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April 12, 2006



Slow Computer? Speed Up Your PC By Disabling Unnecessary Windows Services

 

Computer too slow?

If you have not had yet the experience of working on a PC that moves like a snail, you are a unique, rare human being.

slow_computer.jpg
Photo credit: BBspot

Even the New York Times asked the same question a few days ago.

"The problem, it seems, is largely that Microsoft's past success and its bundling strategy have become a weakness."

David B. Yoffie, a professor at the Harvard Business School, also told New York Times reporters Steve Lohr and John Markoff that:
"Windows is now so big and onerous because of the size of its code base, the size of its ecosystem and its insistence on compatibility with the legacy hardware and software, that it just slows everything down..."

Windows PCs have had a long tradition of not managing well long and uninterrupted use across different applications, too many applications when installed and removed from a PC and a slew of processes and services running at all times inside your PC RAM memory but which maybe actually completely unneeded by your computer.

Your computer is indeed filled with hidden functions and services whose existence you may barely know.

Most of the times, such a large number of unnecessary background programs is likely to slow down your computer to a crawl without any valid reason or necessity to do so.

You probably have heard people telling you that you can speed up your computer by stopping unwanted services. But when you look at the list of services running, you are unsure of what to shut down and what not to.

Here, thanks to Harsh J Chouraria, aka Qwerty Maniac, who generously contributed his research work is a small, but effective guide to help you identify those popular Windows services that you need to shutdown to regain some speed in your PC.


fast_snail_id86636_size350.jpg





Uneeded Windows services that you can turn off:

  • AdobeLM Service: Not all computers have this service, still it is useless, just disable it if you have it.

  • Alerter: Disable this one if you are not on a network because you will not receive alerts.

  • Application Management: Set this to manual.

  • Automatic Updates: Disable it if you don't require auto updating and patching of Windows. It is pretty useless if you use auto-patcher by NeoWin to update your Windows OS. Thus, you will save bandwidth.

  • ClipBook: Disable this if you are not on a network, since you don’t need to share anything.

  • Computer Browser: Disable this too if you are not on a network, as you don't need to browse and monitor connected computers.

  • Cryptographic Services: Set this to manual if you are not sure you need it.

  • Distributed Transaction Service: Set this to manual.

  • DNS Client: Set this to manual if you are not on a network.

  • Error Reporting Service: Disable this useless service for reporting errors to Microsoft, because they will hardly even reply to you for any error you get. Also saves lots of bandwidth.

  • Fast User Switching Compatibility: Disable it if you have only a single user on your computer, or if you do not use fast user switching feature much. That is, if you completely log-off and then allow other users to use your computer, then you do not need this. Note that this service is completely useless for low memory computers.

  • FTP Publishing: Disable this if you do not use FTP.

  • Help and Support: Set it to manual or turn it off if you do not use the help feature often. You can turn it on again when you want help.

  • HTTP SSL: Set it to manual.

  • Human Interface Device Access: Turn it off if you do not use hot-keys or remote systems on your computer; if you use them sometimes, it is better turn it to manual.

  • IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service: Set this to manual to save memory and time. Do not turn it off if you have a CD writer or a DVD writer attached to your computer.

  • Indexing Service: Turn it off, it uses lots of CPU. If you are an avid searcher, like a maniac, on your computer, leave it on since it will help you. If you know where your files are and do not use search that often, then disable it for your good.

  • InstallDriver Table Manager: Disable it, it does no harm in doing so.

  • IPSEC Services: Set this to manual.

  • Windows Messenger: Disable this if you are not on a network, it uses too much memory and it is a hog. Also, it does no good and sometimes it is likely to become a security threat.

  • MS Software Shadow Copy Provider: Set this to manual.

  • Net Logon: Disable if you are not on a network.

  • NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing: Disable this if you do not use Remote Desktop feature; in my opinion, it is a pretty useless feature.

  • Network Provisioning Service: Disable this, iti s useless if you are not on a network.

  • NT LM Security Support Provider: Disable this, its useless too.

