Guidance on disabling system services on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience

Applies to: Windows Server 2016 only, when used in Desktop Experience installation option

The Windows operating system includes many system services that provide important functionality. Different services have different default startup policies: some are started by default (automatic), some when needed (manual), and some are disabled by default and must be explicitly enabled before they can run. These defaults were chosen carefully for each service to balance performance, functionality, and security for typical customers.

However, some enterprise customers may prefer a more security-focused balance for their Windows PCs and servers, one that reduces their attack surface to the absolute minimum, and may therefore wish to fully disable all services that are not needed in their specific environments. For those customers, Microsoft® is providing the accompanying guidance regarding which services can safely be disabled for this purpose.

The guidance is only for Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience (unless used as a desktop replacement for end users). Beginning with Windows Server 2019, these guidelines are configured by default. Each service on the system is categorized as follows:

• Should Disable: A security-focused enterprise will most likely prefer to disable this service and forego its functionality (see additional details below).
• OK to Disable: This service provides functionality that is useful to some but not all enterprises, and security-focused enterprises that don't use it can safely disable it.
• Do Not Disable: Disabling this service will impact essential functionality or prevent specific roles or features from functioning correctly. Therefore it should not be disabled.
• (No guidance): The impact of disabling these services has not been fully evaluated. Therefore, the default configuration of these services should not be changed.

Customers can configure their Windows PCs and servers to disable selected services using the Security Templates in their Group Policies or using PowerShell automation. In some cases, the guidance includes specific Group Policy settings that disable the service's functionality directly, as an alternative to disabling the service itself.

Microsoft recommends that customers disable the following services and their respective scheduled tasks on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience:

Services:

1. Xbox Live Auth Manager
2. Xbox Live Game Save

Scheduled tasks:

1. \Microsoft\XblGameSave\XblGameSaveTask
2. \Microsoft\XblGameSave\XblGameSaveTaskLogon

Disabling services not installed by default

Microsoft recommends against applying policies to disable services that are not installed by default.

• The service is usually needed if the feature is installed. Installing the service or the feature requires administrative rights. Disallow the feature installation, not the service startup.
• Blocking the Microsoft Windows service doesn't stop an admin (or non-admin in some cases) from installing a similar third-party equivalent, perhaps one with a higher security risk.
• A baseline or benchmark that disables a non-default Windows service (for example, W3SVC) will give some auditors the mistaken impression that the technology (for example, IIS) is inherently insecure and should never be used.
• If the feature (and service) is never installed, this just adds unnecessary bulk to the baseline and to verification work.

For all system services listed in this document, the two tables that follow offer an explanation of columns and Microsoft recommendations for enabling and disabling system services in Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience:

Explanation of columns

Name	Description
Service name	Key (internal) name of the service
Description	The service's description, from sc.exe qdescription.
Installation	Always installed: Service is installed on Windows Server 2016 Core and Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience. Only with Desktop Experience: Service is on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience, but is not installed on Server Core.
Startup type	Service Startup type on Windows Server 2016
Recommendation	Microsoft recommendation/advice about disabling this service on Windows Server 2016 in a typical, well-managed enterprise deployment and where the server is not being used as an end-user desktop replacement.
Comments	Additional explanation

Explanation of Microsoft recommendations

Name	Description
Do not disable	This service should not be disabled
OK to disable	This service can be disabled if the feature it supports is not being used.
Already disabled	This service is disabled by default; no need to enforce with policy
Should be disabled	This service should never be enabled on a well-managed enterprise system.

The following tables offer Microsoft guidance on disabling system services on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience:

ActiveX Installer (AxInstSV)

Name	Description
Service name	AxInstSV
Description	Provides User Account Control validation for the installation of ActiveX controls from the Internet and enables management of ActiveX control installation based on Group Policy settings. This service is started on demand and if disabled the installation of ActiveX controls will behave according to default browser settings.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	OK to disable if feature not needed

AllJoyn Router Service

Name	Description
Service name	AJRouter
Description	Routes AllJoyn messages for the local AllJoyn clients. If this service is stopped the AllJoyn clients that do not have their own bundled routers will be unable to run.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

App Readiness

Name	Description
Service name	AppReadiness
Description	Gets apps ready for use the first time a user signs in to this PC and when adding new apps.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	None

Application Identity

Name	Description
Service name	AppIDSvc
Description	Determines and verifies the identity of an application. Disabling this service will prevent AppLocker from being enforced.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Application Information

Name	Description
Service name	Appinfo
Description	Facilitates the running of interactive applications with additional administrative privileges. If this service is stopped, users will be unable to launch applications with the additional administrative privileges they may require to perform desired user tasks.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	Supports UAC same-desktop elevation

Application Layer Gateway Service

Name	Description
Service name	ALG
Description	Provides support for third-party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Application Management

Name	Description
Service name	AppMgmt
Description	Processes installation, removal, and enumeration requests for software deployed through Group Policy. If the service is disabled, users will be unable to install, remove, or enumerate software deployed through Group Policy. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC)

Name	Description
Service name	AppXSvc
Description	Provides infrastructure support for deploying Store applications. This service is started on demand and if disabled Store applications will not be deployed to the system, and may not function properly.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Auto Time Zone Updater

Name	Description
Service name	tzautoupdate
Description	Automatically sets the system time zone.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

Background Intelligent Transfer Service

Name	Description
Service name	BITS
Description	Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is disabled, then any applications that depend on BITS, such as Windows Update or MSN Explorer, will be unable to automatically download programs and other information.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Background Tasks Infrastructure Service

Name	Description
Service name	BrokerInfrastructure
Description	Windows infrastructure service that controls which background tasks can run on the system.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Base Filtering Engine

Name	Description
Service name	BFE
Description	The Base Filtering Engine (BFE) is a service that manages firewall and Internet Protocol security (IPsec) policies and implements user mode filtering. Stopping or disabling the BFE service will significantly reduce the security of the system. It will also result in unpredictable behavior in IPsec management and firewall applications.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Bluetooth Support Service

Name	Description
Service name	bthserv
Description	The Bluetooth service supports discovery and association of remote Bluetooth devices. Stopping or disabling this service may cause already installed Bluetooth devices to fail to operate properly and prevent new devices from being discovered or associated.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	OK to disable if not used. Another disabling mechanism: Disabling Bluetooth and Infrared Beaming

CDPUserSvc

Name	Description
Service name	CDPUserSvc
Description	This user service is used for Connected Devices Platform scenarios
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	User service template

Certificate Propagation

Name	Description
Service name	CertPropSvc
Description	Copies user certificates and root certificates from smart cards into the current user's certificate store, detects when a smart card is inserted into a smart card reader, and if needed, installs the smart card Plug and Play minidriver.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Client License Service (ClipSVC)

Name	Description
Service name	ClipSVC
Description	Provides infrastructure support for the Microsoft Store. This service is started on demand and if disabled applications bought using Microsoft Store will not behave correctly.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

CNG Key Isolation

Name	Description
Service name	KeyIso
Description	The CNG key isolation service is hosted in the LSA process. The service provides key process isolation to private keys and associated cryptographic operations as required by the Common Criteria. The service stores and uses long-lived keys in a secure process complying with Common Criteria requirements.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

COM+ Event System

Name	Description
Service name	EventSystem
Description	Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing Component Object Model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

COM+ System Application

Name	Description
Service name	COMSysApp
Description	Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components. If the service is stopped, most COM+-based components will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Computer Browser

Name	Description
Service name	Browser
Description	Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

Connected Devices Platform Service

Name	Description
Service name	CDPSvc
Description	This service is used for Connected Devices and Universal Glass scenarios
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Connected User Experiences and Telemetry

Name	Description
Service name	DiagTrack
Description	The Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service enables features that support in-application and connected user experiences. Additionally, this service manages the event-driven collection and transmission of diagnostic and usage information (used to improve the experience and quality of the Windows Platform) when the diagnostics and usage privacy option settings are enabled under Feedback and Diagnostics.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Contact Data

Name	Description
Service name	PimIndexMaintenanceSvc
Description	Indexes contact data for fast contact searching. If you stop or disable this service, contacts might be missing from your search results.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	User service template

CoreMessaging

Name	Description
Service name	CoreMessagingRegistrar
Description	Manages communication between system components.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Credential Manager

Name	Description
Service name	VaultSvc
Description	Provides secure storage and retrieval of credentials to users, applications and security service packages.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Cryptographic Services

Name	Description
Service name	CryptSvc
Description	Provides three management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files and allows new programs to be installed; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; and Automatic Root Certificate Update Service, which retrieves root certificates from Windows Update and enable scenarios such as SSL. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Data Sharing Service

Name	Description
Service name	DsSvc
Description	Provides data brokering between applications.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

DataCollectionPublishingService

Name	Description
Service name	DcpSvc
Description	The DCP (Data Collection and Publishing) service supports first-party apps to upload data to cloud.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

DCOM Server Process Launcher

Name	Description
Service name	DcomLaunch
Description	The DCOMLAUNCH service launches COM and DCOM servers in response to object activation requests. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM will not function properly. It is strongly recommended that you have the DCOMLAUNCH service running.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Device Association Service

Name	Description
Service name	DeviceAssociationService
Description	Enables pairing between the system and wired or wireless devices.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Device Install Service

Name	Description
Service name	DeviceInstall
Description	Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Device Management Enrollment Service

Name	Description
Service name	DmEnrollmentSvc
Description	Performs Device Enrollment Activities for Device Management
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Device Setup Manager

Name	Description
Service name	DsmSvc
Description	Enables the detection, download and installation of device-related software. If this service is disabled, devices may be configured with outdated software, and may not work correctly.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

DevQuery Background Discovery Broker

Name	Description
Service name	DevQueryBroker
Description	Enables apps to discover devices with a backgroud task
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

DHCP Client

Name	Description
Service name	Dhcp
Description	Registers and updates IP addresses and DNS records for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not receive dynamic IP addresses and DNS updates. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Diagnostic Policy Service

Name	Description
Service name	DPS
Description	The Diagnostic Policy Service enables problem detection, troubleshooting and resolution for Windows components. If this service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Diagnostic Service Host

Name	Description
Service name	WdiServiceHost
Description	The Diagnostic Service Host is used by the Diagnostic Policy Service to host diagnostics that need to run in a Local Service context. If this service is stopped, any diagnostics that depend on it will no longer function.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Diagnostic System Host

Name	Description
Service name	WdiSystemHost
Description	The Diagnostic System Host is used by the Diagnostic Policy Service to host diagnostics that need to run in a Local System context. If this service is stopped, any diagnostics that depend on it will no longer function.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Distributed Link Tracking Client

Name	Description
Service name	TrkWks
Description	Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Name	Description
Service name	MSDTC
Description	Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

dmwappushsvc

Name	Description
Service name	dmwappushservice
Description	WAP Push Message Routing Service
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Service required on client devices for Intune, MDM and similar management technologies, and for Unified Write Filter. Not needed for Server.

