How to disable unnecessary Windows services without breaking anything

If you've been using Windows for a while, you'll know that the system is packed with options, shortcuts, and utilities that arrive with each update. Among all these new features, there are also services that not all of us need, and which, if left active, can slow down performance. Disabling unnecessary Windows services can give you that performance boost you've been missing., as long as you know what you're playing and do it wisely.

Before we get started, it's worth highlighting something basic: Not everything that is dispensable for some is dispensable for othersThere are services designed for specific scenarios (domains, biometric hardware, encryption, touchpad, etc.) that, if they don't apply to your device, you can adjust or disable without any problems. Do this in a controlled manner and with a plan for reversing them, because changing for the sake of changing them is useless.

First things first: create a restore point

The essential preliminary step before disabling unnecessary Windows services is create a restore point In case something doesn't go as expected. This way, you can roll back the system in seconds if you detect unusual behavior.

To create it, Open Windows Search and type "Create restore point". Go to the Control Panel, select your system drive (usually C:), and click "Create" to create a new backup point. If you experience problems later, you can restore everything as it was.

How to open and manage services in Windows

The classic way to get to the full list is very direct: Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press EnterYou can also open Computer Management and, in the left pane, expand Services and Applications to access Services. There you'll see the name, description, status, and startup type of each service.

The "startup type" defines when and how each service is started. These are the available modes and what they mean:

• Automatic: boots with the system.
• Automatic (delayed start): waits for Windows to finish loading and then starts.
• Manual: Activated when an application needs it.
• Manual (trigger start): It only starts if there are sufficient resources and not too many services running.
• Disabled: cannot be started while in this state.

To change it, double-click on the service, choose the startup type you want from the drop-down menu and apply the changes. My advice is to go one by one and test: There's no rush, the important thing is that your team remains stable and more agile.

Services that you can disable or put on manual (depending on your usage)

On home computers, it's possible to disable unnecessary Windows services, either because they're unnecessary or because there's no need to have them running automatically. I leave you a guide with conservative recommendations to minimize risks:

• Downloaded Map Manager: If you don't use the built-in Maps app, it doesn't offer anything. Recommendation: Manual.
• FaxBy 2025, almost no one will use fax from their PC. Recommendation: Disabled.
• WAP Push Message Routing Service (dmwappushservice): linked to telemetry and data transmission. Recommendation: Disabled.
• Handwriting pad and touch keyboard service: Useful only on devices with a touchscreen/pen. Recommendation: Disabled if this is not your case.
• Diagnostic follow-up service: another telemetry service. Recommendation: Disabled.
• Program Compatibility Assistant ServiceIf you're not using older software, you don't need it to be always on. Recommendation: Manual.
• Windows biometric service: To log in with a fingerprint/face (Windows Hello). If your computer doesn't have this hardware, Recommendation: Disabled.
• BitLocker Encryption Service: Only if you use BitLocker. Recommendation: Manual if you don't have it active.
• Certificate Propagation: oriented to authentication environments. In your home, Recommendation: Disabled.
• net Logon: secure channel for domain controllers. Not required on a home PC. Recommendation: Disabled.
• Natural authentication: Combines data for lock/unlock. No biometrics. Recommendation: Disabled.
• Print Spooler: Only essential if you print from that PC. Recommendation: Manual.
• Windows Update: Detects and downloads updates. It is not recommended to disable it. Because it affects your security. I would only consider temporarily pausing it in very specific cases (very slow connections and mechanical hard drives), and always reactivate it as soon as possible.

Remember These recommendations depend on your hardware and actual usage.If something on the list sounds essential to your daily routine, leave it as it is and prioritize other settings. It's not worth disabling unnecessary Windows services if it's going to cause new problems.

Five dispensable services on many PCs and how to disable them

In addition to the list above, you can disable unnecessary Windows services that most users don't use. That is, you can get rid of them without losing anything. This is how they are deactivated step by step in Windows:

1) Print Spooler

If you don't print from your PC (or use the printer from your mobile phone), the spooler is a background process that consumes resources without giving you any benefit.See how to fix CPU spikes when printing). Turning it off when you don't need it is safe. and reversible.