  • NVIDIA Display Driver Service: If you do not use the features of nVidia Desktop, this service must be disabled; it is a big hog of memory.

  • Office Source Engine: Disable it if you have a MS Office CD handy always, its helpful if your installation goes corrupt.

  • Portable Media Serial Number Service: Set it to manual if you connect portable media to your computer, otherwise disable it.

  • Print Spooler: Disable it if you don’t have a printer.

  • Protected Storage: Disable it if you don’t allow strangers to sit on your encrypted storage computer.

  • Remote Desktop Help Session Manager: Disable it if you don’t use Remote Desktop feature for help and support from Microsoft which most probably is a "Yes".

  • Remote Procedure Call Locator: Set it to manual.

  • Remote Registry: Serious security threat if turned on, disable it no matter what.

  • Removable Storage: Disable it if you don’t use removable storage drives, else turn it manual.

  • Routing and Remote Access: Set it to manual.

  • Secondary Logon: Useless feature for most, disable it or turn it manual.

  • Security Accounts Manager: Disable it, it's pretty useless, unless you use NTFS Encryption.

  • Security Center: Damn useless and irritating feature. Disable it.

  • Server: Set it to manual or disable it if you are not on network.

  • Smart Card: Disable it if you don’t use smart cards on your computer.

  • SSDP Discovery Service: Disable it of not on network or don’t have UPnP devices on home networks.

  • Task Scheduler: Disable it if you don’t schedule tasks like defragmentation, error scans etc… and plan to do it your self instead.

  • TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: Set it to manual if on network, otherwise disable it.

  • Telnet: Set it to manual if you use this feature, otherwise disable it, especially if you are home users.

  • Terminal Services: Since you aren’t using Remote Desktop etc… disable it for good.

  • Uninterrupted Power Supply: Disable it if you don’t have an UPS attached to the serial port of your computer.

  • Universal Plug and Play Device Host: Set it to manual.

  • User Privilege Service: Set it to manual.

  • Volume Shadow Copy: Disable it if you don’t backup using System Restore or Windows Backup.

  • Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS): Disable this if you have another firewall such as Norton or Zone Alarm installed, otherwise let it remain ON for better security.

  • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) : If you don’t connect/use a camera/scanner with your computer, disable this service, else set it to manual.

  • Windows Media Connect: Disable this if you don’t use things such as an iPod etc… for your Windows Media Player.

  • Windows Media Connect (WMC) Helper: Disable this if you disabled the one above or if you don’t need help.

  • Windows Time: Disable if not on a synchronized network.

  • Wireless Zero Configuration: Disable if not on a wireless network.

  • WMI Performance Adapters: Disable it, useless service for basic usage.

  • Workstation: Disable if you aren’t on a network. Or simply, if you are a gamer, just shut this one.

baby_computer.jpg



Notes:

1. To enter service manager, go to Start > Run > Type services.msc and hit enter.

2. To toggle the startup type of a service between Automatic, Manual and Disabled, double-click on the required service and choose the specific option from the listbox titled ‘Startup Type’ in the General tab.

3. If you are unsure about a service or for some reason, think it's important, leave it alone or turn it to manual instead of disabling. It will help protect from damage.

4. Completely mastering service management is a task possible only by trial and error.

5. There are risks involved in turning down important services, better read the description before attempting to change a service’s startup type.



I hope I have been clear enough for you to understand what to disable and what not to. Enjoy a faster and healthier computer.



Photo credits:
Turbo Turtle: Scott Weichert
Baby & Notebook: Guimus

Qwerty Maniac -
Reference: The Typo Killer [ Read more ]
Conversation Tags: , , ,
Readers' Comments    
2009-06-30 09:50:36

Luca

there's a simpler way...
much simpler...
But a mac..



2009-06-01 01:45:23

kevin

Thanks

This is really vary good and helpful. I would like to see some more information like this in the future.

keep it up.



2009-04-18 05:02:30

Srikant

Words are poor to thank.