DNS Client

Name	Description
Service name	Dnscache
Description	The DNS Client service (dnscache) caches Domain Name System (DNS) names and registers the full computer name for this computer. If the service is stopped, DNS names will continue to be resolved. However, the results of DNS name queries will not be cached and the computer's name will not be registered. If the service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Downloaded Maps Manager

Name	Description
Service name	MapsBroker
Description	Windows service for application access to downloaded maps. This service is started on-demand by application accessing downloaded maps. Disabling this service will prevent apps from accessing maps.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Disabling breaks apps that rely on the service; OK to disable if apps not relying on it

Embedded Mode

Name	Description
Service name	embeddedmode
Description	The Embedded Mode service enables scenarios related to Background Applications. Disabling this service will prevent Background Applications from being activated.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Encrypting File System (EFS)

Name	Description
Service name	EFS
Description	Provides the core file encryption technology used to store encrypted files on NTFS file system volumes. If this service is stopped or disabled, applications will be unable to access encrypted files.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Enterprise App Management Service

Name	Description
Service name	EntAppSvc
Description	Enables enterprise application management.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Extensible Authentication Protocol

Name	Description
Service name	EapHost
Description	The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication in such scenarios as 802.1x wired and wireless, VPN, and Network Access Protection (NAP). EAP also provides application programming interfaces (APIs) that are used by network access clients, including wireless and VPN clients, during the authentication process. If you disable this service, this computer is prevented from accessing networks that require EAP authentication.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Function Discovery Provider Host

Name	Description
Service name	fdPHost
Description	The FDPHOST service hosts the Function Discovery (FD) network discovery providers. These FD providers supply network discovery services for the Simple Services Discovery Protocol (SSDP) and Web Services - Discovery (WS-D) protocol. Stopping or disabling the FDPHOST service will disable network discovery for these protocols when using FD. When this service is unavailable, network services using FD and relying on these discovery protocols will be unable to find network devices or resources.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Function Discovery Resource Publication

Name	Description
Service name	FDResPub
Description	Publishes this computer and resources attached to this computer so they can be discovered over the network. If this service is stopped, network resources will no longer be published and they will not be discovered by other computers on the network.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Geolocation Service

Name	Description
Service name	lfsvc
Description	This service monitors the current location of the system and manages geofences (a geographical location with associated events). If you turn off this service, applications will be unable to use or receive notifications for geolocation or geofences.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Disabling breaks apps that rely on the service; OK to disable if apps not relying on it

Group Policy Client

Name	Description
Service name	gpsvc
Description	The service is responsible for applying settings configured by administrators for the computer and users through the Group Policy component. If the service is disabled, the settings will not be applied and applications and components will not be manageable through Group Policy. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not be functional if the service is disabled.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Human Interface Device Service

Name	Description
Service name	hidserv
Description	Activates and maintains the use of hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. It is recommended that you keep this service running.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

HV Host Service

Name	Description
Service name	HvHost
Description	Provides an interface for the Hyper-V hypervisor to provide per-partition performance counters to the host operating system.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Performance enhancers for guest VMs. Not used today except for explicitly populated VMs, but will be used in Application Guard

Hyper-V Data Exchange Service

Name	Description
Service name	vmickvpexchange
Description	Provides a mechanism to exchange data between the virtual machine and the operating system running on the physical computer.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

Hyper-V Guest Service Interface

Name	Description
Service name	vmicguestinterface
Description	Provides an interface for the Hyper-V host to interact with specific services running inside the virtual machine.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

Hyper-V Guest Shutdown Service

Name	Description
Service name	vmicshutdown
Description	Provides a mechanism to shut down the operating system of this virtual machine from the management interfaces on the physical computer.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

Hyper-V Heartbeat Service

Name	Description
Service name	vmicheartbeat
Description	Monitors the state of this virtual machine by reporting a heartbeat at regular intervals. This service helps you identify running virtual machines that have stopped responding.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

Hyper-V PowerShell Direct Service

Name	Description
Service name	vmicvmsession
Description	Provides a mechanism to manage virtual machine with PowerShell via VM session without a virtual network.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

Hyper-V Remote Desktop Virtualization Service

Name	Description
Service name	vmicrdv
Description	Provides a platform for communication between the virtual machine and the operating system running on the physical computer.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

Hyper-V Time Synchronization Service

Name	Description
Service name	vmictimesync
Description	Synchronizes the system time of this virtual machine with the system time of the physical computer.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

Hyper-V Volume Shadow Copy Requestor

Name	Description
Service name	vmicvss
Description	Coordinates the communications that are required to use Volume Shadow Copy Service to back up applications and data on this virtual machine from the operating system on the physical computer.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	See HvHost

IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules

Name	Description
Service name	IKEEXT
Description	The IKEEXT service hosts the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) and Authenticated Internet Protocol (AuthIP) keying modules. These keying modules are used for authentication and key exchange in Internet Protocol security (IPsec). Stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service will disable IKE and AuthIP key exchange with peer computers. IPsec is typically configured to use IKE or AuthIP; therefore, stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service might result in an IPsec failure and might compromise the security of the system. It is strongly recommended that you have the IKEEXT service running.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Interactive Services Detection

Name	Description
Service name	UI0Detect
Description	Enables user notification of user input for interactive services, which enables access to dialogs created by interactive services when they appear. If this service is stopped, notifications of new interactive service dialogs will no longer function and there might not be access to interactive service dialogs. If this service is disabled, both notifications of and access to new interactive service dialogs will no longer function.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Name	Description
Service name	SharedAccess
Description	Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Required for clients used as WiFi hotspots, and also on both ends of Miracast projection. ICS can be blocked with GPO setting, "Prohibit use of Internet Connection Sharing on your DNS domain network"

IP Helper

Name	Description
Service name	iphlpsvc
Description	Provides tunnel connectivity using IPv6 transition technologies (6to4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, and Teredo), and IP-HTTPS. If this service is stopped, the computer will not have the enhanced connectivity benefits that these technologies offer.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

IPsec Policy Agent

Name	Description
Service name	PolicyAgent
Description	Internet Protocol security (IPsec) supports network-level peer authentication, data origin authentication, data integrity, data confidentiality (encryption), and replay protection. This service enforces IPsec policies created through the IP Security Policies snap-in or the command-line tool "netsh ipsec". If you stop this service, you may experience network connectivity issues if your policy requires that connections use IPsec. Also, remote management of Windows Firewall is not available when this service is stopped.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

KDC Proxy Server service (KPS)

Name	Description
Service name	KPSSVC
Description	KDC Proxy Server service runs on edge servers to proxy Kerberos protocol messages to domain controllers on the corporate network.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Name	Description
Service name	KtmRm
Description	Coordinates transactions between the Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) and the Kernel Transaction Manager (KTM). If it is not needed, it is recommended that this service remain stopped. If it is needed, both MSDTC and KTM will start this service automatically. If this service is disabled, any MSDTC transaction interacting with a Kernel Resource Manager will fail and any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper

Name	Description
Service name	lltdsvc
Description	Creates a Network Map, consisting of PC and device topology (connectivity) information, and metadata describing each PC and device. If this service is disabled, the Network Map will not function properly.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	OK to disable if no dependencies on Network Map

Local Session Manager

Name	Description
Service name	LSM
Description	Core Windows Service that manages local user sessions. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Microsoft (R) Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector

Name	Description
Service name	diagnosticshub.standardcollector.service
Description	Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service. When running, this service collects real time ETW events and processes them.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant

Name	Description
Service name	wlidsvc
Description	Enables user sign-in through Microsoft account identity services. If this service is stopped, users will not be able to log on to the computer with their Microsoft account.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Microsoft Accounts are N/A on Windows Server

Microsoft App-V Client

Name	Description
Service name	AppVClient
Description	Manages App-V users and virtual applications
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service

Name	Description
Service name	MSiSCSI
Description	Manages Internet SCSI (iSCSI) sessions from this computer to remote iSCSI target devices. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to login or access iSCSI targets. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Our diagnostic data indicates this is used on client as well as server. No benefit to disabling this.

Microsoft Passport

Name	Description
Service name	NgcSvc
Description	Provides process isolation for cryptographic keys used to authenticate to a user's associated identity providers. If this service is disabled, all uses and management of these keys will not be available, which includes machine logon and single-sign on for apps and websites. This service starts and stops automatically. It is recommended that you do not reconfigure this service.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Needed for PIN/Hello logons, which aren't supported on Server

Microsoft Passport Container

Name	Description
Service name	NgcCtnrSvc
Description	Manages local user identity keys used to authenticate user to identity providers as well as TPM virtual smart cards. If this service is disabled, local user identity keys and TPM virtual smart cards will not be accessible. It is recommended that you do not reconfigure this service.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider

Name	Description
Service name	swprv
Description	Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP

Name	Description
Service name	smphost
Description	Host service for the Microsoft Storage Spaces management provider. If this service is stopped or disabled, Storage Spaces cannot be managed.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Storage management APIs fail without this service. Example: "Get-WmiObject -class MSFT_Disk -Namespace Root\Microsoft\Windows\Storage".

Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service

Name	Description
Service name	NetTcpPortSharing
Description	Provides ability to share TCP ports over the net.tcp protocol.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

Netlogon

Name	Description
Service name	Netlogon
Description	Maintains a secure channel between this computer and the domain controller for authenticating users and services. If this service is stopped, the computer may not authenticate users and services and the domain controller cannot register DNS records. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Network Connection Broker

Name	Description
Service name	NcbService
Description	Brokers connections that allow Microsoft Store Apps to receive notifications from the internet.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Network Connections

Name	Description
Service name	Netman
Description	Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Network Connectivity Assistant

Name	Description
Service name	NcaSvc
Description	Provides DirectAccess status notification for UI components
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Network List Service

Name	Description
Service name	netprofm
Description	Identifies the networks to which the computer has connected, collects and stores properties for these networks, and notifies applications when these properties change.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Network Location Awareness

