How to disable unnecessary services in Windows

This is a summary of an article about how to disable and change Windows service you may find in details here and here.

1. Navigate  to Administrative Tools, by going  Start> Run> type services.msc
2. To start automatically or manually and disable services, double click on the service in the list. This opens a panel where, under “Startup Type” you can choose the desired option.

Below is a list of unnecessary services that you can disable or change to start manually  when you turn your Vista Computer on  to speed up your slow Windows Vista. Before you proceed make sure you write down the original settings of your Windows Vista Services just in case you disable services that you actually need. This

• AdobeLM Service: Not all computers have this service. If you are installing Adobe Reader on your computer, you can disable it.
• Alerter: If your computer is not connected to the internet or local area network you can disable this service, since it will not be  used by the system.
• Application Layer Gateway Service: This service is only required when you want o share internet connection.
• Application Management: Change the setting from automatic and manual.
• Automatic Updates: If you do not want to automatically receive Windows updates,  you’re recommended  disable automatic updated.
• ClipBook: This service is only require if only you are connected to a local area network or the internet. If you are not you can disable this service.
• Computer Browser: If your computer is used to connect to the internet and you can safely disable this service.
• Cryptographic Services: If you are not sure if you need this service, change the startup type from automatic to manual.
• Distributed Transaction Service: Set it to manual.
• DNS Client: If you are not connected to a network, then set it to manual.
• Error Reporting Service: Just disable it. It is useless to run this service, besides I have not heard people got any feedback after submitting error reports to Microsoft 
• Fast User Switching Compatibility: If you are the only person using the computer, or use the “switch user”, then you may disable this service.
• FTP Publishing: If you’re not on a network or if you do not use the FTP for downloading or uploading files to web server then I suggest you turn it off.
• Help and Support: If you do not need the “Help and Support” then I suggest you disable this service or set it to manual.
• HTTP SSL: Turn off the automatic start.
• Human Interface Device Access: If you do not use combinations of keyboard shortcuts and do not use remote access systems can be set to manual or disable this service.
• IIS: Internet Information Service allows your computer to function as a web server. If you do not use this function, or use alternative software, you can disable this service.
• IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service: Set this service in manual start mode allows you to save a good amount of memory and velocizzre your PC. Do not disable this feature if you have a DVD burner or CD burner installed on your computer.
• Indexing Service: This feature uses a lot of the CPU memory  resources on your computer. If you’re not storing large files on your computer , disabling  this service will help speed up Window Vista
• InstallDriver Table Manager: Turn this service off
• IPSEC Services: Set it to manual.
• Windows Messenger: If you are connected to a computer network, you’re recommended to disable this service since it uses a lot of memory.
• MS Software Shadow Copy Provider: Set it to manual.
• Net Logon: If you are not active on the network then I suggest you disable it.
• NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing: If you do not use the Remote Desktop to control remote computers , just disables this service.
• Network Provisioning Service: Disable it, because a service is not necessary if you are not connected to other computer network
• NT LM Security Support Provider: Disable this, it is completely useless.
• NVIDIA Display Driver Service: If you do not use the “nVidia Desktop,” then the service can be disabled because it uses lots of memory.
• Office Source Engine: If you have the installation CD of MS Office then you can disable this feature, this service is only useful if your Office installation is corrupted.
• Portable Media Serial Number Service: If you connect your  mobile devices to your computer I suggest you set it to manual, or disable this function completely.
• Print Spooler: If you are not connected to a printer this service is completely useless and you can safely disable it.
• Protected Storage: If you do not need to encrypt data stored on your computer then you can disable this function, too.
• Remote Desktop Help Session Manager: If you do not use the Remote Desktop feature to receive assistance and support from Microsoft if needed, then disable it.
• Remote Procedure Call Locator: Set it to manual.
• Remote Registry: disable this service
• Removable Storage: If you do not use portable storage devices, then set it to manual
• Routing and Remote Access: Set it to manual.
• Secondary Logon: This feature is completely useless so I suggest you disable it or set it to manual.
• Security Accounts Manager: If you do not use an NTFS encryption then you do not need to this sevice . Disable it.
• Security Center: It ‘s a useless function. Disable it.
• Server: If your computer is not connected yo other network computer disable this service.
• Smart Card: If you do not use smart cards simply disable it;
• SSDP Discovery Service: If your computer is not networked, then you can disable this feature.
• System Event Notification: If you do not have the need to monitor system events, such as user authentication. You can disable this service.
• Task Scheduler: If you’re not going to schedule a defragmentation or scan errors, then you do not need this service and you can disable it.
• TCP / IP NetBIOS Helper: If you are connected to the network set to start manually otherwise disable this service completely.
• Telnet: If you use this type of service then set it to manual, otherwise disable it.;
• Terminal Services: If you do not use the Remote Desktop feature then this feature is not needed and you can disable it.
• Uninterrupted Power Supply: If you have a UPS connected to the serial port of your computer, then I suggest you disable this feature.
• Universal Plug and Play Device Host: Set it to manual;
• User Privilege Service: Set it to manual.
• Volume Shadow Copy: If you do not run backup with “System Restore” or “Windows Backup” then you can disable this feature.
• Windows Firewall / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS): If you already use another firewall such as Norton or Zone Alarm, then I suggest you manually disable the Windows firewall, otherwise leave it active in order to protect your computer from unwanted external intruders.
• Windows Image Acquisition (WIA): If you do not plan to connect a camcorder to your computer or a scanner, then you can disable the service or set it to manual.
• Windows Media Connect: If you are not using media players like Windows Media Player and you have an iPod then you can safely disable this service.
• Windows Media Connect (WMC) Helper: If you disable Windows Media Connect, then you can do without the relevant driving. Disable this function.
• Windows Time: If your computer is not connected to a network synchronized, then you can disable this service.
• Wireless Zero Configuration: If you connect to wireless networks can do without this service.
• WMI Performance Adapters: Disable it, it’s a useless service for novice users.
• Workstation: If you are not connected to a network then you can safely disable this service.

After executing the above instructions hopefully will not be confused again when your Windows Vista runs slow and  stop asking the question why is my computer slow Vista