Slim Down your 1720 from 60+ procs to mid 40's

As the title says I was able to slim down my "Boatware removed" default vista install (with dell drivers and a few of their apps) from over 60 processes running at login to mid to low 40's running at login. I did it all without removing or uninstalling apps but by setting several services to manual that are not requisite all the time and many will start when needed as well as commenting out several startup apps.

It seems that every application I install anymore comes with its own bloatware... speedlauncher, file system watcher (indexer) etc.. etc.. blah blah blah.

I am an IT pro who installs and configures OS's in daily and so I really really really hate the garbage that is installed with every app anymore. Nothing but bloat to use up memory/CPU and slow down my system. I don't care if adobe reader launches in 2 seconds rather than 3.5. I don't need roxio to try to index my media and monitor my hard drive. If I want to burn a CD I will just open the darn thing myself!! I don't need or want to use readyboost as I have enough memory thanks. etc.. etc.. etc..

Here is a list of start up apps I killed without really affecting much of anything at all. Being an IT person I prefer to use Regedit rather than the MS config tools but the choice is yours.

In the registry browse to:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

I will list what I "commented out" below. The way to do that is to simply put a semicolon at the front of the values for the list below:

Adobe Reader Speed Launcher - speeds up adobe reader launch.

Apoint (5 processes right there) will need to kill processes first though or it wont stick

Broadcom Wireless Manager - nothing discernable happens when its killed you don't get the wifi graph in the tray when your not connected to an AP.

IAAnotif
ISUSPM Startup
ISUSScheduler Both the ISUS have to do with auto updating certain apps.

iTunesHelper - If you want this then don't comment it out. Itunes will work fine without it and start what it needs to when you open it.

NVHOTKEY - kills the Nvidia Hotkey Polling.
NVMediaCenter
NcSvc
OEM02MON.exe
PCMService - For Media Direct but it works just fine without it.

QuickTime Task - Quicktime auto updater
RoxWatchTray - Roxio Tray Icon
SunJavaUpdateSched - Java Auto updater

Windows Defender (optional if you like keep it. My AV disables it)

As you will note many of the above are auto updaters for apps. I like to update my own software, thanks. I hate discovering something doesnt work anymore only to realize it is due to the fact that auto updates occurred and changed my app for me and broke it! Also note I left the NVCPLDaemon alone. That is because I have set some color tweaks etc... that require that after rebooting for them to take effect. If I resume from standby/hibernate they don't come back but turning all the nvidia crap back on doesnt fix that anyway.

The following are services that you can access from the service control panel. Right click on computer on the right side of the start menu and choose manage. Near the bottom is "Services and Applications" Click on that then choose Services.

Below is a list of services I set to manual with a brief description. If you think you need it don't touch it. If you think something broke after start turning them back to Auto.

Apple Mobile Device: (itunes) Usually starts anyway when itunes opens if you set to manual.

Bonjour Service: Enables Hardware/Software to automatically configure itself on the network.

Dell Wirless WLAN Tray Service: Duh more tray icons... Yeah!

Intel Matrix Storage Event Monitor: (not a critical component)

Ipod Service: DUH, again runs if you open itunes

ReadyBoost: Turn off if you don't plan to use a USB drive to augment systme memory. It also stops the annoying memory stick scan that happens when you plug one in.

Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 9: Drive Monitoring App, I bet its like indexer.

RoxMediaDB9: Roxio Media Watcher.

stlssvr: Part of the sound card tray app (after clean install it was manual but the dell out of box setup it was on.)

Tablet PC Input Service: Enables Tablet PC pen and ink functionality. Why is this on when my computer is not a tablet??????

Telephony: Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.


Terminal Services: Allows users to connect interactively to a remote computer. Remote Desktop and Terminal Server depend on this service. To prevent remote use of this computer, clear the checkboxes on the Remote tab of the System properties control panel item. I don't know about anyone else but i am remoting FROM my laptop not to it. If you want to use remote desktop to your laptop then leave it on.

Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar: (was manual but running for some reason) Act as a Registrar, issues network credential to Enrollee. If this service is disabled, the Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar will not function properly.

Windows Media Center Service Launcher: It was set to delayed Auto start I set to manual... Starts Media Center Scheduler. If your not using media center then DUH, turn it off.


I'm sure others will have opinions on doing this and or additions to the list. Your mileage may vary etc... etc.. insert witty disclaimer here. If your not comfortable playing with the registry or service manager then don't touch anything.

Again, if something you use breaks after doing all this then start undoing things to figure it out.