Services list & Recommendations

QoS RSVP. Provides network signaling & local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs & control applets. Leave this set to Manual, most users will not be using such programs & have no need to set it to Automatic. You should generally know whether or not you need this enabled.

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager. Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address. In most instances you should be able to set this to Manual without any issue. Although if you are using a modem to provide Internet connectivity it is recommended you set this to Automatic (Personally I've not found this to be the case however).

Remote Access Connection Manager. Creates a network connection. Leave this set to Automatic if you are connecting to a network. Those not connected to a network should be able to set this to Manual.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC). Provides the endpoint mapper & other miscellaneous RPC services. Set this Service to Automatic. Setting it to Manual/Disable can cause problems, in my experience at least it will stop any Internet activity from occurring.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator. Manages the RPC name service database. Much like the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service above you should also leave this set to Automatic if available.

Remote Registry Service. Allows remote registry manipulation. You should set this to Disable unless the Network administrator needs to be able to enter each PC's registry remotely, in which case a setting of Automatic would be more appropriate. Selecting Disable is also a useful security feature in case a Malicious user manages to obtain the Administrator's password & intends to remotely perform harmful acts to your systems registry.

Removable Storage. Manages removable media, drives, & libraries. If you have such devices, e.g. Tape drives (not CD\DVD\Floppy drives), then this set to Automatic. Otherwise you may leave it on Manual. NOTE – If set to Manual you will need to Start this service before using the Backup program with such backup devices.

Routing & Remote Access. Offers routing services to businesses in local area & wide area network environments. If that description fits your system/network type then set this to Automatic, otherwise leave it set it to Manual.

RunAs Service. Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. You should set this to Manual, this can allow you to say, use WindowsUpdate when logged on as a user other than the Administrator (many updates require you to be logged on as an Administrator to install).

For example, to use the RunAs service with WindowsUpdate - Click on Start, hold down the Shift key, Right click on WindowsUpdate & click RunAs, then Run the program as BACKUP/Administrator. For security purposes you would be best advised to set this to Disable, particularly on systems which are accessed by multiple users & you don't want the risk of them guessing an Users password with Administrative privileges necessary to perform certain tasks.

Security Accounts Manager. Stores security information for local user accounts. Leave this set to Manual if you haven't changed any Security policies via the Local Security Policy editor. If you have made Security Policy changes set this to Automatic in order that the policies may be applied at User logon.

Server. Provides RPC support & file, print, & named pipe sharing. If you have IIS 5.0 installed & active on your machine it is recommended that you set this to Manual. Set this to Automatic should you wish to make Offline files available to others, assuming their machines support SMB (Server Message Block-based) File & Printer Sharing.

Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP). Transports electronic mail across the network. Should your machine provide an SMTP server then set this to Automatic. You may leave it set to Manual at all other times.

Smart Card. Manages & controls access to a smart card inserted into a smart card reader attached to the computer. If you use a SmartCard (not likely for home users) then you can set this to Disabled or Manual. If you do happen to use a smart card system set this to Automatic.

Smart Card Helper. Provides support for legacy smart card readers attached to the computer. If you use a SmartCard (not likely for home users) then you can set this to Disabled or Manual. If you do happen to use a smart card system set this to Automatic.

System Event Notification. Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, & power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events. I'd recommend leaving this set to Manual, or Automatic depending on how your system is configured (particularly if on a network). Nearly all home users (like myself) can leave this set to Manual with any problems.