Windows operating systems (OSes) include many important system services. Different services have different default startup policies:
Automatic, when the service starts by default
Manual, when the user activates the service
Disabled by default, which means the user must enable the service before it can run
Microsoft chose these default settings carefully for each service to balance performance, functionality, and security for customers.
However, a more security-focused deployment may require changing these settings. For example, you might want to disable all programs that you don't need to run by default. The guidance in this article describes how to change these settings to make your deployment more secure.
The guidance in this article only applies to Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience, unless you're using it as a desktop replacement for end-users. As of Windows Server 2019, the configurations in this article are actually the default settings in the OS.
Each service is sorted into the following categories:
Should Disable, which means you should disable this service and not use it to make your system more secure.
OK to Disable, which means that while you don't have to disable this service for security reasons, you can still safely do so if you don't need it.
Do Not Disable, which means disabling this service impacts essential system functions or prevents specific roles or features from working as intended. You must always keep this service enabled.
(No guidance), for some services, the impact of disabling hasn’t been fully evaluated, so it’s recommended to leave them at their default configuration.
You can configure your Windows devices and servers to disable selected services by using Security Templates in Group Policies or by running PowerShell cmdlets. In some cases, this guide describes specific Group Policy settings you can change to disable services directly.
We recommend you disable the following services and their related scheduled tasks on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience:
Xbox Live Auth Manager
\Microsoft\XblGameSave\XblGameSaveTask
Xbox Live Game Save
\Microsoft\XblGameSave\XblGameSaveTaskLogon
Disabling non-default services
We don't recommend applying policies that disable services that aren't by default by Microsoft.
There are a few reasons why we recommend against disabling non-default services:
A service your admins installed after the initial setup is usually one that you need but wasn't in the original deployment. In these cases, you should tell your admins not to install the service in the first place as opposed to only disabling it after it's installed.
Blocking the Windows version of a service doesn't stop admins or non-admins from installing third-party equivalents that pose higher security risks.
Establishing a baseline that disables non-default Windows services, such as the World Wide Web Publishing Service (W2SVC) or Internet Information Services (IIS), may give auditors the impression that they're inherently insecure and should never be used.
If the service is never installed, disabling it adds unnecessary work to establishing the baseline and verification for your system.
How to read this guide
This article describes each service one by one, using the following variables.
The service name is the internal name of the service.
The description describes what each service is.
Installation describes which OS the service exists on.
If the service is always installed, it's available on both Windows Server 2016 Core and Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience.
If the service is only with Desktop Experience, it isn't available on Windows Server 2016 Core.
The startup type is how Windows determines when and how the service is started.
Recommendation lists Microsoft's recommended configuration for this service on a typical Windows Server 2016 deployment in an enterprise that's not using the server as an end-user desktop replacement.
Do not disable means you should never disable this service.
OK to disable means you can disable this service if you don't need it.
Already disabled means Windows disabled this service by default.
Should be disabled means you should always disable this service to increase security.
The comments show extra explanations and notes if you need more context.
Default local services
The following tables describes the default services found in Windows Server 2016. To edit the configuration of these services, select Start, enter services.msc, then select Services.
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 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 you stop this service, the AllJoyn clients that don't have their own bundled routers are 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 prevents 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 you stop this service, users can't 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 are unable to install, remove, or enumerate software deployed through Group Policy, and any services that explicitly depend on Application Management are unable 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 starts on demand and, if disabled, Store applications don't deploy 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, are 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 significantly reduces system security and causes 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.
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 starts on demand, and, if disabled, applications bought using Microsoft Store don't 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 that complies 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 closes and is unable to provide logon and logoff notifications. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 stops, most COM+-based components stop functioning properly. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 stops, this list doesn't update or maintain itself, and any services that explicitly depend on Computer Browser are unable 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. When the diagnostics and usage privacy option settings are enabled under Feedback and Diagnostics, this service also manages the event-driven collection and transmission of diagnostic and usage information that Microsoft uses to improve the experience and quality of the Windows Platform.
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 you stop this service, these management services are unable to function properly and any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 Data Collection and Publishing (DCP) 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 Component Object Model (COM) and Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) servers in response to object activation requests. If you stop or disable this service, programs using COM or DCOM are unable to function properly. We highly recommend that you let the DCOMLAUNCH service run.
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 results 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 you disable this service, devices may be configured with outdated software and 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 background 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 you stop this service, this computer doesn't receive dynamic IP addresses and DNS updates. If you disable this service, then any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 you stop this service, diagnostics stops functioning.
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 you stop this service, any diagnostics that depend on it stop functioning.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
No guidance
Comments
None
Diagnostic System Host
Name
Description
Service name
WdiSystemHost
Description
The Diagnostic Policy Service uses the Diagnostic System host to host diagnostics that need to run in a Local System context. If you stop this service, any diagnostics that depend on it stop functioning.
