Windows 10 Optimization – Part 2 – Services

Note: New article on Services Optimization for VDI posted that includes the Anniversary (Build 1607) and Creator (Build 1703) updates. This post is only for the original (Build 1511) release.

In the Windows 10 Optimization – Part 1, I mostly focused on those applications which come pre-installed. Removing the apps shouldn’t help us get better server density, unless the users are spending all day watching videos or interacting with Xbox. Mostly, removing unneeded applications will create a cleaner image from which we can build our master image.

In this part, I want to take a closer look at Windows 10 services. Are there any that we can shut down to make the operating system consume less resources? Will it impact the experience? And while we are looking at services, let’s keep in mind our XenApp Best Practice

For the best combination of user experience and resource consumption, optimize appropriately

And maybe we should add “optimize responsibly” when it comes to services. The more you monkey with the services, the more likely you will experience application or user issues.

First, these services are running, by default, and can be stopped and disabled (Caution: Disabling these services can result in applications not working appropriately and will increase troubleshooting time).

Service Name	Default State	Default Status	Notes
Background Intelligent Transfer Service	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Running	Set default state to “Manual” as 3rd party software might require the service.
Diagnostic Policy Services	Automatic	Running
Diagnostic Service Host	Manual	Running
Diagnostic System Host	Manual	Running
Diagnostics Tracking Service	Automatic	Running
Function Discovery Provider Host	Manual	Running
Function Discovery Resource Publication	Manual	Running
Home Group Provider	Manual (Trigger Start)	Running	Not used in VDI environment
Security Center	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Running
Shell Hardware Detection Service	Automatic	Running	Supports AutoPlay, which is not typically used in VDI.
SSDP Discovery	Manual	Running	Not typically used in corporate environments.
SuperFetch	Automatic	Running	Can enable for dedicated desktops
Themes	Automatic	Running	This will impact the user experience
Windows Connect Now – Config Registrar Service	Manual	Running	Not required in VDI
Windows Search	Automatic (Delayed Start)	Running	Consider disabling. Will have a high impact on server density.

Second, these services are not running, but they are set to Manual or Manual (Trigger Start). Although they are not running, disabling them will prevent their accidental execution in a VDI environment. (Caution: Disabling these services can result in applications not working appropriately and will increase troubleshooting time).

Service Name	Default State	Default Status	Notes
AllJoyn Router	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped
Application Layer Gateway Service	Manual	Stopped	Not needed for VDI environments.
BitLocker Drive Encryption Service	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped	Drive encryption not typically used in VDI environments.
Block Level Backup Engine Service	Manual	Stopped	Windows backup not typically used in VDI.
Bluetooth Hands free Service	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped	Not typically used in VDI.
Bluetooth Support Service	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped
BranchCache Service	Manual	Stopped	Used for network savings to a WAN and not typically needed in VDI
Computer Browser Service	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped
Encrypting File System Service	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped
Fax Service	Manual	Stopped
Home Group Listener	Manual	Stopped	Not used within corporate environments.
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	Manual	Stopped	Not used within VDI environments.
Offline Files	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped
Optimize Drives	Manual	Stopped	Should only optimize in the master image
Retail Demo	Manual	Stopped
Sensor Monitoring Service	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped
UPnP Device Host Service	Manual	Stopped
Windows Error Reporting Service	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped	Disable if logs are not being gathered and analyzed
Windows Media Player Network Sharing	Manual	Stopped	Not typically used in VDI environments.
Windows Update	Manual (Trigger Start)	Stopped	Only update the master image.
WLAN AutoConfig	Manual	Stopped	Not typically used in VDI environments.
WWAN AutoConfig	Manual	Stopped	Not typically used in VDI environments.
Xbox Live Auth Manager	Manual	Stopped	Not typically used in VDI environments.
Xbox Live Game Save	Manual	Stopped	Not typically used in VDI environments.
Xbox Live Networking Service	Manual	Stopped	Not typically used in VDI environments.

IMPORTANT

If these services are disabled in the master image, it will be more difficult to effectively manage the master image. For example, if Windows Update is disabled in the master image, an administrator will be required to re-enable the Windows Update Service BEFORE trying to run Windows Update. The administrator will then have to remember to disable Windows Update when the update process is complete.

It is advisable to use a Group Policy to disable the services and apply the policy onto to the VDI-based desktop objects.

And remember our XenApp Best Practice:

For the best combination of user experience and resource consumption, optimize appropriately

If you are unsure about a service, LEAVE IT ALONE!

Note: The complete Windows 10 optimization blog series