Windows 8 Services

This is a preliminary list of services in Windows 8 Developer preview and is subject to change in the final release.

Name	Caption	Description
AeLookupSvc	Application Experience	Processes application compatibility cache requests for applications as they are launched
ALG	Application Layer Gateway Service	Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing
AllUserInstallAgent	Windows All User Install Agent	Install AppX Packages for all authorized users
AppIDSvc	Application Identity	Determines and verifies the identity of an application. Disabling this service will prevent AppLocker from being enforced.
Appinfo	Application Information	Facilitates the running of interactive applications with additional administrative privileges. If this service is stopped, users will be unable to launch applications with the additional administrative privileges they may require to perform desired user tasks.
AppMgmt	Application Management	Processes installation, removal, and enumeration requests for software deployed through Group Policy. If the service is disabled, users will be unable to install, remove, or enumerate software deployed through Group Policy. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
AudioEndpointBuilder	Windows Audio Endpoint Builder	Manages audio devices for the Windows Audio service. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start
Audiosrv	Windows Audio	Manages audio for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start
AxInstSV	ActiveX Installer (AxInstSV)	Provides User Account Control validation for the installation of ActiveX controls from the Internet and enables management of ActiveX control installation based on Group Policy settings. This service is started on demand and if disabled the installation of ActiveX controls will behave according to default browser settings.
BDESVC	BitLocker Drive Encryption Service	BDESVC hosts the BitLocker Drive Encryption service. BitLocker Drive Encryption provides secure startup for the operating system, as well as full volume encryption for OS, fixed or removable volumes. This service allows BitLocker to prompt users for various actions related to their volumes when mounted, and unlocks volumes automatically without user interaction. Additionally, it stores recovery information to Active Directory, if available, and, if necessary, ensures the most recent recovery certificates are used. Stopping or disabling the service would prevent users from leveraging this functionality.
BFE	Base Filtering Engine	The Base Filtering Engine (BFE) is a service that manages firewall and Internet Protocol security (IPsec) policies and implements user mode filtering. Stopping or disabling the BFE service will significantly reduce the security of the system. It will also result in unpredictable behavior in IPsec management and firewall applications.
BITS	Background Intelligent Transfer Service	Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is disabled, then any applications that depend on BITS, such as Windows Update or MSN Explorer, will be unable to automatically download programs and other information.
BrokerInfrastructure	Broker Infrastructure	Coordinates execution of background work for WinRT applications.
Browser	Computer Browser	Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
bthserv	Bluetooth Support Service	The Bluetooth service supports discovery and association of remote Bluetooth devices. Stopping or disabling this service may cause already installed Bluetooth devices to fail to operate properly and prevent new devices from being discovered or associated.
CertPropSvc	Certificate Propagation	Copies user certificates and root certificates from smart cards into the current user's certificate store, detects when a smart card is inserted into a smart card reader, and, if needed, installs the smart card Plug and Play minidriver.
COMSysApp	COM+ System Application	Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components. If the service is stopped, most COM+-based components will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
CryptSvc	Cryptographic Services	Provides three management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files and allows new programs to be installed; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; and Automatic Root Certificate Update Service, which retrieves root certificates from Windows Update and enable scenarios such as SSL. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
CscService	Offline Files	The Offline Files service performs maintenance activities on the Offline Files cache, responds to user logon and logoff events, implements the internals of the public API, and dispatches interesting events to those interested in Offline Files activities and changes in cache state.
DcomLaunch	DCOM Server Process Launcher	The DCOMLAUNCH service launches COM and DCOM servers in response to object activation requests. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM will not function properly. It is strongly recommended that you have the DCOMLAUNCH service running.
defragsvc	Drive Optimizer	Provides Drive Optimization Capabilities.
DeviceAssociationService	Device Association Service	Enables pairing between the system and wired or wireless devices.
DeviceInstall	Device Install Service	Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.
Dhcp	DHCP Client	Registers and updates IP addresses and DNS records for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not receive dynamic IP addresses and DNS updates. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Dnscache	DNS Client	The DNS Client service (dnscache) caches Domain Name System (DNS) names and registers the full computer name for this computer. If the service is stopped, DNS names will continue to be resolved. However, the results of DNS name queries will not be cached and the computer's name will not be registered. If the service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
dot3svc	Wired AutoConfig	The Wired AutoConfig (DOT3SVC) service is responsible for performing IEEE 802.1X authentication on Ethernet interfaces. If your current wired network deployment enforces 802.1X authentication, the DOT3SVC service should be configured to run for establishing Layer 2 connectivity and/or providing access to network resources. Wired networks that do not enforce 802.1X authentication are unaffected by the DOT3SVC service.
