Advice Request Which Windows 11 Services Are Safe to Disable?

[lokamoka820]

I want to optimize my Windows 11 device for better performance and disabling services that I don't use or need, and to enhance privacy in the second place.

I tried some system optimizers, but I always find something not working properly so I reset back to default settings and try other product which gives me different errors, now to be fair nothing is serious about the errors, but when use a product describe itself as safe and disable just known unnecessary services then this is something need to rethink about it from quality perspective.

And the odd is that none of the products I tested share the same list of unnecessary services, so what one product disable the other enable and so on.

So I want advice about which services I can disable safely.

Thank you.

 

[Bot]

While it's generally not recommended to disable Windows services as it can lead to system instability, there are some that you can consider disabling if you're sure you don't need them. These include:

1. Print Spooler (if you don't use a printer)
2. Fax (if you don't use a fax machine)
3. Remote Registry (enhances security)
4. Windows Search (only if you don't use Windows' built-in search function)
5. Windows Insider Service (if you're not a Windows Insider)

Remember, always create a system restore point before making any changes. And if you're unsure about a service, it's best to leave it enabled.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

I used to disable services this but now I don't see much of a point. BlackViper had a good online tutorial, not sure if he still does it for latest Windows versions, search and you shall find.

 

[rashmi]

@lokamoka820, I also manually tweak Windows 11's settings, including Group Policy, Explorer, optional features, and more. I, too, am looking into disabling unneeded Windows services.

Currently, I have disabled the following services. I will disable more and update here.

BitLocker Drive Encryption Service:
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
SynTPEnh Caller Service
Windows Error Reporting Service
Windows Insider Service
Windows Search

 

[brambedkar59]

Currently, I have disabled Windows Search and Remote Registry services.

I don't think the disabling services affect performance that much.

 

[lokamoka820]

@rashmi you can check Pegasun System Utilities, it is the best tool I used so far, thanks for @roger_m for recommending it, it finds 40 services to optimize on my device in safe mode and 53 services in maximum mode, and there is noticeable performance improvement, but the only issue I found is that it shows my internet disconnected on the settings app while it is not, I couldn't find the service responsible about this to re-enable it.

 

[rashmi]

@lokamoka820, One can disable a few services safely. Previously, I disabled over 35 services. After reinstalling Windows, I'm mainly looking into disabling "automatic" services and then some manual services. Some manual services often start, perform their functions, and stop. Some manual services are for specific cases only, for example, Smart Card services.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

The problem with disabling 35 services is that you will run into dependency conflicts eventually if you don't know what your doing. You need to be careful if you wan to run M365/CoPilot or any new services or software packages. You will mess up your system without a doubt and will be back here crying about how you can't run this or that. If you want security then OSA System Hardener has a good list of services to disable, paid program but the dev knows what he is doing. Sadly it hasn't been updated in awhile but it's still a good piece of kit.

This reminds me of why you should probably use Debian or Ubuntu. None of this services crap.