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Windows 11 Services To Disable: How to Safely do it

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Updated onOctober 18, 2024

updated onOctober 18, 2024

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Windows 11 has a wide variety of services, most of which you probably won’t know exist. Services are mini-programs designed to manage very specific functions. Unlike more regular software, they run in the background and don’t require any kind of user input to operate.

Some services are more essential than others. Most third-party software services are pretty safe to disable as they only affect the software they’re for. However, there are some Windows services you shouldn’t touch. You can disable services in Windows 11 with the methods below.

Why should I disable services in Windows 11?

Services consume system resources, such as RAM (Random Access Memory), much the same as regular desktop software. Most services consume very little in the way of system resources. However, lots of services combined can stack up and waste larger amounts of RAM.

So, disabling lots ofsuperfluous servicescan free up system resources for the desktop software you need to utilize. There might be quite a few active services on your PC that you don’t need. You can see what services are running, and their RAM usage, on the Processes tab in Task Manager.

Which Windows 11 services should I disable?

There are probably a lot of services enabled for Windows 11 features you never utilize. The safest services to disable are those needed for some of the most obscure features few users need. These are some of the safest ones you can disable in Windows 11:

Aside from those, you can also safely disable third-party software services. Check the descriptions of such services to determine whether you need them enabled or not. Or you can uninstall third-party software you don’t utilize much to remove their services.

Disabling services will ensure they never automatically start. You can always re-enable disabled services if you ever need to utilize Windows features they’re needed for. Just make sure you check the services’ descriptions carefully before disabling anything.

How do I stop unnecessary services in Windows 11?

1. Use the Services window

2. Use MSConfig

3. Disable services via Windows Terminal

If the services are running without any actual usage, modifying their status willsurely make Windows 11 run faster, even though you shouldn’t expect a very big difference.

Another useful tip is that you can alsodisable widgets from the new OS, thus contributing even more to the speed of processing.

Even though not recommended, to improve the speed of your system, you can alsochoose to disable automatic updates, but it is worth noting that missing some important updates might expose your system to risks.

Other optimizations also includeremoving Teams from your system, which can also put a strain on the startup times, whiledisabling the Snap layout featurewill also improve the performance a bit.

There are Windows and third-party software services. The Windows ones are there to ensure the smooth functioning of the platform. Those services are needed for things like updating Windows, printing, file sharing, scanning, etc.

Third-party services are used specifically for software packages installed on your PC. For example, the Google Updater Service is one that automatically updates Chrome. With that service disabled, you’ll need to manually update the browser.

You can disable superfluous services with any of the above methods. By doing so, you canenhance PC performanceby freeing up resources for the software you utilize regularly. So, don’t let unneeded services waste system resources.

Using the Services app built into your system is one of the most user-friendly ways of achieving these results. This is closely followed by the method that uses MSConfig, while the most complicated will be to use the Windows Terminal, and write specific commands.

If you’re not sure what services you need to close, or what they do, the safest method is by far the first one, as the Services app is designed to show you information about the service you’re about to close, and thus help you make an informed decision.

You could also simply use the list we mentioned in this guide and find the specific services in the list. This method will also ensure that you can always come back to the desired service and activate it if you’ll need it in the future.

Before you leave, don’t miss our guide onAlljoyn Router serviceto learn more about how it works.

Don’t hesitate to share your experience with us regarding the Windows 11 services to disable topic by using the comment section found below this guide.

Windows 11 Services To Disable: How to Safely do it#

Why should I disable services in Windows 11?#

Which Windows 11 services should I disable?#

How do I stop unnecessary services in Windows 11?#

1. Use the Services window#

2. Use MSConfig#

3. Disable services via Windows Terminal#