Windows 7 and Windows Vista PerformanceTweak
For those of you wishing to get the most out of your memory hungry Windows Operating System, the guide can help disable unneeded services reducing both memory used and increasing performance.
For those who wish to get the most out of their Computer and you are not part of a corporate network, then you can safely disable the following services by going to
Windows 7 Control Panel–> System and Security –> Administrative Tools–> Services
Windows Vista Control Panel –> Administrative Tools –>Services
- Application Management
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Base Filtering Engine
- Block Level Backup Engine Service
- Certificate Propagation
- COM+ Event System
- Computer Browser
- Diagnostic Policy Service
- Diagnostic System Host
- Distributed Link Tracking Client
- Fax
- Function Discovery Provider Host
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- Human Interface Device Access
- IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
- Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
- IP Helper
- IPSec Policy Agent
- KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator
- Messenger Sharing Folders USN Journal Reader Service
- Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service
- Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider
- Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service
- Network Access Protection Agent
- Network List Service
- Network Location Awareness
- Offline Files
- Parental Controls
- PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator
- Portable Device Enumerator Service
- Print Spooler
- Program Compatibility Assistant Service
- Quality Windows Audio Video Experience
- ReadyBoost
- Remote Access Connection Manager
- Remote Registry
- Routing and Remote Access
- Secondary Logon
- Security Center
- Server
- Shell Hardware Detection
- SL UI Notification Service
- Smart Card
- Smart Card Removal Policy
- SNMP Trap
- SSDP Discovery
- Superfetch
- Tablet PC Input Service
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- Telephony
- Terminal Services
- UPnP Device Host
- Volume Shadow Copy
- WebClient
- Windows Backup
- Windows Defender
- Windows Error Reporting Service
- Windows Firewall — See Note
- Windows Image Acquisition
- Windows Media Center Extender Service
- Windows Media Center Receiver Service
- Windows Media Center Scheduler Service
- Windows Media Center Service Launcher
- Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
- Windows Search
- Windows Time
- WinHTTP WebProxy Auto-Discovery Service
- Virtual Disk
- Volume Shadow Copy
- Wired AutoConfig
If you do not use Windows Aero theme, the following services can be disabled:
- Application Experience
- Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
If you do not use any themes in Windows Vista, the following services can be disabled:
- Application Experience
- Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
- Windows Themes
While everyone on the internet has their own version of how to eek out more performance from Windows Vista and Windows 7, these are basic steps to get you running smoothly.
Note: You should only disable the Windows Firewall if you already have a third party firewall in place, such as a Cable / DSL Router that does Statefull Packet Inspection (SPI). Nearly all cable / dsl routers do this which where sold after 2004. Check your products documentation for more information.