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Network DDE DSDM
Same as above.
Recommend: Disabled
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Required for use with the Internet Connection Sharing Service (server only.)
Recommend: Disabled
Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service
The Auto-Protect options enable you to customize the automatic protection feature of NAV. This feature works continuously
in the background to find and repair viruses
Recommend: Automatic
Norton Unerase protection
UnErase Wizard helps you recover files that are deleted from the standard Windows Recycle Bin. Although UnErase Wizard
can recover files that were not first protected with Norton Protection, enable Norton Protection to ensure the successful
recovery of all deleted files. You can search for a deleted file by its file name and by words that you think the file may
contain. This is especially useful if you cannot remember the file name, but you do remember its contents. This service is
almost useless, its a waste of resources and space.
Recommend: Disable
NT LM Security Support Provider
Not needed unless you are running Message Queuing or Telnet server.
Recommend: Disabled unless needed.
Nvidia Driver Helper Service
If a system is using an Nvidia 3-D graphics processor video card with the latest XP drivers from Nvidia, your users may
notice that their systems take a long time to shut down. They may be encountering a problem caused by a service called Nvidia
Driver Helper Service. This service has problems closing properly, yet doesn't provoke Windows XP to display the Wait, End
Task, Or Cancel dialog box. The service isn't really necessary, so you can change its Startup Type setting from Automatic
to Manual or Disable in the Services console.
Recommend: Disable
Performance Logs and Alerts
Collects performance data on a schedule and sends the information to a log or triggers an alert.
Recommend: Disabled
Plug and Play
The heart and soul of the Plug and Play environment. I do not recommend to disable this service, but if you want to, you
are on your own. Take note: UPnP is NOT related to PnP. UPnP is used for connectivity on networks via TCP/IP to devices, such
as scanners or printers. Your sound card is PnP. Do NOT Disable Plug and Play service.
Recommend: Automatic
PML Driver HPZ12
All in One office jet 6110xi installed with the All In One printers. So far as I can tell this is needed for these printers.
Recommend: Automatic
Portable Media Serial Number
Retrieves serial numbers from portable music players connected to your computer.
Recommend: Disabled
Print Hardware Detection
This is installed by HP printers. I wouldn't recommend disabling this service unless you don't use your printer. At all.
Recommend: Automatic
Print Spooler
Queues up print jobs for later printing. This service is Required if you have printers, even if they are network printers
Recommend: Automatic
Protected Storage
Allows for the saving of local passwords or even web sites information (AutoComplete.) If you enjoy having your passwords
saved in applications like Outlook or Dial up networking, set this service to Automatic.
Recommend: Automatic
QoS RSVP
Provides traffic control on a network using IPSEC and applications that support QoS, plus have an adapter that supports
it. The QoS Packet Driver is installed by default on any TCP/IP connections. I have also read that this adds about 20% overhead
to your network bandwidth.
Recommend: Disabled
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Creates a connection to a network when a program requests a remote address.
Recommend: Automatic
Remote Access Connection Manager
Creates a network connection. This service is Required if you use Internet Connection Sharing. This service may also be
Required for your Internet connection.
Recommend: Automatic
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Manages and controls Remote Assistance.
Recommend: Disabled
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
This service is rather Vital. Just about everything depends on this service to be running. This is also the only service
that you can not disable via the Services MMC.
Recommend:Automatic.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
Manages the RPC name service database.
Recommend: Automatic.
Remote Registry Service
This is one of those not needed services.
Recommend: Disabled
Removable Storage
Used for managing removable media. Disable this service if you do not have items like tape backup devices, etc.
Recommend: Disable
RIP Listener
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
Routing and Remote Access
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off the WinXP CD
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
Script blocking Service
Script Blocking stops script-based viruses A script is a list of instructions that can be executed without user interaction.
Scripts can be opened with text editors or word processing programs, so they are very easy to change. Script Blocking detects
Visual Basic and Java script-based viruses without the need for specific virus definitions. It monitors the scripts for virus-like
behavior and alerts you if it is found. Installed by Norton Anti Virus
Recommend: Automatic
Secondary Logon
Enables starting processes under alternate credentials.
Recommend: Disabled
Security Accounts Manager
Like Protected Storage, it saves security information for local users. This service is Required for IIS Admin.
Recommend: Disabled unless needed.
Server
Used for file and print sharing from your computer or if you use Message Queuing. Workstation is needed to connect to
another computer that has the files you are looking for.
Recommend: Automatic
Shell Hardware Detection
Used for the auto play of devices like memory cards, etc. Also, set to Automatic if you are experiencing problems
with laptop docking stations.
Recommend: Automatic
Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP)
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Supports the use of a local (outbound)
e-mail server.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
Smart Card
Supports the use of a Smart Card for local or network computer authentication. If you do not have a "Smart Card,"
you do not need this service running.
Recommend: Disabled
Smart Card Helper
Supports the use of a Smart Card for local or network computer authentication. If you do not have a "Smart Card,"
you do not need this service running.
Recommend: Disabled
SNMP Service
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Supports the use of networking
equipment that use SNMP as a mode of management.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
SNMP Trap Service
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Supports the use of networking
equipment that use SNMP as a mode of management.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
Speed Disk
This is installed by Norton System Works. Speed Disk is supposed to deccrease the ammount of time it takes to boot and
run windows applications. Windows builtin degrag does a better job than this program. This service is required to run Speed
Disk.
