down the list I can't beleive that I need all of those services running at the same time. But that is the real issue. I don't want to shut down a service that will prevent me from even restarting windows XP. We are not talking about networking services alone here. Please help!!!

 

[noone]

Yes, you can tweak your system to reduce the number of running services,
but it should not be done without some care, and of course, understanding!

First things first, NEVER disable RPC (remote procedure call), everything
depends on it. XP normally won't even allow you to do that, but I've
heard of people who somehow managed to do it and, voila, no boot-up!

Second, do NOT use msconfig to disable services, use the Services MMC
console (admin tools, services). Use it to adjust the "Startup Type",
typically changing "automatic" to "manual" (usually safe), and sometimes
"disabled" (use with caution). There are some services which you SHOULD
disable, like UPNP, Remote Registry, and SSDP.

Best source of info is Black Viper:

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm
http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Do a google on "XP services", there are other sites with good info too;
most you'll find will refer you to Black Viper tho.

Read and Understand before changing anything, and take good notes on what
you change so you can put it back if necessary. Go slow, change only 1 or
2 things at a time, reboot, and verify that your stuff still works ok.

Good Luck.

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone!
1. I have 512Mb of Ram so that should not be a problem. Unfortunately my motherboard will not support more. So I have two programs that are memory hogs. XP and Studio. I will not bother to discuss how irritating that is

2. No not all of the services are running, but those that are, the messenger functions in particular, use a good deal of memory. I also think that it is the interupption of these service going out and doing what ever they do that is causing the problem, not so much the amount of memory that they use.

Question
3. Several of you have mentioned that there is a dependant link with some of these services. I am at work and not at my computer, so is it obvious how to check for dependancies?

Also, is this messenger service part of the MSN messenger thing? Because really, I am not in a situation that I really care about that particular functionality

Again, thank you all so much for all the help! I am really impressed with the response and the response content!

 

[noone]

when in the Services MMC Console, select a service and choose properties
to bring up the major config dialog. In there you'll see the "StartUp
Type" field, along with the Dependencies button.

No, the Messenger Service has nothing to do w/ Windows Messenger or MSN
Messenger. It's a much older "tool", originally intended for users on a
private work network, it allowed the network administrator to send
messages to all the users (like "Server X going down for repair in two
minutes, please log off."]. Today it's not used much, and is often abused
by spamers. Receiving Messenger pop-up spam is a symptom of a PROBLEM, do
not simply disable the service, what you need is a firewall to prevent
those msgs from getting into your machine in the first place.

 

[Guest]

Okay I applied the Firewall function that comes with Windows XP, is that enough? Or do I need to go and buy a different one? Also I am on a Dial up so I am not on the net all the time. Not that it makes much of a difference

I have no need to send out messages like "Server X is going down for repair". Although I have seen those messages at work, but this is my home PC and we only have one not a network, at least at this point. So what impact does it have to disable the messenger service? Just curious. I have no problem temporarily shutting it down when working on my videos but it would be easier to just not think about it
Besides on those links that you gave me he talks about disabling this feature since it uses quite a bit of memory, according to him.

 

[noone]

go ahead and disable the Messenger service if you want, just do it to free
up memory, not to stop the spam.

Zone Alarm is a good free firewall, better than XP's built in. it alerts
you to outgoing internet connections too, not just incomming. that's
important if you should pick up a trojan that tries to send out to the
net, you'll be altered to its presence as soon as it tries. And you can
also stop legit apps from "phoning home" if you want.