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. Stopping this service blocks these transactions from happening. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it can't start.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Automatic
Recommendation
No guidance
Comments
None
dmwappushsvc
Name
Description
Service name
dmwappushservice
Description
Wireless Application Protocol (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, Mobile Device Management (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 you stop this service, the dnscache continues to resolve DNS names. However, the results of DNS name queries aren't cached, so the computer's name isn't registered. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it don't 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 applications accessing downloaded maps. Disabling this service stops apps from accessing maps.
Installation
Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type
Automatic
Recommendation
OK to disable
Comments
Disabling this service breaks apps that rely on it; 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 prevents Background Applications from activating.
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 you stop or disable this service, applications can't 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 the application programming interfaces (APIs) that network access clients use during the authentication process, including wireless and Virtual Private Network (VPN) clients. If you disable this service, the computer can't access networks requiring EAP authentication.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
No guidance
Comments
None
Function Discovery Provider Host
Name
Description
Service name
fdPHost
Description
The Function Discovery Provider Host (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 disables network discovery for these protocols when using FD. When this service is unavailable, network services using FD and relying on these discovery protocols are 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 that other computers can discover them over the network. If you stop this service, network resources are no longer published and can't 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 can't 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 that administrators configured for the computer and users through the Group Policy component. If you disable the service, the settings aren't applied and applications and Group Policy can't manage the components. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not function as intended.
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. We recommend 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 Application Guard can also use it.
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
Lets you 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
Lets you manage virtual machines with PowerShell by using a 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 communications 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. The system uses these keying modules for authentication and key exchange in Internet Protocol security (IPsec). Stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service disables the 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, which compromises system security. We highly recommend that you leave 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 you stop this service, notifications of new interactive service dialogs stop functioning, which can also prevent access to interactive service dialogs. If you disable this service, both notifications of and access to new interactive service dialogs stop working.
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 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 both ends of Miracast projection. You can block ICS with the GPO setting called 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 you stop this service, the computer loses 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 netsh ipsec command-line tool. 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 isn't available when this service isn't running.
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 you don't need this service, we recommend that you stop this service. If you do need it, both MSDTC and KTM start this service automatically. If you disable this service, any MSDTC transaction interacting with a Kernel Resource Manager doesn't work and any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 you disable this service, the Network Map doesn't 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 causes 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 Event Tracing for Windows (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 you stop this service, users can't sign in 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 you stop this service, this computer can't sign in or access iSCSI targets. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it are unable to start.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
Do not disable
Comments
Our diagnostic data indicates the system uses this service on both client and server, so there's no benefit to disabling it.
Microsoft Passport
Name
Description
Service name
NgcSvc
Description
Provides process isolation for cryptographic keys the system uses to authenticate to a user's associated identity providers. If you disable this service, all uses and management of these keys become available, which includes the ability to sign in to the machine and single-sign on for apps and websites. This service starts and stops automatically. We recommend you don't reconfigure this service.
Installation
Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
OK to disable
Comments
Needed to sign in with PIN and Windows Hello, which Windows Server doesn't support.
Microsoft Passport Container
Name
Description
Service name
NgcCtnrSvc
Description
Manages local user identity keys used to authenticate user to identity providers and TPM virtual smart cards. If you disable this service, the system can't access local user identity keys and TPM virtual smart cards. We recommend you don't 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 you stop this service, the system becomes unable to manage software-based volume shadow copies. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 you stop or disable this service, the system can't manage Storage Spaces.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
Do not disable
Comments
Storage management APIs fail without this service. For example, the Get-WmiObject -class MSFT_Disk -Namespace Root\Microsoft\Windows\Storage command stops working.
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 you stop this service, the computer may not authenticate users and services and the domain controller can't register DNS records. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 the computer has connected to, 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 you stop this service, configuration information might be unavailable. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it are unable 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 you stop this service, the system may cancel any in-progress driver installations.
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, such as interface addition and deletions, to user mode clients. Stopping this service causes the system to lose network connectivity. If you disable this service, any other services that explicitly depend on this service become unable 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 you stop this service, only local users and 32-bit processes can query performance counters provided by 32-bit DLLs.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
No guidance
Comments
None
Performance Logs and 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 you stop this service, the system stops collecting performance information. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 Voice over Internet Protocol (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 can't 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, installing the DC role adds a thread to the spooler service that's responsible for performing print pruning, which removes the stale print queue objects from the Active Directory. If the spooler service isn't running on at least one DC in each site, then the AD can't remove old queues that no longer exist. Learn more at "Disabling Unnecessary Services? A Word to the Wise.
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 can't 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 you stop this service, PCA stops working.
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, runtime 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 VPN connections from this computer to the Internet or other remote networks. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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, or 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 you stop or disable this service, programs using COM or DCOM stop functioning properly. We highly recommend that you leave 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, the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator service manages the RPC name service database. In Windows Vista or later, this service doesn't provide any functionality and is only there to keep the OS compatible with certain applications.
