Windows Services List: Disable Vulnerable and Slow Services

Below is a list of Windows services that are most frequently targeted by external attacks and are generally recommended to be disabled for better security and performance:

• Remote Registry – Allows remote users to modify the registry on your computer. If you stop this service, only local users can change the registry.
• Terminal Services (TermService) – Enables remote connections to your machine over the network, allowing users to interactively access your desktop and applications. Disabling this service prevents remote desktop connections.
• SSDP Discovery Service (SSDPSRV) – Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network. UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) allows automatic configuration and connection of network devices, which can make your network more accessible to outsiders.
• Messenger Service – Sends administrative alerts to selected users and computers. If you don’t have a network or administrator, this service is useless. Disabling it also blocks net send messages, helping to hide your computer from automated spam.
• Task Scheduler – Allows you to schedule automatic tasks on your computer, such as running programs or scripts at set times. Some viruses exploit this service for auto-start. However, some antivirus programs (like Symantec or McAfee) use it for scheduled updates and scans, so don’t disable it if you rely on these features.
• Telnet – Lets remote users log in and run programs via Telnet clients. Disabling this service blocks remote Telnet access.
• NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (mnmsrvc) – Allows authorized users to access your Windows desktop over a corporate intranet using NetMeeting.
• Remote Desktop Help Session Manager – Manages Remote Assistance features.
• Computer Browser – If you don’t have a local network, you can disable this manually.
• Remote Access Auto Connection Manager – Disable if not needed.
• Distributed Transaction Coordinator – Disable if not needed.
• NetBIOS Support Module – Disable if not needed.
• Remote Desktop Configuration – Disable if not needed.
• Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) – If you have a scanner or digital camera connected, leave this enabled. Otherwise, disable it.
• Bluetooth Support Service – Disable if you don’t use Bluetooth.
• Windows Remote Management – Disable if not needed.
• Remote Desktop Services – Disable if not needed.
• Smart Card – Disable if not needed.
• Fax – Disable if you don’t use fax services.

How to Find These Services

Option 1: Click Start → Run → type services.msc → click OK.
Option 2: Go to Control Panel → System and Security → Administrative Tools → Services.

Additional Services That Slow Down Windows

Here are some more services that can slow down your system and can be disabled if you don’t use them:

• Automatic Updates – Manages downloading and installing Windows updates. Disable if you don’t use this feature.
• Secondary Logon – Allows processes to run under a different user account. If you only use your own account (besides the administrator), you can disable this.
• Print Spooler – Manages print jobs. Disable if you don’t have a printer.
• Help and Support – Disable if you don’t use Windows Help.
• Computer Browser – Maintains a list of computers on the network. Disable if you don’t have a local network.
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) – Disable if you don’t use a UPS device.

Disabling unnecessary services can help improve your computer’s security and performance. Always make sure you understand what a service does before disabling it, and keep in mind that some programs may rely on certain services to function properly.