Check for Unnecessary Services

Issue

Services that are listed in the security report have been determined to be a security risk with your system configuration (that is, the services contained in the services.txt file were found to be enabled on the scanned computers).

The services.txt file, included with MBSA in the installation folder, can be edited such that the tool will check the status of each service listed in the file. To add or change services from the default list, edit the services.txt file with Notepad or Microsoft Word and type the service name for each service you would like to scan. The service names can be found by viewing the properties of a service in the Services Control Panel applet.

Solution

Use the Services Control Manager to disable the services that are a potential security risk.

Instructions

To disable services in Windows XP or Windows 2000

1. Click Start, point to Settings, point to Control Panel.
2. Double-click Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
3. Double-click the service that you want to disable.
4. Click Stop to stop the service.
5. Under Startup type, click Disabled.

To disable services in Windows NT 4.0

1. Click Start, point to Programs, click Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Services.
3. Double-click the service that you want to disable.
4. Click Stop to stop the service.
5. Under Startup type, click Disabled.

Additional Information

Disabling Nonessential Services in Windows 2000 Professional

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