DPS	Diagnostic Policy Service	The Diagnostic Policy Service enables problem detection, troubleshooting and resolution for Windows components. If this service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function.
DsmSvc	Device Setup Manager	Enables the detection, download and installation of device-related software. If this service is disabled, devices may be configured with outdated software, and may not work correctly.
Eaphost	Extensible Authentication Protocol	The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication in such scenarios as 802.1x wired and wireless, VPN, and Network Access Protection (NAP). EAP also provides application programming interfaces (APIs) that are used by network access clients, including wireless and VPN clients, during the authentication process. If you disable this service, this computer is prevented from accessing networks that require EAP authentication.
EFS	Encrypting File System (EFS)	Provides the core file encryption technology used to store encrypted files on NTFS file system volumes. If this service is stopped or disabled, applications will be unable to access encrypted files.
EventLog	Windows Event Log	This service manages events and event logs. It supports logging events, querying events, subscribing to events, archiving event logs, and managing event metadata. It can display events in both XML and plain text format. Stopping this service may compromise security and reliability of the system.
EventSystem	COM+ Event System	Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing Component Object Model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Fax	Fax	Enables you to send and receive faxes, utilizing fax resources available on this computer or on the network.
fdPHost	Function Discovery Provider Host	The FDPHOST service hosts the Function Discovery (FD) network discovery providers. These FD providers supply network discovery services for the Simple Services Discovery Protocol (SSDP) and Web Services – Discovery (WS-D) protocol. Stopping or disabling the FDPHOST service will disable network discovery for these protocols when using FD. When this service is unavailable, network services using FD and relying on these discovery protocols will be unable to find network devices or resources.
FDResPub	Function Discovery Resource Publication	Publishes this computer and resources attached to this computer so they can be discovered over the network. If this service is stopped, network resources will no longer be published and they will not be discovered by other computers on the network.
fhsvc	File History Service	Protects user files from accidental loss by copying them to a backup location
FontCache	Windows Font Cache Service	Optimizes performance of applications by caching commonly used font data. Applications will start this service if it is not already running. It can be disabled, though doing so will degrade application performance.
gpsvc	Group Policy Client	The service is responsible for applying settings configured by administrators for the computer and users through the Group Policy component. If the service is stopped or disabled, the settings will not be applied and applications and components will not be manageable through Group Policy. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not be functional if the service is stopped or disabled.
hidserv	Human Interface Device Access	Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
hkmsvc	Health Key and Certificate Management	Provides X.509 certificate and key management services for the Network Access Protection Agent (NAPAgent). Enforcement technologies that use X.509 certificates may not function properly without this service
HomeGroupProvider	HomeGroup Provider	Performs networking tasks associated with configuration and maintenance of homegroups. If this service is stopped or disabled, your computer will be unable to detect other homegroups and your homegroup might not work properly. It is recommended that you keep this service running.
IBMPMSVC	ThinkPad PM Service
IKEEXT	IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules	The IKEEXT service hosts the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) and Authenticated Internet Protocol (AuthIP) keying modules. These keying modules are used for authentication and key exchange in Internet Protocol security (IPsec). Stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service will disable IKE and AuthIP key exchange with peer computers. IPsec is typically configured to use IKE or AuthIP; therefore, stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service might result in an IPsec failure and might compromise the security of the system. It is strongly recommended that you have the IKEEXT service running.
iphlpsvc	IP Helper	Provides tunnel connectivity using IPv6 transition technologies (6to4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, and Teredo), and IP-HTTPS. If this service is stopped, the computer will not have the enhanced connectivity benefits that these technologies offer.
KeyIso	CNG Key Isolation	The CNG key isolation service is hosted in the LSA process. The service provides key process isolation to private keys and associated cryptographic operations as required by the Common Criteria. The service stores and uses long-lived keys in a secure process complying with Common Criteria requirements.
