Optimize Windows Services for Speed

Services are like programs that run in the background and are not visible to the user. A lot of services are required for Windows to work properly, but others are either less useful or entirely useless.

Open Windows Services List

To open the Windows services list:

• Click Start
• In the search bar type "services.msc"
• There should be 1 result, right click and "Run as Administrator"

When Services Start

In the new Window is a list of the services that run with Windows. Sort the list by clicking the "Startup Type" column. Now you can see which services run and when they run.

There are 4 ways services start themselves

• Automatic - Services that always run
• Automatic (Delayed Start) - Services that run a few minutes after startup
• Manual - Services that run only when called
• Disabled - Services that will not run at all

Disable Services

Windows comes with most features and services enabled to provide the user with a lot of functionality. Rarely will any user need or want them all, so we can disable the ones we do not need.

Disable services at your own risk

Here is a list of services you do not need to have a functioning computer. Below will be a list of services and the feature lost as well as the general speed increase. You can disable everything on this list for full speed if you choose.

• Themes
  • You lose pretty window borders, rounded corners, and colored start bar
  • Speed: 20% faster interaction with Windows
• Security Center
  • You lose annoying messages saying you have no antivirus
  • Speed: Slight increase, less popups
• Windows Defender
  • You lose some minor malware/virus protection
  • Speed: Slight increase, less popups
• Windows Search
  • You no longer have files show in the Start search bar
  • Speed: Slight increase, also reduces load on hard drive

• 10+ Windows 7 services you may not need