Disable unnecessary services in Windows 7

Every version of Windows is released with a mandatory core service suite in the system so that the system can perform basic operations.However, your organization may not necessarily run all these services. Disabling unnecessary services can improve performance and security. The article lists 13 services that are likely to be disabled in Windows 7, which almost never affect business operations.

IP Helper

Function: Provide tunnel connectivity by using IPv6 (6to4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, Teredo) transition technology and IP-HTTPS. If this service stops, the computer will not have the advanced connectivity utilities that these technologies provide.

Why can be disabled : Many organizations have not yet started IPv6 testing, not to mention deployment. As mentioned, IP Helper service is promoted in the IPv4-IPv6 transition process.

Offline Files

Function: Offline Files maintains activities in the Offline Files cache, responding to user log and log events, general API settings, and reporting interesting events in the Active Offline Files and changes in cache state.

Why can it be disabled: If your company does not use the Offline Files feature in both Windows server and client, this service can be safely disabled. If you are syncing files on the network, you should not disable this service.

Network Access Protection Agent

Function: NAP collects and manages secure information for clients on the network. The information collected by NAP is used to ensure that clients have the required software and settings.

If a client does not conform to the security policy, it may have to accept limited network access until the configuration is updated. Depending on the configuration, the client can be automatically updated so that users can quickly regain full network access without having to manually update their computers.

Why can it be disabled: If you are not working on a system error, or if you are fixing a bug with a third-party tool without taking advantage of the NAP client, this service can be disabled.

Parental Controls

Function: This service is a stub for the Windows Parental Control function that exists in Vista. It is provided only for backward compatibility.

Why can it be disabled: Business networks rarely use the Parental Control function. Moreover, this is a service inherited from Windows Vista.

Smart Card

Function: The management of smart card access is done by this service. If this service stops working, the computer will not be able to read the smart card. If this service is disabled, it is obvious that any service that depends on it will not work.

Why can it be disabled: If your company does not use a smart card for authentication purposes, you can safely disable this service.

Smart Card Removal Policy

Function: Allows configuration of the system to lock the desktop after removing the smart card.

Why can be disabled: If the company does not use smart cards for authentication purposes, you can disable safety.

Windows Media Center Receiver Service

Function: Windows Media Center Service for TV broadcasting and FM channels.

Why it can be disabled: In most corporate environments, TV and FM relay on desktop computers is not considered an "important business strategy" that needs support, and it is often not accepted. You can disable this service to save some resources.

Windows Media Center Scheduler Service

Function: Start and end recording television programs in Windows Media Center.

Why can it be disabled: Like the Reciever service, there is no need to record TV shows in a business environment.

Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service

Function: Share Windows Media Player library to other users on the network and multimedia devices using Universal Plug and Play.

Why can it be disabled: On the corporate network, Windows Media Player is not nearly useless, perhaps only in the home network. Disabling this service will not affect business operations.

Fax

Function: Allows you to send and receive faxes, take advantage of available resources on your computer or on the network.

Why can it be disabled: If the organization does not use the fax service in the network, disabling this service will not affect the business.

Home Group Listener

Function: Create changes to the internal computer in combination with configuration and maintenance for the computer to join the Home Group. If this service is stopped or disabled, your computer will not function properly in a Home Group and your Home Group may not work correctly.

Why can it be disabled: Most business organizations except some smaller organizations cannot use the Home Group to share resources on the network. It's almost safe to disable this service in the business network system.

Home Group Provider

Functions: Perform network tasks related to configuring and maintaining Home Group groups. If this service is stopped or disabled, your computer will not be able to detect other Home Groups and your Home Group may not work correctly. We also recommend that you keep this service.

Why can be disabled: As mentioned above, only very small organizations are able to use Home Group groups to share resources on the network, so it is almost always safe to disable Chemical this service in the system.

Tablet PC Input Service

Function: Activate the pen and ink functions in the tablet.

Why can it be disabled: most computers deployed to users without hardware can take advantage of the same capabilities as tablets. This service only uses system resources without benefits.