Windows runs hundreds of background services by default, and many of them continue to run even if you don’t use the features they’re tied to. Of course, some of these are important for keeping the OS stable. But then there are also others that simply waste memory, storage, bandwidth, and CPU resources without benefiting you in a meaningful way.
The good thing is Windows lets you disable the services that you don’t want. For that, simply open the Windows Services app, double-click the service, and set the Startup type to Disabled. Then, hit Apply and you’re done.
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Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Stop Microsoft from collecting data
It’s no secret that Microsoft loves collecting user data. That’s why one of the first things you should do after setting up your PC is review important privacy settings and turn off anything you don’t need. Besides that, you should also disable the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service.
This background service is what helps Windows gather crash reports, app usage patterns, hardware information, and various other system details. Of course, none of this benefits you directly. Also, the service consumes system resources as it runs in the background. More importantly, it’s completely safe to disable, and you’ll also cut off some of the data Windows sends back.
Services tied to apps you never use
Your PC is probably running software you forgot about
We often talk about the Windows system services that run in the background constantly. But besides those, there are often services that are run by specific apps. And if you never really use those apps, there’s no reason to let their services keep running all the time.
For instance, there are services related to Microsoft Edge that run every time your PC boots. That means even if you use a different browser, this service runs in the background to keep the browser updated and support its key features. The same goes for the OneDrive Updater Service, which is responsible for keeping the OneDrive app updated.
And it’s not just Microsoft apps. You should also check out services related to third-party apps that you no longer use. You won’t find all of them in the Services app, though. For that, search for system configuration and open it. Then head to the Services tab and tick Hide all Microsoft services so you don’t accidentally disable anything important. Then, go through the list to select the services tied to apps you don’t use and click Disable all.
Xbox Live Services
They’re not for non-gamers
Services like Xbox Live Auth Manager, Xbox Live Game Save, and Xbox Live Networking help manage sign-ins, online gaming features, and syncing game progress between devices. Of course, if you use Xbox Game Pass or use your PC for gaming, it’s best to leave them alone.
If you’re not a gamer, though, these Xbox services are just unnecessary overhead. They can still launch during startup, consume memory, and use bandwidth. The good news is disabling them won’t affect your PC usage in any way. The only thing you’ll lose is Xbox-related functionality, which most non-gamers don’t need anyway.
Delivery Optimization
Save bandwidth and storage
Delivery Optimization is a service that helps your Windows PC share update files between computers, kind of like a peer-to-peer system. In simpler terms, your PC doesn’t just download updates from Microsoft’s servers, but also from other PCs on the internet or your local network. Likewise, your PC may also upload update files to help other devices download updates faster.
But this process can consume bandwidth in the background, which can sometimes affect whatever you’re doing. More importantly, it also forces your PC to store updates for longer than usual, which can be a problem if your PC is already struggling with storage-related issues. Disabling Delivery Optimization will help you avoid both these problems. Don’t worry, your PC will continue to receive updates as usual.
SysMain
Your PC is better off without it
SysMain, also known as Superfetch, is one of the more controversial Windows services because its usefulness really depends on your hardware. The service is designed to analyze your usage habits and then use that data to preload your frequently used apps into memory so they load faster.
This sounds great, but SysMain isn’t that useful or even necessary on PCs running SSDs. On these systems, apps already open fast, so preloading rarely makes any difference. Also, SysMain itself sometimes causes high disk activity and memory usage, which is a problem.
So yes, even though it’s a service that Microsoft recommends, your PC is actually better off without it. You’ll also notice much smoother performance as Windows stops aggressively managing preload activity in the background.
The cleanup doesn’t stop here
Disabling these services will definitely make your PC feel a bit lighter. More importantly, it won’t break Windows or any of the features you rely on. And honestly, these services are just the start. There are plenty more services you can safely disable depending on how you use your PC.
For instance, if you don’t use a printer, Print Spooler serves little purpose. If your PC doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition, then Windows Biometric Service can go too. The same logic applies to other services, like Parental Controls, Smart Card, Windows Image Acquisition, and plenty of others.