Introduction
When Microsoft Windows
XP starts up, a series of services are loaded. These
services perform a variety of functions and need to
be started depending upon the configuration of the
computer. A stand alone computer needs a different
set of services started than a network workstation.
A computer connected to the internet relies upon a
different set of services than a computer not
connected to the internet.
Knowledge of these
services, and which ones are being used also aid in
diagnosing computer problems. Often, turning these
states off or disabling them will provide clues to a
software or operating system problem.
In addition, laptop
computers often need as much memory and disk space
as they can get. Knowing which service can be turned
off and which needs to be on, makes a laptop operate
much more efficiently and much faster.
Startup
Operating States
The three basic
startup states for these services are as follows:
·
Automatic.
When this is selected the Service in question will
automatically be started when loading Windows
XP. This can increase booting time slightly,
although some Services must be set to this to ensure
correct running of XP, e.g. Remote Procedure Call
(RPC). Some Services will also get started due
to dependencies (Or because they are required) &
it’s best to set these to Automatic as well –
this can improve overall performance as well
slightly given that once loaded during startup they
will not be required to do so again.
·
Manual.
This option allows the Service in question to load
upon request. This works well for most Services –
saving resources & reducing boot time as they aren’t
loaded until required, although not all Services
function well like this, e.g. Print Spooler
or Protected Storage. System performance may
be slightly reduced while a Service is being
initiated also.
·
Disabled.
With this option selected the Service in question
cannot be loaded, even if requested. This option is
most useful for Security purposes only & for most
Services where you would have the option of
selecting Manual or Disabled it would
be best to go with Manual.
A local system is a
single computer. A local service operates on a
single machine.
|
Service |
Startup Type |
Log On As |
Additional information |
|
Alerter |
Manual |
Local Service |
|
|
Application Layer Gateway |
Manual |
Local Service |
|
|
Application Management |
Manual |
Local System |
|
|
Automatic Updates |
Automatic |
Local System |
|
|
Background Intelligent
Transfer Service |
Manual |
Network Service |
For information about
troubleshooting problems associated with
this service, see
Background Intelligent
Transfer Service (BITS) inactive job timeout |
|
ClipBook |
Manual |
Local System |
|
|
COM+ Event System |
Manual |
Local System |
|
|
COM+ System Application |
Manual |
Local System |
|
|
Computer Browser |
Automatic |
Local System |
|
|
Cryptographic Services |
Automatic |
Local System |
|
|
DHCP Client |
Automatic |
Local System |
|
The above chart is
from the Microsoft website: (http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/sys_srv_default_settings.mspx).
Service
Operating State
The following table is
from the Snakefoot.fateback website. They have put
together an excellent table showing services and the
services relationship between different Microsoft
operating systems (OS). Nt4 is the Windows NT4
operating system. 2K is Microsoft Windows 2000
operating system. XP is Microsoft Windows XP
operating system. 2K3 is Microsoft Windows 2003
operating system.
| 