Switch off unnecessary background services in Windows 7
Unnecessary background services often slow down your computer. Under Windows 7 you can simply switch off the performance brakes. We show you how it works.
How to turn off background services on Windows 7
You can end active background services without additional software. The restart of these processes can also be prevented:
- Enter the "Services" command in the Windows search and start the program of the same name. Alternatively, you can find the tool in the Control Panel in the "Administration" area.
- Right click on the unwanted service and select "Properties".
- Select the entry "Disabled" for the start type and click on "Stop" to shutdown the service (see screenshot).
- Confirm the changes with "Ok".
You can safely disable these useless Windows services
The question now is which services are really unnecessary. We have listed the most superfluous processes for you. Only deactivate background services if you really do not need the function behind them.
- "Adaptive brightness": This service monitors the ambient brightness and thus adjusts your screen. This is completely superfluous with desktop PCs. Most notebooks also have their own sensor, so you can confidently deactivate the Windows function.
- "Detection of interactive services": Windows detects interactive user notifications. You can safely switch off this feature.
- "Fax": If you are not using a fax machine, you should shut down the process.
- "Configuration for remote desktops": This allows you to manage remote computers. If you are not using remote sharing, you can deactivate the service.
- "NAP agent": Activates Network Access Protection. That sounds important, but it is not.
- "Parental Controls": This activates the parental controls. If you do not use this feature, you can deactivate the service.
- "Peer Name Resolution Protocol", "Peer Network Group Assignment" and "Peer Network Identity Manager": These services regulate the functions of the home network groups. If you only have one computer at home, you can turn off the process.
- "PNRP Computer Name Publishing Service": Publishes computer names on the network - also a useless process.
- "Remote registration": This allows third-party PCs to access your Windows registry. For most users, this is not important.
- "Smart card removal policy", "Smart card" and "Certificate distribution": For example, locks the desktop as soon as the smart card is removed. You only need this in large IT companies.
- "SNMP trap": Windows receives messages from SNMP devices.
- "Tablet PC input service": a waste of resources for computers without a touchscreen.
- "Telephony": Support for desktop telephony. Practically useless in times of Skype and Co.
- "Control Panel Support for Solutions to Problems" and "Windows Error Reporting Service": This is used to send error reports to Microsoft. You can also safely switch off this service.
- You should also deactivate Windows Live Services if you are not using any of the Microsoft products.
- You can also click yourself through the list of services. In the left column you can see a detailed description of the individual processes. If you are unsure, you can also set the start type to "Manual". So Windows starts the services itself if necessary.