Windows Services

o When your SQL Server is under pressure stopping or disabling unnecessary services may free up resource.

o This is especially true of x32 systems where bottom memory allocation is critical.

o Just because x64 has a flat memory model there is still no reason to not pay attention to services, some of which may actually be weak spots in your defenses.

o Important: Do not just disable services and hope for the best, it could be you may be using some of them.

o I’m assuming this is for a dedicated SQL Server and is based upon Windows 2003 SP2.

o Disabled services can stop service pack installation, always set to manual if you are unsure

o IIS requires a special mention, usually this isn’t installed but if you want to run SSRS then it has to be installed.

o I have seen this installed purely to enable smtp forwarding, use a custom proc rather than installing and running IIS.

o Telephony - this cannot be stopped whilst Remote Access Connection Manager and Remote Access Auto Connection are running.

o Windows Firewall – Probably not wanted on a Server ( ** )

o Server Service – ( not listed ) you can stop this but you lose file shares part of the process to harden a SQL Server.

o Windows Installer – ideally this shouldn’t be running but be careful of disabling it.

o Depending on your build and install you may have other services installed or running. I frequently see Full Text Service and Analysis Services running although no use is being made of them, don’t just install everything.

o Same applies to Indexing Service.

Windows Service	Setting
Application Management	Disabled
Alerter	Disabled
Automatic Updates	Disabled
Background Intelligent Transfer Service	Manual
Clipbook	Disabled
Computer Browser	Disabled
Distributed File System	Disabled
Distributed link tracking client	Disabled
Distributed transaction coordinator	Manual
Error Reporting Service	Disabled
Fax Service	Disabled
File Replication	Disabled
Help and Support	Disabled
HTTP SSL	Disabled
License Logging	Disabled
Logical Disk Manager	Manual
Messenger	Disabled
Portable Media Serial Number Service	Manual
Print Spooler	Disabled
Remote Access Connection Manager	Manual
Remote Access Auto Connection	Manual
Remote Registry	Manual
Secondary Logon	Manual
Shell Hardware Detection	Disabled
Task Scheduler	Disabled
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper	Manual
Telephony	Manual
Windows Audio	Disabled
Windows Firewall	Disabled **
Wireless Configuration	Disabled