Recommend: Disable
SSDP Discovery Service
Used to locate UPnP devices on your home network. Used in conjunction with Universal Plug and Play Device Host, it detects
and configures UPnP devices on your home network. Take note: UPnP is NOT related to PnP. UPnP is used for connectivity on
networks via TCP/IP to devices, such as scanners or printers. Your sound card is PnP. Do NOT Disable Plug and Play service.
Recommend: Disabled
Symantec Event Manager
The NAV Event Manager receives information from all registered events. It is the middleman that ensures that the information
is then sent to the Log Viewer to be processed and displayed as part of the Activity Log Report
Recommend: Automatic (You can disable this and have Norton fucntion fine.)
Symantec Password Service
Added to NAV 2003 is the option to enable password protection for accessing Options. This provides another layer that
a virus or hacker would need to go through to disable modules in NAV, such as Auto-Protect or Email Scanning. It also allows
administrators to control who can change options in the program.
Recommend: Automatic (This isn't an essental service and you can disable it if you wish.)
Symantec Proxy Services
Proxy Services, for example, Symantec Email Proxy is required to manage Norton AntiVirus (NAV) email scanning feature.
Recommend: Automatic
System Event Notification
Used in conjunction with COM+ Event System, this service notifies particular services when system events, such as logon
and power events occurs. You will receive, in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if
Disabled.
Recommend: Disabled
System Restore Service
Creates system snap shots or restore points for returning to at a later time. This is the OTHER service that is a massive
resource hog.
Recommend: Automatic if resources are not an issue
Task Scheduler
This service is used to schedule maintenance, MS Backup sessions or maybe even Auto Update. Some third party software
may require this service to be active for automated functions, such as Virus Scanners, system maintenance tools, and Automatic
patch/driver lookups.
Recommend: Disabled
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Service Legacy support for NetBios over TCP/IP. If your network does not use NetBios, disable this function.
Recommend: Disabled
TCP/IP Printer
Server Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Used for setting up a local
UNIX print server. If you do not need this function, leave it uninstalled.
Recommend: Leave not installed or Disabled
Telephony
Controls telephony devices on the local computer. This service is Required for dial-up modem connectivity.
Recommend: Disabled, Automatic if you require dial-up connectivity
Telnet
Allows remote login to the local computer via the telnet function.
Recommend: Disabled
Terminal Services
Allows remote login to the local computer. This service is Required for Fast User Switching, Remote Desktop and Remote
Assistance.
Recommend: Disabled
Themes
Used to display all those pretty new XP themes and colors on your desktop. If you are memory conscious and do not care
about the "new" XP look, disable this service to save RAM.
Recommend: Disabled, unless you like the new xp look.
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Windows Update also has a "patch" for this service.
Recommend: Disabled
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Used in conjunction with SSDP Discovery Service, it detects and configures UPnP devices on your home network. Take note:
UPnP is NOT related to PnP. UPnP is used for connectivity on networks via TCP/IP to devices, such as scanners or printers.
Your sound card is PnP. Do NOT Disable Plug and Play service.
Recommend: Disabled
Upload Manager
As with BITS, this service manages file transfers between clients and servers on the network. This service is NOT required
for basic File and Print sharing.
Recommend: Disabled
Volume Shadow Copy
Used in conjunction with the MS Software Shadow Copy Provider Service. MS Backup uses these services. You will receive,
in the Event Log, a entry complaining about not having this service running if Disabled.
Recommend: Disabled
WAN Miniport ATW
Required if you use AOL for internet. If you don't use AOL then uncheck this.
Recommend: Automatic
WebClient
For security reasons, I recommend for this service to be Disabled.
Recommend: Disabled
Windows Audio
This service is Required if you wish to hear any audio at all. If your computer does not have a sound card, Disable this
service.
Recommend: Automatic
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Used for some scanners and cameras.
Recommend: Automatic
Windows Installer
This service is required for software applications that install using MSI files.
Recommend: Automatic
Windows Management Instrumentation
This service is Required if you want to see the "Dependencies" tab in service configuration and you want everything
to go smoothly.
Recommend: Automatic
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extension
Not as vital as Windows Management Instrumentation, but I recommend leaving this service.
Recommend: Automatic
Windows Time
Automatically sets your clock by contacting a server on the Internet. Great idea if your network is always connected to
the Internet, but otherwise, the Event Log fills up with "can not find server" messages.
Recommend: Disabled
Wireless Zero Configuration
Automatic configuration for wireless network devices. If you do not have any wireless network devices in use, Disable
this service.
Recommend: Disabled
WMDM PMSP Service
Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer
Recommend: Disable
WMI Performance Adapter
Another service not needed.
Recommend: Disabled
Workstation
Used to connect local computer to remote computers. Examples: Internet connectivity and local File and Print sharing.
Many services depend on Workstation to be functioning. Leave it on Automatic.
Recommend: Automatic
World Wide Web Publishing Service
Not installed by default, but if needed, you may install it later off of the WinXP CD. Used for setting up a local web
server.
Recommend: Leave it Uninstalled or Disabled.
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