KtmRm	KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator	Coordinates transactions between the Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) and the Kernel Transaction Manager (KTM). If it is not needed, it is recommended that this service remain stopped. If it is needed, both MSDTC and KTM will start this service automatically. If this service is disabled, any MSDTC transaction interacting with a Kernel Resource Manager will fail and any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
LanmanServer	Server	Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
LanmanWorkstation	Workstation	Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers using the SMB protocol. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
lltdsvc	Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper	Creates a Network Map, consisting of PC and device topology (connectivity) information, and metadata describing each PC and device. If this service is disabled, the Network Map will not function properly.
lmhosts	TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper	Provides support for the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, therefore enabling users to share files, print, and log on to the network. If this service is stopped, these functions might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
LSM	LSM
MMCSS	Multimedia Class Scheduler	Enables relative prioritization of work based on system-wide task priorities. This is intended mainly for multimedia applications. If this service is stopped, individual tasks resort to their default priority.
MpsSvc	Windows Firewall	Windows Firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network.
MSDTC	Distributed Transaction Coordinator	Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
MSiSCSI	Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service	Manages Internet SCSI (iSCSI) sessions from this computer to remote iSCSI target devices. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to login or access iSCSI targets. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
msiserver	Windows Installer	Adds, modifies, and removes applications provided as a Windows Installer (*.msi) package. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
napagent	Network Access Protection Agent	The Network Access Protection (NAP) agent service collects and manages health information for client computers on a network. Information collected by NAP agent is used to make sure that the client computer has the required software and settings. If a client computer is not compliant with health policy, it can be provided with restricted network access until its configuration is updated. Depending on the configuration of health policy, client computers might be automatically updated so that users quickly regain full network access without having to manually update their computer.
NcaSvc	Network Connectivity Assistant	Provides DirectAccess status notification for UI components
NcdAutoSetup	Network Connected Devices Auto-Setup	Network Connected Devices Auto-Setup service monitors and installs qualified devices that connect to a qualified network. Stopping or disabling this service will prevent Windows from discovering and installing qualified network connected devices automatically. Users can still manually add network connected devices to a PC through the user interface.
Netlogon	Netlogon	Maintains a secure channel between this computer and the domain controller for authenticating users and services. If this service is stopped, the computer may not authenticate users and services and the domain controller cannot register DNS records. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Netman	Network Connections	Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.
netprofm	Network List Service	Identifies the networks to which the computer has connected, collects and stores properties for these networks, and notifies applications when these properties change.
NetTcpPortSharing	Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service	Provides ability to share TCP ports over the net.tcp protocol.
NlaSvc	Network Location Awareness	Collects and stores configuration information for the network and notifies programs when this information is modified. If this service is stopped, configuration information might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
nsi	Network Store Interface Service	This service delivers network notifications (e.g. interface addition/deleting etc) to user mode clients. Stopping this service will cause loss of network connectivity. If this service is disabled, any other services that explicitly depend on this service will fail to start.
p2pimsvc	Peer Networking Identity Manager	Provides identity services for the Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) and Peer-to-Peer Grouping services. If disabled, the Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) and Peer-to-Peer Grouping services may not function, and some applications, such as HomeGroup and Remote Assistance, may not function correctly.
p2psvc	Peer Networking Grouping	Enables multi-party communication using Peer-to-Peer Grouping. If disabled, some applications, such as HomeGroup, may not function.
PcaSvc	Program Compatibility Assistant Service	This service provides support for the Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA). PCA monitors programs installed and run by the user and detects known compatibility problems. If this service is stopped, PCA will not function properly.
PeerDistSvc	BranchCache	This service caches network content from peers on the local subnet.
PerfHost	Performance Counter DLL Host	Enables remote users and 64-bit processes to query performance counters provided by 32-bit DLLs. If this service is stopped, only local users and 32-bit processes will be able to query performance counters provided by 32-bit DLLs.
pla	Performance Logs & Alerts	Performance Logs and Alerts Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If this service is stopped, performance information will not be collected. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
PlugPlay	Plug and Play	Legacy Plug and Play Service
PNRPAutoReg	PNRP Machine Name Publication Service	This service publishes a machine name using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol. Configuration is managed via the netsh context 'p2p pnrp peer'
PNRPsvc	Peer Name Resolution Protocol	Enables serverless peer name resolution over the Internet using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP). If disabled, some peer-to-peer and collaborative applications, such as Remote Assistance, may not function.
PolicyAgent	IPsec Policy Agent	Internet Protocol security (IPsec) supports network-level peer authentication, data origin authentication, data integrity, data confidentiality (encryption), and replay protection. This service enforces IPsec policies created through the IP Security Policies snap-in or the command-line tool "netsh ipsec". If you stop this service, you may experience network connectivity issues if your policy requires that connections use IPsec. Also,remote management of Windows Firewall is not available when this service is stopped.
