Volume
Shadow Copy. Manages
& implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup & other purposes.
Similar to the MS Software Shadow Copy Provider Service you can set this
to Manual should you be using the Backup utility to perform such a backup procedure & equally you can set it
to Manual
if you won’t be.
WebClient.
Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, & modify Internet-based
files. For best functionality you should set this to Manual, although
for improved security it would be best to set this Disabled –
particularly on systems which are likely to have multiple less experienced Users
logged on & have Internet access (This shouldn’t impede Internet access
whatsoever).
Windows
Audio. Manages
audio devices for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio
devices & effects will not function properly. If you have a Soundcard
installed set this to Automatic otherwise it will not playback any audio.
Setting this to Manual will, as a result be of most use to system
administrators in a work environment where you don’t want Users of your
systems to get distracted by listening to MP3s/CDs, etc. while supposedly being
productive.
Windows
Image Acquisition (WIA).
Provides image acquisition services for scanners & cameras. This can
be set to Manual regardless of Imaging Applications/Hardware installed to
ensure their proper functionality & only is initiated when required. One
such Application that uses this is Windows Movie Maker.
Windows
Installer. Installs,
repairs & removes software according to instructions contained in .MSI files.
Leave this set to Manual. This will allow you to Install/Uninstall/Repair
programs listed in the Add/Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel.
You should set this to Disable this if you don't wish others to have the
ability to change any Software installation, or to install Programs/Hardware
which use the Windows Installer.
Windows
Management Instrumentation.
Provides a common interface & object model to access management
information about operating system, devices, applications & services. WMI
is a management infrastructure that supports monitoring & controlling system
resources through a common set of interfaces & provides a logically
organized, consistent model of Windows operation, configuration, & status.
To ensure your PC runs as normal set this to Automatic only.
Windows
Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions.
Provides systems management information to & from drivers. An
extension of the Windows Management Instrumentation service this is not
as critical to normal operation of the system & in most cases you will be
able to set this to Manual without adversely affecting the PC.
Windows
Time. Maintains
date & time synchronization on all clients & servers in the network.
By default Windows XP will attempt synchronisation with a
Network/Internet server weekly in order to maintain a consistent & accurate
time on the PC. Should you wish to use this feature set this to Automatic,
although most of you may not require this time checking in which case set this
to Manual & disable automatic synchronisation. Double click
on the time on the Taskbar & select the Internet Time tab.
Untick
Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server to disable
synchronisation & click Ok for the changes to take effect.
Wireless
Zero Configuration.
Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters. Should your
system require support for 802.11 devices set this to Automatic,
otherwise you may leave it set to Manual instead.
WMDM
PMSP Service. WMDM
(Windows Media Device Manager) PMSP (Pre-Message
Security Protocol) is a feature of the Windows Media Format SDK,
which supports the SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative)
for packaging copyrighted music. Applications developed with WMDM will enable
users to copy their music compact disc (CD) collection, as well as protected
music downloaded from the Web, to SDMI-compliant portable music players &
SDMI-compliant portable storage devices (such as flash memory cards). If you are
intending to transfers music to SDMI-compliant portable devices then set this to
Automatic, otherwise you may safely leave this set to Manual.
Thanks to Patrick Gagnon, Seth Hanford & Chanur Silvarian for their help
with information about this Service.
WMI
Performance Adapter.
Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers. You
can leave this set to Manual.