2009-04-06 16:56:07

mehraj pasah

i need the computer fast command please send me asap



2009-03-25 11:23:39

Ted Neustaedter

Thanks for posting this info. It's important that folks have the right information so they don't waste time and money buying a new PC when a few simply steps could get them going again. I also have a website that provides this type of information: slow-pc.com, I hope folks will check it out.



2009-03-05 15:08:31

Slow Computer

I agree that you are able to speed up your computer startup and overall computer speed a bunch with this guide. Great article and great tips.



2009-02-19 04:28:40

Mythbuster

Whilst you can speed up your PC by 0.001 turning off services, it is actually the biggest myth in computing and over weeks can slow down your PC.

Look at articles written recently [circa mid 2008], it's a complete con.



2009-02-09 03:38:59

Jocelyn

It worked for me! Thanks a lot.



2008-11-24 12:40:20

timothy

very nice...!is difficult too put all (or some) of this settings on vbs script or a .reg file?
thanx guys!



2008-10-19 16:55:14

Jace Clementson

please help me with this! I really want to play last chaos but it lags too much... I cant find where to turn off all that stuff u showed! Please tell me exactly how to do it on a regular windows emachine!



2008-10-11 14:58:45

robert

re: john zaroff - problems with windows restore

If you haven't already figured this out in the 3 months since you posted,
Volume Shadow Copy: Disable it if you don’t backup using System Restore or Windows Backup.

Re-enable volume shadow copy and it restore should work for you.



2008-10-06 06:59:30

toto

Thanks a lot.



2008-09-17 07:40:08

rockman

anoher good free program is
"glary utilities" download it free and it has everything in one interface that you could possibbly need to clean your computer.. another trick is to not compact your files...your computer takes longer to uncompact it and then recompaqct it....much better off buying a new harddrive and if you have two hardrives , put a pagefile on the secondary one and delete the pagefile on your primary harddrive... google it if you want to know how.!!



2008-08-27 13:09:55

Slow Computer

Interesting article



2008-08-20 11:14:20

John, Camas Homes

Thanks for the tips and the great comments as well. It is probably too much to expert from Microsoft for them to provide a decent user interface for us to safely manage this process.



2008-08-04 08:37:51

VGD-Neon From:Online Gamers Philippines vanguard

Thanks it helps alot specially im an active gamer specially in online gaming now both internet and my pc speeds up a lot.. Keep it up!! Im gald someone posted this to help us "NOVICE"

BY: LUG , E-GAMES , IJJI , MMOSITE , Private Servers Inc.



2008-07-24 16:25:07

Larry Miller

Two services mentioned here should not be disabled.

DNS Client:
If you have internet access leave this enabled. This will disable DNS caching which will impair most internet activities.

Task Scheduler:
The prefetch system requires that it be enabled and set to Automatic. If disabled, prefetching will be crippled causing both boot and application launch times to be impaired. Over time this can become severe.

Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA



2008-07-05 10:13:13

john zaroff

I did most of the changes recommended. If I wasn't sure, I didn't make the change.

Now, I can't go back to a previous restore point. I have tred 3 system restore points that go back from 3 days to 40 days and the system will not allow the restore. Any suggestions?



2008-06-23 22:40:42

Elie

thanks rockman for your help with ccleaner. any other freeware that helps speed up your comp



2008-06-07 22:34:55

rockman

i agree do all the above- it does speed it up , but also download a programe called CCLEANER , yes it has two "c"s , it fixes registry -cookies- and other stuff in one click- my fist scan cleanned 659 MB of useless crap from my computer and after a defrag works really fast.



2008-06-04 00:13:50

Elie

Should i download a Registry Cleaner. If so which one



2008-05-28 16:32:51

Robin Good

Thank you Alex for your very responsible comment. I think there is indeed some risk for those who have little tech confidence in taking this up.

But when it comes to "so many safer, better ways to do it..." could you share with this community a few we could use?



2008-05-28 16:26:28

Alex Kramer

You shouldn't disable services because it's incredibly risky. This article works with one set of hardware and software. That by no means ensures that it will work for everyone. Also, the people who would try to disable services would probably be those who don't know enough to really warrant it. Thus, the potential for error and negative impacts is exponentially greater. If you want to speed up your computer, there are so many safer, better ways to do it.