Power	Power	Manages power policy and power policy notification delivery.
ProfSvc	User Profile Service	This service is responsible for loading and unloading user profiles. If this service is stopped or disabled, users will no longer be able to successfully logon or logoff, applications may have problems getting to users' data, and components registered to receive profile event notifications will not receive them.
QWAVE	Quality Windows Audio Video Experience	Quality Windows Audio Video Experience (qWave) is a networking platform for Audio Video (AV) streaming applications on IP home networks. qWave enhances AV streaming performance and reliability by ensuring network quality-of-service (QoS) for AV applications. It provides mechanisms for admission control, run time monitoring and enforcement, application feedback, and traffic prioritization.
RasAuto	Remote Access Auto Connection Manager	Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.
RasMan	Remote Access Connection Manager	Manages dial-up and virtual private network (VPN) connections from this computer to the Internet or other remote networks. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
RemoteAccess	Routing and Remote Access	Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.
RemoteRegistry	Remote Registry	Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
RpcEptMapper	RPC Endpoint Mapper	Resolves RPC interfaces identifiers to transport endpoints. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using Remote Procedure Call (RPC) services will not function properly.
RpcLocator	Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator	In Windows 2003 and earlier versions of Windows, the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator service manages the RPC name service database. In Windows Vista and later versions of Windows, this service does not provide any functionality and is present for application compatibility.
RpcSs	Remote Procedure Call (RPC)	The RPCSS service is the Service Control Manager for COM and DCOM servers. It performs object activations requests, object exporter resolutions and distributed garbage collection for COM and DCOM servers. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM will not function properly. It is strongly recommended that you have the RPCSS service running.
SamSs	Security Accounts Manager	The startup of this service signals other services that the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) is ready to accept requests. Disabling this service will prevent other services in the system from being notified when the SAM is ready, which may in turn cause those services to fail to start correctly. This service should not be disabled.
SCardSvr	Smart Card	Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to read smart cards. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Schedule	Task Scheduler	Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. The service also hosts multiple Windows system-critical tasks. If this service is stopped or disabled, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
SCPolicySvc	Smart Card Removal Policy	Allows the system to be configured to lock the user desktop upon smart card removal.
SDRSVC	Windows Backup	Provides Windows Backup and Restore capabilities.
seclogon	Secondary Logon	Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
SENS	System Event Notification Service	Monitors system events and notifies subscribers to COM+ Event System of these events.
SensrSvc	Sensor Monitoring Service	Monitors various sensors in order to expose data and adapt to system and user state. If this service is stopped or disabled, the display brightness will not adapt to lighting conditions. Stopping this service may affect other system functionality and features as well.
SessionEnv	Remote Desktop Configuration	Remote Desktop Configuration service (RDCS) is responsible for all Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop related configuration and session maintenance activities that require SYSTEM context. These include per-session temporary folders, RD themes, and RD certificates.
SharedAccess	Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
ShellHWDetection	Shell Hardware Detection	Provides notifications for AutoPlay hardware events.
SNMPTRAP	SNMP Trap	Receives trap messages generated by local or remote Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agents and forwards the messages to SNMP management programs running on this computer. If this service is stopped, SNMP-based programs on this computer will not receive SNMP trap messages. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Spooler	Print Spooler	Loads files to memory for later printing
sppsvc	Software Protection	Enables the download, installation and enforcement of digital licenses for Windows and Windows applications. If the service is disabled, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a notification mode. It is strongly recommended that you not disable the Software Protection service.
SSDPSRV	SSDP Discovery	Discovers networked devices and services that use the SSDP discovery protocol, such as UPnP devices. Also announces SSDP devices and services running on the local computer. If this service is stopped, SSDP-based devices will not be discovered. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
SstpSvc	Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service	Provides support for the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) to connect to remote computers using VPN. If this service is disabled, users will not be able to use SSTP to access remote servers.
stisvc	Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)	Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras
StorSvc	Storage Service	Enforces group policy for storage devices
svsvc	Spot Verifier	Provides Disk Corruption Spot Verification Capabilities.
swprv	Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider	Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
SysMain	Superfetch	Maintains and improves system performance over time.
SystemEventsBroker	System Events Broker	Coordinates execution of background work for WinRT application. If this service is stopped or disabled, then background work might not be triggered.
