
If you're using a home desktop PC or a Windows 10 laptop and that too far, not attached to a local network, almost all of the background services mentioned below can be safely disabled.
1. AllJoyn Router Service
Display Name: AllJoyn Router Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p
Default Startup: Manual (Trigger Start)
Dependencies: None
In the future, if you ever install smart devices in your home, enable this service again to manage them easily while sitting in front of your computer screen.
2. Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Display Name: Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k utcsvc -p
Default Startup: Automatic
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
This data is sent back to Microsoft to assess and analyze how the users are using the Windows system on a daily basis. This assessment is used to improve the Windows platform.
3. Distributed Link Tracking Client
Display Name: Distributed Link Tracking Client
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p
Default Startup: Automatic
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
Generally, a normal user never needs this service and one should disable it—all together. If you're using links to a lot of NTFS files on a local network, you may want to use this service.
4. Device Management Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Push message Routing Service
Display Name: Device Management Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Push message Routing Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
Even Microsoft's official documentation places no objection on disabling this service. This is one of the first services I disable on a new Windows 10 PC to strengthen the privacy of the user.
5. Downloaded Maps Manager
Display Name: Downloaded Maps Manager
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService -p
Default Startup: Automatic (Delayed Start)
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
If you're never going to use such kind of apps, disable this service. It's completely safe to turn-off and doesn't affect your system performance in any way.
6. Fax Service
Display Name: Fax
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: Print Spooler, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Telephony
In fact, in this modern era, even offices are relying less on Fax services. If you ever want to use this service, make sure both the print spooler as well as the telephony services are active as well.
7. Offline Files
Display Name: Offline Files
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p
Default Startup: Manual (Trigger Start)
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
Most home computers are standalone systems and therefore do not need this service at all. In case, you ever decide to use this service, make sure the offline cached files are stored in encrypted form.
8. Parental Controls
Display Name: Parental Controls
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: None
But nowadays, you can exercise and control content filtering both at the DNS and browser level. In fact, one can also use specialized software for the same. So, I'll recommend you to disable this service.
9. Portable Device Enumerator Service
Display Name: Portable Device Enumerator Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
Default Startup: Manual (Trigger Start)
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
Therefore, I'll strongly advise you to disable this unnecessary service. Remember, it won't affect your general USB stick usage unless you create custom group policies for the same.
10. Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Display Name: Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
In most cases, you'll never need this service so it is advisable to disable this service. I've myself have not disabled it because I use a few legacy applications on my PC.
11. Remote Registry
Display Name: Remote Registry
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k localService -p
Default Startup: Automatic
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
For your computer's safety and security, I'll recommend disabling this service. Your local registry editing operations are not affected by this service—in any way.
12. Retail Demo Service
Display Name: Retail Demo Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k rdxgroup
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: None
It's quite obvious that the customer himself will never need to run his PC in the demo mode. Therefore, go ahead and disable this service with confidence as it's not going to affect your computer's functioning.
13. Secondary Logon
Display Name: Secondary Logon
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: None
sudo
command.For most home users, this service is of no use. Because it has no dependencies, you can enable or disable it in the future—without any issues. I keep it disabled and advice the same to you too.
14. TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Display Name: TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p
Default Startup: Manual (Trigger Start)
Dependencies: Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock
Nowadays, the NetBIOS protocol is not used on modern computers. Therefore, one can disable it. Especially, standalone Windows PC should disable it as this service is of no use on such systems.
15. Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
Display Name: Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p
Default Startup: Manual (Trigger Start)
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
If your Windows 10 PC does not have a touch-enabled screen, this service is useless for you. In such a case, you can disable it—right away. On my PC too, I've kept it disabled.
16. Windows Error Reporting Service
Display Name: Windows Error Reporting Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k WerSvcGroup
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: None
This data is sent to both Microsoft and to the relevant third-party entities. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you disable this data collection and sharing service.
17. Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Display Name: Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
If you keep this service in its default state, it starts automatically upon detection of a device which relies on it for proper functioning. If you're planning to buy such a device, do not disable this service.
18. Windows Insider Service
Display Name: Windows Insider Service
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: DCOM Server Process Launcher, RPC Endpoint Mapper
A typical home PC user prefer to run the current and stable version of Windows. Therefore, this service is definitely an unnecessary one and should be disabled. I keep it disabled too.
19. Xbox Live Auth Manager
Display Name: Xbox Live Auth Manager
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Xbox Game Monitoring, Xbox Live Game Save
If you're in the same boat, disable this service. If you're playing standalone game applications on your Windows PC, then too, you can disable this service—without any worry.
20. Xbox Live Game Save
Display Name: Xbox Live Game Save
Command: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
Default Startup: Manual
Dependencies: User Manager, Xbox Live Auth Manager
This service is dependent on the service mentioned right before this one. If you're going to use this service, make sure the other one is enabled as well. I keep both these services—disabled.