Windows Vista Services Tweak Guide v1.0

This guide is only recommended for power users. Inexperienced Windows users should NOT use this. It's also recommended that you have in-depth knowledge about network security. The guide is meant to be used with Windows Vista RTM build 6000.

Beware: Disabling some of the services below may have a negative impact on your system/network security. I take no responsibility what so ever of any negative consequences these tweaks may have on your system, hardware or life. Use on your own risk.

Disable the following services to improve performance and decrease RAM usage:

Base Filtering Engine
Disable if you don't use the Windows Firewall or use any other firewall. Basically it's not related just to Windows Firewall and it doesn't hurt to have it enabled. If you want to disable the firewall then do it in the GUI. Actually, once you get the hang of the Vista firewall its pretty neat and useful - its just hard to configure until you get used to it.)

Diagnostic Policy Service
Diagnostic Policy Service (part of the performance tuning foundation for Vista don't disable but you can set to manual)

Distributed Link Tracking Client

Function Discovery Provider Host

Function Discovery Resource Publication

Internet Connection Sharing
Disable if you don't need to share your internet connection.

IP Helper
Disable to improve network performance and decrease RAM usage.
Will also disable IPv6 connectivity over IPv4. Might be useful in the future.

IPSec Policy Agent
Disable to improve network performance and decrease RAM usage.
Disabling will have a negative impact on network security.

KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Disable if you don't use MSDTC and/or KTM.

Messenger Sharing Folders USN Journal Reader service
This service is only available if Messenger Live is installed.
Disable if you don't use Messenger Live's sharing folders.

Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider
Disable if you don't use MS Shadow Copy.
Disabling will have a negative impact on system redundancy.

Network List Service
Disable if you aren't connected to a LAN with multiple computers or if you don't share files or printers through your LAN.

Network Location Awareness
Disable if you aren't connected to a LAN with multiple computers or if you don't share files or printers through your LAN.

Offline Files
Disable if you only use local profiles and aren't connected to a domain.

Portable Device Enumerator Service
Disable if you don't need to syncronize data with removable storage (such as mp3 players. This will not affect third party applications such as iTunes, only applications using this service, e.g. Windows Media Player).

Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Disable if you don't care about compatibility issues. (Running applications in compatibility mode will still function.)

ReadyBoost
(no need to disable, does not impact performance and only works if you have the right device to use eg...USB key. Set it to manual instead)

Remote Access Connection Manager
Disable if you don't use dial-up connections and/or VPN-networks.

Routing and Remote Access
Disable if you don't need to route network data within a LAN or WAN.

Secondary Logon
Disable if you don't need to login two users at once.

Security Center
Disable if you can take care of the system security manually.

Server
Disable if you don't share files and/or printers through LAN.

Shell Hardware Detection
Disable to remove autoplay functionality on removable media.

Tablet PC Input Service
Disable if you don't have a Tablet PC.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Disable. Totally useless if you don't use NetBIOS (NetBT).

Telephony
Disable if you don't use dial-up connections.

Terminal Services
Disable if you don't use Remote Desktop.
Disabling will improve system security.

UPnP Device Host
Disable if you don't need to host UPnP devices.

WebClient

Windows Defender
Disable if you don't want to use it. Though, consider using third party anti-malware application if you disable it.

Windows Error Reporting Service
Disable if you don't use error reporting.

Windows Firewall
Disable if you don't use the Windows Firewall. Though, consider using third party firewall (hardware, software or router w/ firewall).

Windows Image Aquisition (WIA)
Disable if you don't use a scanner and/or digital cameras.

Windows Media Center Extender Service
Disable if you don't use Media Center extensions.

Windows Search
Disable if you don't want to use the advanced windows search feature with indexing (Normal search will still function, but is alot slower).

Windows Time
Disable if you don't want the clock to syncronize automatically. Waste of resources. Update clock manually.

WinHTTP WebProxy Auto-Discovery Service
Disable if you don't use applications which use the WPAD protocol (most applications don't). Manually enable if you need it.

Virtual Disk
Set as manual if you don't use Disk Management in the Computer Management console.
You can manually start this service at any time if you need to use Disk Management.