Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Turn Off The Junk & Crank Up The Speed
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In one of my most popular Hubs of all time: How To Turn Off Vista's Useless Junk And Speed Up Your PC, I directed readers to a superb resource known as Black Viper, which outlines the plethora of completely useless (to most users) services which run in the background of all Vista operating systems and simply chew up CPU cycles and other computer resources, giving the user nothing but a sloooooooooooooooooow PC.
Even though Windows 7 is much much much faster than Vista in almost every measurable benchmark, that doesn't mean that Microsoft cut down the number of services that run in the background in the new operating system. As lightning fast as Windows 7 is, believe it or not it can be made even faster still by judiciously shutting off the numerous services which you have no use for whatsoever. The majority of these services in most cases are never used in everyday computer activities. They all do have a specific function and are applicable and useful for some people, but it's generally such a tiny minority that there really is no reason for the average computer user to put up with the slowdown.
Keep in mind that not all of these services are useless to all users, and you should familiarize yourself with the ones that you use on an ongoing basis. For example, if you are hooked up to a home network through Windows 7's great new HomeGroup feature, you would not be well advised to turn off HomeGroup Listener and HomeGroup Provider. Similarly, don't turn off BitLocker Drive Encryption Service and Bluetooth Support Service then come crying to me that you can't encrypt your USB key drive and that your Bluetooth devices no longer function!
The instructions on how to kill each of the services is available by clicking on each link which will take you to the fantastic Black Viper site.
Application Layer Gateway Service
BitLocker Drive Encryption Service
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Health Key and Certificate Management
Interactive Services Detection
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service
Network Access Protection Agent
Peer Networking Identity Manager
PNRP Machine Name Publication Service
Portable Device Enumerator Service
Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support
Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector
Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar
Windows Error Reporting Service
Windows Media Center Receiver Service
Windows Media Center Scheduler Service
Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
If you don't use it, get rid of it. It's not only good computer usage policy, but great Feng Shui as well!
Enjoy your Windows 7! It's truly marvelous! I love it!
Read The Entire Windows 7 Complete Guide!
Windows 7: The Complete Guide
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Getting Started
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Backup & Restore
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Security & Privacy
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Encryption
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Aero & Libraries
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - HomeGroup
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Tips & Tricks
Windows 7: The Complete Guide - Turn Off The Junk & Crank Up The Speed
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debris: IE 7 & 8 seem to be showing some strange new behaviors lately, such as not connecting to anything when you launch them. I'm researching that right now and hope to have a Hub on it soon.
Thank you so much for the exceptionally kind words. Much appreciated!
debris says:
5 months ago
I'm one of the few that didn't really mind the Vista operating system. I just turned off certain things that I didn't like. Explorer now crashes on me fairly frequently, which I have yet to figure out. I've considered switching over to Ubuntu anyways. I just wanted to come over here and compliment you on how fantastic it is that you write such comprehensive hubs. It really is appreciated, and a great change from some of the more obviously thrown together hubs.
Even now, I go back to each of my hubs and try to make them look nicer, fix any errors that my first couple of proof reads may have missed and make sure my links are working. Anyways, thanks again.
-Debris