When Windows starts, many system services are started too. Some of them are unnecessary for most users or can be started manually as soon as they are really needed. By setting the startup type of those services to Manual instead of Disabled, you make sure that Windows can start them on demand.
The advantage: Windows can boot faster because not all services are launched immediately. You will also notice less RAM usage and fewer processes running.
- Open the Windows service management console by clicking Start, Run, services.msc.
- Double click a particular service and set its startup type to Manual. Then click OK.
Here is a list of services that you can set to manual startup without fear:
- Application Experience
- Diagnostic Policy Service
- IP Helper
- Offline Files
- Portable Device Enumerator Service
- Protected Storage
- Remote Registry
- Secondary Logon
- Tablet PC Input Service
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- Windows Error Reporting Service
If you know a service missing in this list that can be started manually too, leave a comment and I will add it to the list.
A place I regularly refer to when looking at what services are safe to disable or not is http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/service411.htm They also have references for Vista and XP.