Windows 7: Disable System Services

This section provides a tutorial example on how to review all services that have configured to run on a Windows 7 system in the background and uninstall any unwanted services.

The next thing you should do is to review all system services and disable any unwanted services.

1. Go to "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Administrative Tools".

2. Double click on "Services". You will see a list of all system services that have been configured to run on your computer in the background.

3. Click on the "Status" column to show "Started" services first. If you see any service name that you are not familiar with, then it is a possible spyware, adware or some service that you never need it. Search Internet to confirm that service is not related Windows system or any hardware functions. If confirmed, you should consider to disable that service.

For example, on my Windows 7 system, I see "Adobe Acrobat Update Service" currently running. Searching Internet shows that "Adobe Acrobat Update Service" keeps your Adobe Acrobat update to date automatically. I don't think I need this service to run automatically all the time. I can check Adobe Acrobat updates by myself. So I will disable it.

4. Double click on "Adobe Acrobat Update Service". You will the service property screen.

5. Select "Disabled" in the "Startup type" dropdown list.

6. Click "Apply" to apply the change.

7. Continue to review all system services.

8. Restart the computer. All disabled services will not be executed in the background anymore.

The picture below shows you the list of system services on a Windows 7 system:

Windows 7 Disable System Services
Windows 7 Disable System Services

Table of Contents

 About This Windows Security Book

 Windows 8: System Security Review

 Windows 8: System Security Protection

 Windows 8 System Recovery

 Windows 8 Defender for Real-Time Protection

Windows 7: System Security Review

 Windows 7: System Version-Information

 Windows 7: Create Restore Point

 Windows 7: Uninstall Unwanted Programs

Windows 7: Disable System Services

 Windows 7: Disable Scheduled Tasks

 Windows 7: Remove Startup Programs

 Windows 7: Review Running Processes

 Windows 7: Event Log Viewer

 Windows 7: Disk Folders and Files

 Windows 7: Review Personal Downloads Folders

 Windows 7: System Security Protection

 Windows 7 System Recovery

 Windows 7 Forefront Client Security

 Norton Power Eraser - Anti-Virus Scan Tool

 McAfee Virus and Malware Protection Tools

 Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

 Keeping Firefox Secure

 Keeping IE (Internet Explorer) Secure

 Malware (Adware, Spyware, Trojan, Worm, and Virus)

 HijackThis - Browser Hijacker Diagnosis Tool

 IE Add-on Program Listing and Removal

 "Conduit Search" - Malware Detection and Removal

 "Tube Dimmer", "Scorpion Saver" or "Adpeak" Malware

 Malware Manual Removal Experience

 Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

 PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan Infection Removal

 MS08-001 Vulnerability on Windows Systems

 Antivirus System PRO

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB