www.jstechs.com > System Tools > Services
Services are programs that start and run in the background when the computer first boots, even before any user logs in.
Most services are necessary for the system to function properly. Additionally, there are a few programs such as antivirus or firewalls which use services that load with the system to provide protection.
A few of these services are not needed and can be safely disabled on most systems.
To access the Services Management window go to Start > Run > type services.msc click OK
TIP: for a quick way to bring up the Run dialog use the keyboard shortcut Winkey+R.
The main Services Management window provides useful information on how services are configured; including the name of the service, a description of the service's purpose, the current status (e.g., started, stopped ), how the service is configured to start, and what account the service will use to start.
TIP: for a quick way to bring up the Run dialog use the keyboard shortcut Winkey+R.
The main Services Management window provides useful information on how services are configured; including the name of the service, a description of the service's purpose, the current status (e.g., started, stopped ), how the service is configured to start, and what account the service will use to start.
For detailed information on a specific service, or to modify how a service behaves, right-click the service and click Properties.
To modify how a service starts click on the Startup Type and change it to Manual, or Disabled. If you are not absolutely sure about a service, DO NOT disable it. Set it to Manual and the system can start it as needed.
The following services can be disabled on most computers.
- Alerter
- ClipBook
- Human Interface Device Access - (Unless you use predefined hot buttons on certain keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices.)
- Indexing Service
- Messenger
- Network DDE
- Network DDE DSDM
- Routing and Remote Access
What is Svchost.exe?
One of the most common questions about services in Windows is what is Svchost.exe, and why is it running so many times?If you go to the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete), and go to the Processes tab you'll likely see multiple instances of "svchost.exe". What are all these for?
For an answer to that question we turn to none other than Microsoft...
"Svchost.exe is a generic host process name for services that run from dynamic-link libraries (DLLs)."
That doesn't tell you a whole lot now does it?
If you're still interested and want to know more about it and why it's running multiple times, have a look at KB314056