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 you stop this service, only users on this computer can modify the registry. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 Remote Procedure Call (RPC) interfaces identifiers to transport endpoints. If you stop or disable this service, programs using RPC services stop functioning 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 you stop this service, this method of signing in becomes unavailable. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you disable this service, users can't 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 prevents the system from notifying other services when the SAM is ready, which can prevent those services from starting correctly. You shouldn't disable this service.
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 to expose data and adapt to system and user state. If you stop or disable this service, the display brightness doesn't adapt to lighting conditions. Stopping this service can also affect other system functionality and features.
Installation
Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
OK to disable
Comments
None
Sensor Service
Name
Description
Service name
SensorService
Description
Manages the functionality of different sensors, including Simple Device Orientation (SDO) and History. Loads the SDO sensor that reports device orientation changes. If you stop or disable this service, the SDO sensor isn't loaded, which prevents history collection and auto-rotation from working.
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 you stop this service, these functions become unavailable. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you stop this service, this computer becomes unable to read smart cards. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you disable this service, WinRT APIs can't 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 you stop this service, SNMP-based programs on this computer can't receive SNMP trap messages. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you disable the service, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a notification mode. We highly recommend that you don't 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 Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP), such as Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) devices. Also announces SSDP devices and services running on the local computer. If you stop this service, the computer can't discover SSDP-based devices. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 data placement 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 don't work properly when this service isn't 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 applications. If you stop or disable this service, then background work might not be triggered.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Automatic
Recommendation
Do not disable
Comments
Despite this service's description implying it's only for WinRT apps, it's also needed for task scheduler, broker infrastructure service, and other internal components.
Task Scheduler
Name
Description
Service name
Schedule
Description
Lets users configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. The service also hosts multiple Windows system-critical tasks. If you stop or disable this service, these tasks don't run at their scheduled times, and any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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) services and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, which lets users share files, print, and sign in to the network. If you stop this service, these functions might become unavailable. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 Local Area Network (LAN), on servers that are also running the service.
Installation
Only with Desktop Experience
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
Do not disable
Comments
Disabling breaks Routing and Remote Access Service (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 you disable this service
Time Broker
Name
Description
Service name
TimeBrokerSvc
Description
Coordinates execution of background work for WinRT applications. If you stop or disable this service, then background work might not be triggered.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
Do not disable
Comments
Despite this service's name implying it's 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, including Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), depends on this service.
UPnP Device Host
Name
Description
Service name
upnphost
Description
Allows this computer to host UPnP devices. If you stop this service, any hosted UPnP devices stop functioning and the computer can't add any more hosted devices.If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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. Any administrators who need to quantify client demand of server software for offline Client Access License (CAL) management can query these logs using PowerShell. If the service is disabled, the system stops logging client requests, preventing Powershell queries from retrieving them. Stopping the service doeesn't affect or delete historical data queries. The local system administrator must consult their Windows Server license terms to determine how many CALs the server software needs to be appropriately licensed.
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 you stop this service, 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 you stop or disable this service, users become unable to successfully sign in or sign out, apps might have problems getting to users' data, and components registered to receive profile event notifications don'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 you stop this service, shadow copies become unavailable for backup, causing the backup to fail. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable to start.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
No guidance
Comments
None
WalletService
Name
Description
Service name
WalletService
Description
Hosts objects used by wallet clients.
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 you stop this service, audio devices and effects stop functioning properly. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you stop this service, audio devices and effects stop functioning properly. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depond on it become unable 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 or 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. You can't stop this service.
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 process compromises EAS compliancy checks 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 the system to report errors when programs stop working or responding and allows delivery of existing solutions. Also allows log generation for diagnostic and repair services. If you stop this service, 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 data when a program crashes or stops responding, which both Microsoft and third-party Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) or Independent Network Vendors (INVs) can use to diagnose crash-inducing bugs and 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 the Windows Server Management protocol. Event sources include Windows Vista event logs and hardware and IPMI-enabled event sources. The service stores forwarded events in a local Event Log. If you stop or disable this service, the system can't create event subscriptions or accept forwarded events.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Manual
Recommendation
Do not disable
Comments
Collects ETW events, including security events, for manageability and 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. Windows Event Log can display events in both XML and plaintext format. Stopping this service may compromise system security and reliability.
Installation
Always installed
Startup type
Automatic
Recommendation
No guidance
Comments
None
Windows Firewall
Name
Description
Service name
MpsSvc
Description
Windows Firewall protects 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 automatically start this service if it's not already running. You can disable this service, but disabling it degrades 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. You can also disable the feature using Group Policy.
Windows Installer
Name
Description
Service name
msiserver
Description
Adds, modifies, and removes applications provided as a Windows Installer (*.msi, *.msp) package. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you stop this service, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you disable this service, 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 you stop this service, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you disable this service, 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 you stop this service, these connections will be unavailable. If you disable this service, any services that explicitly depend on it become unable 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 you stop this service, 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 you stop this service, 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 you stop this service, game save data will not upload to or download from Xbox Live.