How to Uninstall Windows XP Service

A "service" in Windows XP is any small program that, not surprisingly, provides some sort of service to the computer user. Common instances of these services include the "Microsoft Help" support system or the Network Authentication Manager. Essentially, they are small executable programs designed to run without needing input or intervention by the computer user. Some of these services, however, are more annoying than they are useful, and you might find yourself wishing there was some way to get rid of them. Luckily, there is an easy way to do so.

Instructions

1. Turn on your computer and wait for your operating system to load. Once it has loaded, click the "Start" button and select the "Run" option from the Start Menu. This opens the Command Prompt window.

2. Type "sc delete <service name>" and press "Enter". Replace "<Service Name>" with the name of the service. Type in the actual name of the service you wish to delete--for instance, deleting the Microsoft Help and Support service would require you to type in "sc delete helpsvc" rather than "sc delete help and support."

3. Repeat step 2 for as many services as you wish to delete. Once you are finished deleting services, reboot your system for your changes to take effect.

Tips & Warnings

• For a list of services and their names, select the "Run" option from the Start menu, and type in "services.msc." This will bring up a list of services. Double-click on the names of the services to see their exact name rather than the display name.

• Deleting some services may cause your Windows installation to become unstable. Follow these instructions at your own risk.

References

• The Elder Geek: Create or Delete a service in Windows XP