Name	Description
Service name	NlaSvc
Description	Collects and stores configuration information for the network and notifies programs when this information is modified. If this service is stopped, configuration information might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Network Setup Service

Name	Description
Service name	NetSetupSvc
Description	The Network Setup Service manages the installation of network drivers and permits the configuration of low-level network settings. If this service is stopped, any driver installations that are in-progress may be cancelled.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Network Store Interface Service

Name	Description
Service name	nsi
Description	This service delivers network notifications (e.g. interface addition/deleting etc) to user mode clients. Stopping this service will cause loss of network connectivity. If this service is disabled, any other services that explicitly depend on this service will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Offline Files

Name	Description
Service name	CscService
Description	The Offline Files service performs maintenance activities on the Offline Files cache, responds to user logon and logoff events, implements the internals of the public API, and dispatches interesting events to those interested in Offline Files activities and changes in cache state.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

Optimize drives

Name	Description
Service name	defragsvc
Description	Helps the computer run more efficiently by optimizing files on storage drives.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Performance Counter DLL Host

Name	Description
Service name	PerfHost
Description	Enables remote users and 64-bit processes to query performance counters provided by 32-bit DLLs. If this service is stopped, only local users and 32-bit processes will be able to query performance counters provided by 32-bit DLLs.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Performance Logs & Alerts

Name	Description
Service name	pla
Description	Performance Logs and Alerts Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If this service is stopped, performance information will not be collected. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Phone Service

Name	Description
Service name	PhoneSvc
Description	Manages the telephony state on the device
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Used by modern VoIP apps

Plug and Play

Name	Description
Service name	PlugPlay
Description	Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Portable Device Enumerator Service

Name	Description
Service name	WPDBusEnum
Description	Enforces group policy for removable mass-storage devices. Enables applications such as Windows Media Player and Image Import Wizard to transfer and synchronize content using removable mass-storage devices.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Power

Name	Description
Service name	Power
Description	Manages power policy and power policy notification delivery.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Print Spooler

Name	Description
Service name	Spooler
Description	This service spools print jobs and handles interaction with the printer. If you turn off this service, you won't be able to print or see your printers.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	OK to disable if not a print server or a DC
Comments	On a domain controller, the installation of the DC role adds a thread to the spooler service that is responsible for performing print pruning – removing the stale print queue objects from the Active Directory. If the spooler service is not running on at least one DC in each site, then the AD has no means to remove old queues that no longer exist. "Disabling Unnecessary Services? A Word to the Wise" - Microsoft Tech Community - Ask The Performance Team Blog.

Printer Extensions and Notifications

Name	Description
Service name	PrintNotify
Description	This service opens custom printer dialog boxes and handles notifications from a remote print server or a printer. If you turn off this service, you won't be able to see printer extensions or notifications.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable if not a print server
Comments	None

Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support

Name	Description
Service name	wercplsupport
Description	This service provides support for viewing, sending and deletion of system-level problem reports for the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Program Compatibility Assistant Service

Name	Description
Service name	PcaSvc
Description	This service provides support for the Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA). PCA monitors programs installed and run by the user and detects known compatibility problems. If this service is stopped, PCA will not function properly.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Quality Windows Audio Video Experience

Name	Description
Service name	QWAVE
Description	Quality Windows Audio Video Experience (qWave) is a networking platform for Audio Video (AV) streaming applications on IP home networks. qWave enhances AV streaming performance and reliability by ensuring network quality-of-service (QoS) for AV applications. It provides mechanisms for admission control, run time monitoring and enforcement, application feedback, and traffic prioritization.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Client-side QoS service

Radio Management Service

Name	Description
Service name	RmSvc
Description	Radio Management and Airplane Mode Service
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager

Name	Description
Service name	RasAuto
Description	Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Remote Access Connection Manager

Name	Description
Service name	RasMan
Description	Manages dial-up and virtual private network (VPN) connections from this computer to the Internet or other remote networks. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Remote Desktop Configuration

Name	Description
Service name	SessionEnv
Description	Remote Desktop Configuration service (RDCS) is responsible for all Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop related configuration and session maintenance activities that require SYSTEM context. These include per-session temporary folders, RD themes, and RD certificates.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	None

Remote Desktop Services

Name	Description
Service name	TermService
Description	Allows users to connect interactively to a remote computer. Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Session Host Server depend on this service. To prevent remote use of this computer, clear the checkboxes on the Remote tab of the System properties control panel item.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	None

Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector

Name	Description
Service name	UmRdpService
Description	Allows the redirection of Printers/Drives/Ports for RDP connections
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Supports redirections on the server side of the connection.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Name	Description
Service name	RpcSs
Description	The RPCSS service is the Service Control Manager for COM and DCOM servers. It performs object activations requests, object exporter resolutions and distributed garbage collection for COM and DCOM servers. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM will not function properly. It is strongly recommended that you have the RPCSS service running.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator

Name	Description
Service name	RpcLocator
Description	In Windows 2003 and earlier versions of Windows, the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator service manages the RPC name service database. In Windows Vista and later versions of Windows, this service does not provide any functionality and is present for application compatibility.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Remote Registry

Name	Description
Service name	RemoteRegistry
Description	Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	None