TabletInputService	Tablet PC Input Service	Enables Tablet PC pen and ink functionality
TapiSrv	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.
TermService	Remote Desktop Services	Allows users to connect interactively to a remote computer. Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Session Host 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.
Themes	Themes	Provides user experience theme management.
THREADORDER	Thread Ordering Server	Provides ordered execution for a group of threads within a specific period of time.
TimeBroker	Time Broker	Coordinates execution of background work for WinRT application. If this service is stopped or disabled, then background work might not be triggered.
TrkWks	Distributed Link Tracking Client	Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network.
TrustedInstaller	Windows Modules Installer	Enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components. If this service is disabled, install or uninstall of Windows updates might fail for this computer.
UI0Detect	Interactive Services Detection	Enables user notification of user input for interactive services, which enables access to dialogs created by interactive services when they appear. If this service is stopped, notifications of new interactive service dialogs will no longer function and there might not be access to interactive service dialogs. If this service is disabled, both notifications of and access to new interactive service dialogs will no longer function.
UmRdpService	Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector	Allows the redirection of Printers/Drives/Ports for RDP connections
upnphost	UPnP Device Host	Allows UPnP devices to be hosted on this computer. If this service is stopped, any hosted UPnP devices will stop functioning and no additional hosted devices can be added. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
VaultSvc	Credential Manager	Provides secure storage and retrieval of credentials to users, applications and security service packages.
vds	Virtual Disk	Provides management services for disks, volumes, file systems, and storage arrays.
vmickvpexchange	Hyper-V Data Exchange Service	Provides a mechanism to exchange data between the virtual machine and the operating system running on the physical computer.
VSS	Volume Shadow Copy	Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
W32Time	Windows Time	Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
wbengine	Block Level Backup Engine Service	The WBENGINE service is used by Windows Backup to perform backup and recovery operations. If this service is stopped by a user, it may cause the currently running backup or recovery operation to fail. Disabling this service may disable backup and recovery operations using Windows Backup on this computer.
WbioSrvc	Windows Biometric Service	The Windows biometric service gives client applications the ability to capture, compare, manipulate, and store biometric data without gaining direct access to any biometric hardware or samples. The service is hosted in a privileged SVCHOST process.
Wcmsvc	Windows Connection Manager	Makes automatic connect/disconnect decisions based on the network connectivity options currently available to the PC and enables management of network connectivity based on Group Policy settings.
wcncsvc	Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar	WCNCSVC hosts the Windows Connect Now Configuration which is Microsoft's Implementation of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) protocol. This is used to configure Wireless LAN settings for an Access Point (AP) or a Wi-Fi Device. The service is started programmatically as needed.
WcsPlugInService	Windows Color System	The WcsPlugInService service hosts third-party Windows Color System color device model and gamut map model plug-in modules. These plug-in modules are vendor-specific extensions to the Windows Color System baseline color device and gamut map models. Stopping or disabling the WcsPlugInService service will disable this extensibility feature, and the Windows Color System will use its baseline model processing rather than the vendor's desired processing. This might result in inaccurate color rendering.
WdiServiceHost	Diagnostic Service Host	The Diagnostic Service Host is used by the Diagnostic Policy Service to host diagnostics that need to run in a Local Service context. If this service is stopped, any diagnostics that depend on it will no longer function.
WdiSystemHost	Diagnostic System Host	The Diagnostic System Host is used by the Diagnostic Policy Service to host diagnostics that need to run in a Local System context. If this service is stopped, any diagnostics that depend on it will no longer function.
WdNisSvc	Windows Defender Network Inspection Service	Helps guard against intrusion attempts targeting known and newly discovered vulnerabilities in network protocols
WebClient	WebClient	Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Wecsvc	Windows Event Collector	This service manages persistent subscriptions to events from remote sources that support WS-Management protocol. This includes Windows Vista event logs, hardware and IPMI-enabled event sources. The service stores forwarded events in a local Event Log. If this service is stopped or disabled event subscriptions cannot be created and forwarded events cannot be accepted.
wercplsupport	Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support	This service provides support for viewing, sending and deletion of system-level problem reports for the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel.
WerSvc	Windows Error Reporting Service	Allows errors to be reported when programs stop working or responding and allows existing solutions to be delivered. Also allows logs to be generated for diagnostic and repair services. If this service is stopped, error reporting might not work correctly and results of diagnostic services and repairs might not be displayed.
WiaRpc	Still Image Acquisition Events	Launches applications associated with still image acquisition events.
