[Harden XP by disabling services]

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Harden XP by disabling services
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Posted by: Warez Monster

I never thought that a lot of users would still run Windows XP with the default service configuration but reality proofed me wrong once again. The default settings want to make sure that the majority of Windows users can use Windows XP without having to think about services that they would have to enable. This is great for compatibility issues but bad for the overall security of your operating system.

It is possible to increase the security of your system by disabling certain services that you will never use. Why would you for instance use remote services if those are not needed on your system. A rule of thumb could be to disable as many services as possible as long as this does not mean that you can’t use functions or programs in Windows XP that you do need.

Hit Windows + R and type services.msc to view the services configuration window. Services do have one of three possible start up types - they are either started automatically, manually or disabled. The difference between automatic and manual is that services that are set to automatic are started when Windows starts. Manual services are only started when they are needed.

It would be good to backup your system before you make any changes to the services, make sure you have a backup at hand or at at least system restore. If you want to be on the safe side right-click a service before you disable it and select Properties. Take a look at the Dependencies before you disable it, some services (that you might need) rely on others to function.

Disabled services list: (for a one user system)

Alerter
Application Layer Gateway
Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Clipbook
Computer Browser
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Error Reporting Service
Event Log
Fast User Switching Compatibility
IMAPI CD-Burning Com Service
ET.TCP Port Sharing Service
Messenger
Network DDE
Network DDE DSDM
QoS RSVP
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Remote Procedure Call Locator
Remote Registry Service
Routing and Remote Access
SecondaryLogon
Security Accounts Manager
Server
Shell Hardware Detection
SSDP Discovery Service
TCP/IP Netbios Helper
Telnet
Terminal Services
Themes
Web Client
Windows Firewall / Internet Connection Sharing
Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration
WMI Performance Adapter
Manual Services:

Application Management
DNS Client
HID Input Service
HTTP SSL
Install Driver Table Manager
iPod Service
IPSEC Services
Logical Disk Manager
Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service
MS Software Shadow Copy Provider
NB Service
Net Logon
Network Connections
Network Location Awareness
Network Provisioning Service
Performance Logs and Alerts
Protected Storage
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Remote Access Connection Manager
Removable Storage
Telephony
Uninteruptable Power Supply
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Volume Shadow Copy
Windows Card Space
Windows Installer
Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions

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