Resultant Set of Policy Provider

Name	Description
Service name	RSoPProv
Description	Provides a network service that processes requests to simulate application of Group Policy settings for a target user or computer in various situations and computes the Resultant Set of Policy settings.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Routing and Remote Access

Name	Description
Service name	RemoteAccess
Description	Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	Already disabled

RPC Endpoint Mapper

Name	Description
Service name	RpcEptMapper
Description	Resolves RPC interfaces identifiers to transport endpoints. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using Remote Procedure Call (RPC) services will not function properly.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Secondary Logon

Name	Description
Service name	seclogon
Description	Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service

Name	Description
Service name	SstpSvc
Description	Provides support for the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) to connect to remote computers using VPN. If this service is disabled, users will not be able to use SSTP to access remote servers.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Disabling breaks RRAS

Security Accounts Manager

Name	Description
Service name	SamSs
Description	The startup of this service signals other services that the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) is ready to accept requests. Disabling this service will prevent other services in the system from being notified when the SAM is ready, which may in turn cause those services to fail to start correctly. This service should not be disabled.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	None

Sensor Data Service

Name	Description
Service name	SensorDataService
Description	Delivers data from a variety of sensors
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Sensor Monitoring Service

Name	Description
Service name	SensrSvc
Description	Monitors various sensors in order to expose data and adapt to system and user state. If this service is stopped or disabled, the display brightness will not adapt to lighting conditions. Stopping this service may affect other system functionality and features as well.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Sensor Service

Name	Description
Service name	SensorService
Description	A service for sensors that manages the functionality of different sensors. Manages Simple Device Orientation (SDO) and History for sensors. Loads the SDO sensor that reports device orientation changes. If this service is stopped or disabled, the SDO sensor will not be loaded and so auto-rotation will not occur. History collection from Sensors will also be stopped.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Server

Name	Description
Service name	LanmanServer
Description	Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Needed for remote management, IPC$, SMB file sharing

Shell Hardware Detection

Name	Description
Service name	ShellHWDetection
Description	Provides notifications for AutoPlay hardware events.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Smart Card

Name	Description
Service name	SCardSvr
Description	Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to read smart cards. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

Smart Card Device Enumeration Service

Name	Description
Service name	ScDeviceEnum
Description	Creates software device nodes for all smart card readers accessible to a given session. If this service is disabled, WinRT APIs will not be able to enumerate smart card readers.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Needed almost exclusively for WinRT apps

Smart Card Removal Policy

Name	Description
Service name	SCPolicySvc
Description	Allows the system to be configured to lock the user desktop upon smart card removal.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

SNMP Trap

Name	Description
Service name	SNMPTRAP
Description	Receives trap messages generated by local or remote Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agents and forwards the messages to SNMP management programs running on this computer. If this service is stopped, SNMP-based programs on this computer will not receive SNMP trap messages. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Software Protection

Name	Description
Service name	sppsvc
Description	Enables the download, installation and enforcement of digital licenses for Windows and Windows applications. If the service is disabled, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a notification mode. It is strongly recommended that you not disable the Software Protection service.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Special Administration Console Helper

Name	Description
Service name	sacsvr
Description	Allows administrators to remotely access a command prompt using Emergency Management Services.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Spot Verifier

Name	Description
Service name	svsvc
Description	Verifies potential file system corruptions.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

SSDP Discovery

Name	Description
Service name	SSDPSRV
Description	Discovers networked devices and services that use the SSDP discovery protocol, such as UPnP devices. Also announces SSDP devices and services running on the local computer. If this service is stopped, SSDP-based devices will not be discovered. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

State Repository Service

Name	Description
Service name	StateRepository
Description	Provides required infrastructure support for the application model.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Still Image Acquisition Events

Name	Description
Service name	WiaRpc
Description	Launches applications associated with still image acquisition events.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Storage Service

Name	Description
Service name	StorSvc
Description	Provides enabling services for storage settings and external storage expansion
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Storage Tiers Management

Name	Description
Service name	TieringEngineService
Description	Optimizes the placement of data in storage tiers on all tiered storage spaces in the system.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Superfetch

Name	Description
Service name	SysMain
Description	Maintains and improves system performance over time.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Sync Host

Name	Description
Service name	OneSyncSvc
Description	This service synchronizes mail, contacts, calendar and various other user data. Mail and other applications dependent on this functionality will not work properly when this service is not running.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	User service template

System Event Notification Service

Name	Description
Service name	SENS
Description	Monitors system events and notifies subscribers to COM+ Event System of these events.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

System Events Broker

Name	Description
Service name	SystemEventsBroker
Description	Coordinates execution of background work for WinRT application. If this service is stopped or disabled, then background work might not be triggered.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	In spite of the fact that its description implies it is only for WinRT apps, it's needed for task scheduler, broker infrastructure service, and other internal components.

Task Scheduler

Name	Description
Service name	Schedule
Description	Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. The service also hosts multiple Windows system-critical tasks. If this service is stopped or disabled, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

Name	Description
Service name	lmhosts
Description	Provides support for the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, therefore enabling users to share files, print, and log on to the network. If this service is stopped, these functions might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Telephony

Name	Description
Service name	TapiSrv
Description	Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Disabling breaks RRAS

Themes

Name	Description
Service name	Themes
Description	Provides user experience theme management.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Can't set accessibility themes when this service is disabled

Tile Data model server

Name	Description
Service name	tiledatamodelsvc
Description	Tile Server for tile updates.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Start menu breaks if this service is disabled

Time Broker

Name	Description
Service name	TimeBrokerSvc
Description	Coordinates execution of background work for WinRT application. If this service is stopped or disabled, then background work might not be triggered.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	In spite of the fact that its description implies it is only for WinRT apps, it's needed for task scheduler, broker infrastructure service, and other internal components.

Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service

Name	Description
Service name	TabletInputService
Description	Enables Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel pen and ink functionality
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Update Orchestrator Service for Windows Update

Name	Description
Service name	UsoSvc
Description	Manages Windows Updates. If stopped, your devices will not be able to download and install latest updates.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Service description was missing in v1607; Windows Update (incl. WSUS) depends on this service.

UPnP Device Host

Name	Description
Service name	upnphost
Description	Allows UPnP devices to be hosted on this computer. If this service is stopped, any hosted UPnP devices will stop functioning and no additional hosted devices can be added. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

User Access Logging Service

Name	Description
Service name	UALSVC
Description	This service logs unique client access requests, in the form of IP addresses and user names, of installed products and roles on the local server. This information can be queried, via Powershell, by administrators needing to quantify client demand of server software for offline Client Access License (CAL) management. If the service is disabled, client requests will not be logged and will not be retrievable via Powershell queries. Stopping the service will not affect query of historical data (see supporting documentation for steps to delete historical data). The local system administrator must consult his, or her, Windows Server license terms to determine the number of CALs that are required for the server software to be appropriately licensed; use of the UAL service and data does not alter this obligation.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

User Data Access

Name	Description
Service name	UserDataSvc
Description	Provides apps access to structured user data, including contact info, calendars, messages, and other content. If you stop or disable this service, apps that use this data might not work correctly.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	User service template

User Data Storage

Name	Description
Service name	UnistoreSvc
Description	Handles storage of structured user data, including contact info, calendars, messages, and other content. If you stop or disable this service, apps that use this data might not work correctly.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	User service template

User Experience Virtualization Service

Name	Description
Service name	UevAgentService
Description	Provides support for application and OS settings roaming
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

User Manager

Name	Description
Service name	UserManager
Description	User Manager provides the runtime components required for multi-user interaction. If this service is stopped, some applications may not operate correctly.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

User Profile Service

Name	Description
Service name	ProfSvc
Description	This service is responsible for loading and unloading user profiles. If this service is stopped or disabled, users will no longer be able to successfully sign in or sign out, apps might have problems getting to users' data, and components registered to receive profile event notifications won't receive them.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Virtual Disk

Name	Description
Service name	vds
Description	Provides management services for disks, volumes, file systems, and storage arrays.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Volume Shadow Copy

Name	Description
Service name	VSS
Description	Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

WalletService

Name	Description
Service name	WalletService
Description	Hosts objects used by clients of the wallet
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Windows Audio

Name	Description
Service name	Audiosrv
Description	Manages audio for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

Name	Description
Service name	AudioEndpointBuilder
Description	Manages audio devices for the Windows Audio service. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Windows Biometric Service

Name	Description
Service name	WbioSrvc
Description	The Windows biometric service gives client applications the ability to capture, compare, manipulate, and store biometric data without gaining direct access to any biometric hardware or samples. The service is hosted in a privileged SVCHOST process.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Camera Frame Server

Name	Description
Service name	FrameServer
Description	Enables multiple clients to access video frames from camera devices.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Windows Connection Manager

Name	Description
Service name	Wcmsvc
Description	Makes automatic connect/disconnect decisions based on the network connectivity options currently available to the PC and enables management of network connectivity based on Group Policy settings.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Defender Network Inspection Service

Name	Description
Service name	WdNisSvc
Description	Helps guard against intrusion attempts targeting known and newly discovered vulnerabilities in network protocols
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Defender Service

Name	Description
Service name	WinDefend
Description	Helps protect users from malware and other potentially unwanted software
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework

Name	Description
Service name	wudfsvc
Description	Creates and manages user-mode driver processes. This service cannot be stopped.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Encryption Provider Host Service

Name	Description
Service name	WEPHOSTSVC
Description	Windows Encryption Provider Host Service brokers encryption related functionalities from third-party Encryption Providers to processes that need to evaluate and apply EAS policies. Stopping this will compromise EAS compliancy checks that have been established by the connected Mail Accounts
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Error Reporting Service

Name	Description
Service name	WerSvc
Description	Allows errors to be reported when programs stop working or responding and allows existing solutions to be delivered. Also allows logs to be generated for diagnostic and repair services. If this service is stopped, error reporting might not work correctly and results of diagnostic services and repairs might not be displayed.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Collects and sends crash/hang data used by both MS and third party ISVs/IHVs. The data is used to diagnose crash-inducing bugs, which may include security bugs. Also needed for Corporate Error Reporting

Windows Event Collector

Name	Description
Service name	Wecsvc
Description	This service manages persistent subscriptions to events from remote sources that support WS-Management protocol. This includes Windows Vista event logs, hardware and IPMI-enabled event sources. The service stores forwarded events in a local Event Log. If this service is stopped or disabled event subscriptions cannot be created and forwarded events cannot be accepted.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Collects ETW events (including security events) for manageability, diagnostics. Lots of features and third-party tools rely on it, including security audit tools

