Operating systems design their features from the factory based on a specific user profile, and Windows 10 is no exception to this rule. This means that there are several resources that we don’t use that are active, consuming machine resources — and often we don’t even know they are there.
With that in mind, we have prepared a list of 11 Windows services you can disable without problems. More than that: they are easy to deactivate, not requiring us to enter complicated menus.
Just click on Start (or press the Windows keyboard on the keyboard), enter “Control Panel,” “Programs,” “Programs and Features,” and then click on “Turn Windows features on or off” on the left side, next to Windows shield (i.e., administrator permissions required). Let’s go.
1. XPS Services
XPS is a format created by Microsoft itself to create, print and view files on your computer. It was developed as an alternative to Adobe PDF but is rarely used. If you don’t use it and don’t plan to use it in the future, disable it here.
2. Hosting on the process activation service (or WAS – Windows Process Activation Service)
To help the user develop applications and services, WAS focuses on those who plan to transform their computer into a home server. If you are an ordinary user, disabling it is a good alternative.
3. Remote Differential Compression (RDC)
Present in Windows for some generations now, RDC is a service more focused on server environments. Allows remote connection between two computers, such as Remote Desktop Connection. You can disable this service here if you don’t use remote access on your machine.
4. Workbook Client
Shared folder links on the network are quite common in corporate environments but uncommon on home PCs. You can disable this service if you don’t have remote folders at home.
5. Windows PowerShell
Undeniably powerful and versatile, PowerShell is a Linux Terminal-like tool for task automation and scripting. It is a kind of “Super CMD,” but it can be disabled if not used.
6. Windows Fax and Scan
As the name implies, this is the subsystem for handling fax machines and scanners. If you don’t use such devices, you can disable it without fear.
7. Microsoft Print to PDF
Some sites offer the option to print specific files, and this feature here allows this “printing” to be virtual, saving the document in PDF format. It is unnecessary, as all you have to do is download the file or use the resource within the company’s Office suite.
8. Internet Printing Client
Still talking about printing, this feature allows printing via the Internet within the local network. If you don’t have a printer that works on the network, you can disable this feature without any problems.
9. Internet Explorer
Ah, IE… Commonly used to download another browser (like Chrome or Firefox), Internet Explorer has become even more superfluous since the incorporation of Edge by Microsoft itself. Time to put him to sleep.
10. Windows Media Player
Still in the spare software department, we have Windows Media Player. Unable to play more modern file formats, it can be replaced by excellent free alternatives, such as VLC Media Player, which, in addition to being accessible and versatile, is also free software.
11. DirectPlay
A component of the DirectX API, DirectPlay, is used to run very old games, hardly played today. You can disable it in Legacy Components →DirectPlay.