2008-05-19 07:00:23

Vanderwalker

Very very helpful, it really worked ! in a moment I have a reall fast computer. I just wrote in a .txt what changes I did, so I always can return to the deault system. Tank you !



2008-05-11 15:52:38

Drake

Thanx this really worked!!! This shud b used by people who se computers are dragging and making music skip when opening a program. Thanx again!!!!!



2008-04-25 11:00:38

Ann

I've used this one

http:myquickpc.com

and it worked ok for me :)

-Ann



2008-04-23 20:33:48

Josep1

Dont Do it
It messed up my computer and it doesnt speed ur computer up wat so ever. it stayed the same



2008-04-23 06:23:23

Rob

Couln't agree more!

However, it should also be noted that computers slow down because their users wantonly install applications and fill up both memory and disk space. So many applications add either a service or start up a program in the background or put something in the system tray.

Everything you put on to it just burns up more resources!



2008-03-26 11:39:45

Sernity

Thanks this really helps.To the people that said that it made your computer run slow than you disabled programs that your computer relys on that is why you really need to know how your programs effect your computer one of my computers is setup just for games and fun while the other is setup for work it helped the one for fun so be careful and know what programs your computer is set for.



2008-03-17 10:16:06

Freddie55

I have started to use processlibrary.com's ProcessScanner on a regular basis. It tells you exactly what you have running, what each process is and which program it's associated with. It also tells you how resource-heavy each is, so you can see what is taking up capacity. It helps me to keep things running optimally.

http:www.processlibrary.com



2008-03-07 23:01:43

Cody Cannon

There are two sides to this story:
1) People who turn off the right programs and use caution should experience an increase in speed if the problem isn't cause by an unkonwn service that is run as a result of a virus. The increase is determined by the amount of RAM that is available to the computer. Low RAM = a greater increase in speed as a result of this.

2) People who don't use caution and shut down the wrong programs. YES, I'm talking about you, the people who are probably reading this on there friends computer because theirs crashed as a result of their stupidity.



2008-02-23 14:17:16

Sara

I disabled most of what is recommended here.

Browsing through folders is a LOT faster. Most softwares (word, adobe, explorer, ect) still open and run slowly.

Disabling the Security Center is the best thing ever!



2008-02-21 08:54:26

J0llyB0y

This shouldn't affect your computer negatively, but as always make sure you have your important stuff backed up and possibly set a system restore point for if it all goes tits up.



2008-02-08 05:53:37

FiddleSticks

OMG!This thing sucks.I tried it but my pc speed is still the same..........Negaive 10 stars!



2008-02-03 23:19:22

Jake

This really screwed my computer up. ALl my shortcuts are gone. Most of my stuff won't start up, hope fully after I restore these settings, Itll work again.

My tip: DONT USe



2008-01-23 03:43:53

Steve See

If you use this be very careful...I had to restore as many things crashed...not for everyone, but good if you know what you are doing...do not play with settings unless you KNOW what you are doing!



2008-01-11 23:39:26

Bernadette

I thought this was just one of those worthless speed-up your PC stuff. But this one really works. Helped a lot.

Thanks for posting this. ^^



2007-12-21 18:02:29

Tom

WOW, what a difference. Wish I had done this a long time ago. The guy with the problems must have changed the wrong thing. I almost did by opening one next to the one I wanted.



2007-12-19 09:07:28

doug

I tried this man- my pc don't work no more, it makes it very very slow not faster. I turn on and it just goes brrr brrr and some stuff comes up and then nothing, I'm still waiting for the repair man, he say I shouldnt have meddled in the pc, marta my wife says I'm just a good for nothing. Man you really screwed up my life with your clever stuff here...



2007-11-23 12:11:59

naheem

wow.... it really works



2007-11-18 05:35:18

Ian Mark

wow... my PC performance much faster than before... thanks a lot for being post this thread...