Windows Event Log

Name	Description
Service name	EventLog
Description	This service manages events and event logs. It supports logging events, querying events, subscribing to events, archiving event logs, and managing event metadata. It can display events in both XML and plain text format. Stopping this service may compromise security and reliability of the system.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Firewall

Name	Description
Service name	MpsSvc
Description	Windows Firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Font Cache Service

Name	Description
Service name	FontCache
Description	Optimizes performance of applications by caching commonly used font data. Applications will start this service if it is not already running. It can be disabled, though doing so will degrade application performance.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)

Name	Description
Service name	stisvc
Description	Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Windows Insider Service

Name	Description
Service name	wisvc
Description	wisvc
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Server doesn't support flighting, so it's a no-op on Server. Feature can be disabled via GP as well.

Windows Installer

Name	Description
Service name	msiserver
Description	Adds, modifies, and removes applications provided as a Windows Installer (*.msi, *.msp) package. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows License Manager Service

Name	Description
Service name	LicenseManager
Description	Provides infrastructure support for the Microsoft Store. This service is started on demand and if disabled then content acquired through the Microsoft Store will not function properly.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Management Instrumentation

Name	Description
Service name	Winmgmt
Description	Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Mobile Hotspot Service

Name	Description
Service name	icssvc
Description	Provides the ability to share a cellular data connection with another device.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	None

Windows Modules Installer

Name	Description
Service name	TrustedInstaller
Description	Enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components. If this service is disabled, install or uninstall of Windows updates might fail for this computer.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Push Notifications System Service

Name	Description
Service name	WpnService
Description	This service runs in session 0 and hosts the notification platform and connection provider which handles the connection between the device and WNS server.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	Needed for live tiles and other features

Windows Push Notifications User Service

Name	Description
Service name	WpnUserService
Description	This service hosts Windows notification platform which provides support for local and push notifications. Supported notifications are tile, toast and raw.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	OK to disable
Comments	User service template

Windows Remote Management (WS-Management)

Name	Description
Service name	WinRM
Description	Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service implements the WS-Management protocol for remote management. WS-Management is a standard web services protocol used for remote software and hardware management. The WinRM service listens on the network for WS-Management requests and processes them. The WinRM Service needs to be configured with a listener using winrm.cmd command line tool or through Group Policy in order for it to listen over the network. The WinRM service provides access to WMI data and enables event collection. Event collection and subscription to events require that the service is running. WinRM messages use HTTP and HTTPS as transports. The WinRM service does not depend on IIS but is preconfigured to share a port with IIS on the same machine. The WinRM service reserves the /wsman URL prefix. To prevent conflicts with IIS, administrators should ensure that any websites hosted on IIS do not use the /wsman URL prefix.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Needed for remote management

Windows Search

Name	Description
Service name	WSearch
Description	Provides content indexing, property caching, and search results for files, e-mail, and other content.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Disabled
Recommendation	Already disabled
Comments	None

Windows Time

Name	Description
Service name	W32Time
Description	Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Windows Update

Name	Description
Service name	wuauserv
Description	Enables the detection, download, and installation of updates for Windows and other programs. If this service is disabled, users of this computer will not be able to use Windows Update or its automatic updating feature, and programs will not be able to use the Windows Update Agent (WUA) API.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service

Name	Description
Service name	WinHttpAutoProxySvc
Description	WinHTTP implements the client HTTP stack and provides developers with a Win32 API and COM Automation component for sending HTTP requests and receiving responses. In addition, WinHTTP provides support for auto-discovering a proxy configuration via its implementation of the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) protocol.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Do not disable
Comments	Anything that uses the network stack can have a functional dependency on this service. Many organizations rely on this to configure their internal networks' HTTP proxy routing. Without it, internally-originating HTTP connections to the Internet will all fail.

Wired AutoConfig

Name	Description
Service name	dot3svc
Description	The Wired AutoConfig (DOT3SVC) service is responsible for performing IEEE 802.1X authentication on Ethernet interfaces. If your current wired network deployment enforces 802.1X authentication, the DOT3SVC service should be configured to run for establishing Layer 2 connectivity and/or providing access to network resources. Wired networks that do not enforce 802.1X authentication are unaffected by the DOT3SVC service.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

WMI Performance Adapter

Name	Description
Service name	wmiApSrv
Description	Provides performance library information from Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) providers to clients on the network. This service only runs when Performance Data Helper is activated.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Workstation

Name	Description
Service name	LanmanWorkstation
Description	Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers using the SMB protocol. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Installation	Always installed
Startup type	Automatic
Recommendation	No guidance
Comments	None

Xbox Live Auth Manager

Name	Description
Service name	XblAuthManager
Description	Provides authentication and authorization services for interacting with Xbox Live. If this service is stopped, some applications may not operate correctly.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Should be disabled
Comments	None

Xbox Live Game Save

Name	Description
Service name	XblGameSave
Description	This service syncs save data for Xbox Live save enabled games. If this service is stopped, game save data will not upload to or download from Xbox Live.
Installation	Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type	Manual
Recommendation	Should be disabled
Comments	This service syncs save data for Xbox Live save enabled games. If this service is stopped, game save data will not upload to or download from Xbox Live.