WinDefend	Windows Defender Service	Helps protect users from malware and other potentially unwanted software
WinHttpAutoProxySvc	WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service	WinHTTP implements the client HTTP stack and provides developers with a Win32 API and COM Automation component for sending HTTP requests and receiving responses. In addition, WinHTTP provides support for auto-discovering a proxy configuration via its implementation of the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) protocol.
Winmgmt	Windows Management Instrumentation	Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
WinRM	Windows Remote Management (WS-Management)	Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service implements the WS-Management protocol for remote management. WS-Management is a standard web services protocol used for remote software and hardware management. The WinRM service listens on the network for WS-Management requests and processes them. The WinRM Service needs to be configured with a listener using winrm.cmd command line tool or through Group Policy in order for it to listen over the network. The WinRM service provides access to WMI data and enables event collection. Event collection and subscription to events require that the service is running. WinRM messages use HTTP and HTTPS as transports. The WinRM service does not depend on IIS but is preconfigured to share a port with IIS on the same machine. The WinRM service reserves the /wsman URL prefix. To prevent conflicts with IIS, administrators should ensure that any websites hosted on IIS do not use the /wsman URL prefix.
WlanSvc	WLAN AutoConfig	The WLANSVC service provides the logic required to configure, discover, connect to, and disconnect from a wireless local area network (WLAN) as defined by IEEE 802.11 standards. It also contains the logic to turn your computer into a software access point so that other devices or computers can connect to your computer wirelessly using a WLAN adapter that can support this. Stopping or disabling the WLANSVC service will make all WLAN adapters on your computer inaccessible from the Windows networking UI. It is strongly recommended that you have the WLANSVC service running if your computer has a WLAN adapter.
wlidsvc	Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant	Enables user sign-in through Windows Live Identity services. If this service is stopped, users will not be able to logon to the computer with their Windows Live ID account.
wmiApSrv	WMI Performance Adapter	Provides performance library information from Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) providers to clients on the network. This service only runs when Performance Data Helper is activated.
WMPNetworkSvc	Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service	Shares Windows Media Player libraries to other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play
WPCSvc	Parental Controls	This service is a stub for Windows Parental Control functionality that existed in Vista. It is provided for backward compatibility only.
WPDBusEnum	Portable Device Enumerator Service	Enforces group policy for removable mass-storage devices. Enables applications such as Windows Media Player and Image Import Wizard to transfer and synchronize content using removable mass-storage devices.
wscsvc	Security Center	The WSCSVC (Windows Security Center) service monitors and reports security health settings on the computer. The health settings include firewall (on/off), antivirus (on/off/out of date), antispyware (on/off/out of date), Windows Update (automatically/manually download and install updates), User Account Control (on/off), and Internet settings (recommended/not recommended). The service provides COM APIs for independent software vendors to register and record the state of their products to the Security Center service. The Action Center (AC) UI uses the service to provide systray alerts and a graphical view of the security health states in the AC control panel. Network Access Protection (NAP) uses the service to report the security health states of clients to the NAP Network Policy Server to make network quarantine decisions. The service also has a public API that allows external consumers to programmatically retrieve the aggregated security health state of the system.
WSearch	Windows Search	Provides content indexing, property caching, and search results for files, e-mail, and other content.
WSService	Windows Store Service(WSService)	Provides infrastructure support for Windows Store.This service is started on demand and if disabled applications bought using Windows Store will not behave correctly.
wuauserv	Windows Update	Enables the detection, download, and installation of updates for Windows and other programs. If this service is disabled, users of this computer will not be able to use Windows Update or its automatic updating feature, and programs will not be able to use the Windows Update Agent (WUA) API.
wudfsvc	Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework	Manages user-mode driver host processes.
WwanSvc	WWAN AutoConfig	This service manages mobile broadband (GSM & CDMA) data card/embedded module adapters and connections by auto-configuring the networks. It is strongly recommended that this service be kept running for best user experience of mobile broadband devices.

Wikis - Comment List

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Posting comments is temporarily disabled until 10:00am PST on Saturday, December 14th. Thank you for your patience.

Comments

Posted by Luigi Bruno

on 16 Jan 2012 4:56 AM

Useful resource.
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Posted by Greg Marshall_exMSFT

on 29 Apr 2012 3:24 PM

Are these system services considered core to the operating system? Whats the default state of each? What accounts are being used for service authentication?
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