2007-10-30 11:58:53

Slydog22

This has been a huge help for me. I am wondering if there are any UPDATES to this as we near the 2 year mark since this first came out? I have so much that simply isn't listed I'm not sure what to do with.

Thanks big time, Slydog22



2007-10-16 12:52:50

Donny McClure

WOW, I can't believe the difference, can you update this article every year!



2007-09-28 16:02:43

Damian

Thank you for the thorough help on disabling uneeded features, much appreciated.



2007-09-09 05:01:33

dyobi

geezz! thanks a lot! very informative indeed! thank you so much!=)



2007-09-09 04:36:42

NoAdware Blog

Thanks for sharing these tips. I found out that my computer runs much smoother after shutting of un required services.

I have XP and after I switched to classic windows theme I saw an instant improvement in speed. Win XP super cool colors, themes, shadows and that nice stuff makes it run slow.

Thank You!
Karl



2007-09-06 02:52:02

Florentino Villaro

Excellent information, I noticed a big difference in my computer speed after going through the list, making the adjustments and rebooting. Thank you.



2007-07-18 09:24:39

Juhi Basoya

Hey Livia,
Thanks for that great article. Makes you value the net all over again.

I do however have a query that I hope you can help me with - The Remote Procedure Call service in my comp, is set to automatic. I tried to change it but the options are greyed out. What and how can I go about changing that? Please help.

Thanks,
Juhi



2007-07-09 01:51:01

Jacob

Wonderful article. Knew to do those defragment/cleanup utilities, but never knew how to disable windows services. Thanks a lot!



2007-06-20 06:16:07

brintaz

Wonderful article. Helped me boost my system speed. Also found that my drive was badly fragmented,never realised that its another important cause of slowdown.After a defrag, the performance improvement was very obvious.



2007-06-05 17:19:17

Aaron

since i disabled them i cant print on my pc wirelessly (i use the windows network thing i dont have wireless printer) anyway i did all the reccomendations for netwrks and all andd i changed them to auto w/ no success can u help me?? (just list all the possibilities of servics that could cause the problems) plz e-mail me at atbball98@aol.com



2007-05-29 06:22:26

lyn

Thank you for the fantastic info. My computer is now running much faster after disabling unnecessary Windows services. You're doing the world a great service.



2007-04-23 17:33:25

Bob

Thanks very much for your work on this; I've always tried to keep up to date on unnecessary services info, and your article allowed me to make adjustments to settings which had not been so clearly explained elsewhere. (In particular the



2007-04-05 23:36:44

jhun acosta

Thanks!!! Very Helpful.



2007-04-05 00:54:16

vijendra malik

Thanks ! It was really helpful.



2007-03-24 01:03:41

Dano

Kudos to you man!!!! This is really cool and glad that you were (by trial and chance) able to figure out what it is that we need to do to keep systems running more efficiently!!! My machine is only a year old and believe me, a 2.6GB processor slowing down only after a year's time isn't funny, or even having almost 3G on memory for that matter...I'm so glad my machine is running like new again and why the heck windows has to keep adding unnecessary junk to run in the background is beyond me. Now my graphics designing work is ultimately rendering faster and so forth. Thanks a Bunch! and do feel free to contact me about any other things that can contribute towards keeping my PC at its peak performance!



2007-03-09 22:06:46

kenny

this is super cool.. my system is now like an fi car. man its damn fast...



2007-03-03 22:36:46

Jason

thank you i nevr knew you could that with your computer it saved me about a good 200 dollars!



2007-02-16 22:39:05

Anysia

Thank you for this very informative page. I have an older Acer 2.6ghz Pent4 that was running so slow, and having lock ups. I followed the instructions, and it's running with noticeable improvement on speed and stability.



2007-01-09 09:00:27

Robin Good

But there is a Spanish version as well.

See the link on top of the page above the title.

http://tinyurl.com/yk5ky5



2007-01-09 07:31:31

Lluis

This really helped, even though my PC is in spanish so I had to do some deciphering. Thanks a lot!



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posted by Livia Iacolare on Wednesday, April 12 2006, updated on Friday, October 26 2007


 

 

 

 

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