• press Windows + R.
• Write services.msc and press Enter.
• Search Print Spooler and double click.
• Under "Startup type", choose Disabled.
• Click on Apply.
• Under "Service Status", press Stop.
• Accept and close the window.

When you need to print again, put it back to Manual or Automatic and start it, without further complications.

2) Fax Service

At this point, fax is a residual feature in domestic environments. If you don't use it, turn it off. and ready.

• Hold down Windows + R.
• Write services.msc and press Enter.
• Scroll to Fax and double click.
• Change "Startup type" to Disabled.
• Click on Apply.
• Under "Service Status", click Stop.
• Confirm with Accept.

If you need it in the future, set it to Manual and start it on time. That simple

3) Touch keyboard and handwriting panel

The touch keyboard creates an on-screen keyboard, and the writing pad allows you to use a stylus. On devices without a touch screen or stylus, leaving it active is absurd. because it steals small resources.

• In the search bar, type Easy-access keyboard.
• Sign in Easy Access Keyboard Settings.
• Turn off the low switch «Use the device without a physical keyboard».
• Now search "handwritten entry" in the search bar.
• Opens Setting up the handwriting input panel.
• Uncheck «Write on the handwriting pad with your fingertip».

If you prefer to do it from "Services", locate Handwriting pad and touch keyboard service and change it to Disabled so it won't boot.

4) Bluetooth

Many users connect speakers, headphones, or lights via Bluetooth from their mobile phone, not from their PC. If you don't pair anything on the computer, turn it off. and you will save a little on consumption.

• Click on the Home and open Configuration.
• Sign in Devices.
• In the section Bluetooth and other devices, slide the Bluetooth switch to Disabled.

When you want to pair something from the PC, reactivate it in seconds.

5) Remote Desktop

Allows another user to control your PC remotely. It's useful for support, but It implies an attack surface that is not worth it if you don't use it.

• Write Remote configuration in the search.
• Sign in Remote Desktop Configuration.
• Change the switch to Off.

If you ever need remote support, activate it only for the essential time and turn it off again when you're done.

Watch out for this: Windows Installer and msconfig

If you have unchecked the box "Load system services" in the System Configuration utility (msconfig) and you try to install something, you may get an error: the service Windows Installer does not start in that mode.

To start it manually in that scenario, follow these quick steps:

1. Open the Search, writes Team management And enter.
2. In the left panel, expand Services and applications and select Services.
3. On the list, right click on Windows Installer and choose Start.

When you finish the installation, returns msconfig to its normal state so as not to break dependencies on other services.

Is it worth disabling unnecessary Windows services to gain performance?

The honest answer is: It depends on your hardwareOn modern computers with SSDs and sufficient RAM, the improvements from disabling unnecessary Windows services are usually small, because Windows 10 and 11 manage services well, and many are left waiting until needed.

If, on the other hand, you suffer slow starts, CPU spikes or pauses in multitaskingReviewing your services can be a good idea. Setting them to Manual or disabling what you don't really use frees up small loads that, when combined, are noticeable.

Microsoft has done a lot of work in the latest versions to make the system to be faster and more stable without having to touch too much. On older netbooks, pruning services was almost mandatory; today, an SSD and a little cleaning are usually enough.

Safety and maintenance: the essentials to avoid making a mess

Before we finish, here are some important things to keep in mind before disabling unnecessary Windows services:

• Don't confuse performance with unprotecting your equipment: do not disable Windows Update Except in very specific cases, and even if you do, resume it as soon as possible. Updates patch bugs and vulnerabilities in addition to improving stability.
• If you notice a sudden drop in performance, considers malware as a possible cause. Make sure you install the latest functionality and security improvements: go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and press Search for updates.
• Complement with hygiene tasks: end background processes that you are not using and delete temporary and residual files. Windows itself has tools like "Space Cleanup" and "Storage" to help you clean up without additional installations.
• Finally, if you play on PC, you'll want to keep your components and related apps; The Xbox experience on Windows improves with updates, and a clean and optimized system always performs better in your games.