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Running Windows With No Services
mattOzan writes "So how many of the almost 4 dozen default-enabled services does Windows XP really need in order to preserve basic functioning, like web surfing and running applications?
Zero, as it turns out.
Mark Russinovich at Sysinternals demonstrates that if certain steps are followed, Windows XP will still run with only two active processes: System and Csrss.exe. No Smss.exe, Winlogon.exe, Services.exe, Lsass.exe...
And, contrary to the expectations of various lead engineers at Microsoft, even Internet Explorer will still work under such conditions."
The bottom line is that this stripped-down Windows configuration is not practical, but makes a cool demonstration of just how little of Windows is required for basic functionality.
- There will be a delay before Explorer redraws the desktop
- won't be able to logoff
- Networking is also crippled
I don't think this stripped-down Windows provides even the most basic functionality expected by many users nowadays.It's like patients are treated as long as their hearts are beating, even though everything else has shut down.
Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
Hmmm. Define "work"...
Seems like an awful lot of work to kill some services. Personally I think starting in runlevel 3 is much easier, maybe Windows should think about going to a CLI-only interface for some of us uber-geeks out there. That'd gain them some respect in my book.
I wonder how this well XP will run on qemu with all of those services turned off? There is very little I need from windows and I wonder if this would help with those final annoying things I need from windows at home.
Really? Does it? Isn't this just an old joke with not much fact to back it up anymore?
"Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
For running games, if you really care about it, you can CTRL ALT DEL and close explorer.exe. Then, run the game from the 'run' menu in Task Manager.
You probby won't notice any speed difference.. But your penis will be larger.
--- We need more Ron Paul!
the majority of people reading this will not wonder even Internet Explorer will still work under such conditions but if Firefox will still work under such conditions
do.what.promptcmds
Take a look at Black Viper's list of WinXP SP2 services.
UNTRUE! I just tried his suggestion and it didn't work AT ALL!
As long as we can get BSODs, windows basic funtionality is assured.
In Windows Vista it's a Transparent Ice Blue Screen Of Death, and it's tabbed.
You're still hosed, but it looks nicer.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
Well I doubt Russonivich has anything to worry about, he's one of the people that wrote the "Windows Internals" book from the Microsoft press.
Now that aside Windows integration is considered a GOOD thing by most normal users. That's one of the frustrating thing about Linux/UNIX form their perspective. There's a million options, and they have no idea what they need or want. What's more, if they make the wrong choice something might not work, since it depends on something else.
That's why Windows, and OS-X ship with so much integrated. They are targeted at users that want to be told how it is. They don't want a choice of 10 window managers, they want to have one that just comes up by default.
Now if you like the BSD way of doing thigns, that's cool, but don't assume that it applies to everyone.
Building from source is another great example. Linux people tend to see this as the best feature of Linux, that you custom compile things, and you don't have to worry about binary compatiblity. Newbies tend to see this is one of the worst features. Compiling is highly intimidating, as they don't understand what's going on. What''s worse, if something happens, they can't fix it, they don't know how to edit make files, or update headers, etc.
The Windows method is more targeted at the masses, have an enriched OS that isn't just defined as it's kernel, but it's APIs, GUI, media layer, and basic apps. Linux is a minimal approach that defines only the kernel, leaving everything else up to the option of the user.
Both are valid, and don't assume yours is the superior way.
This is great! Love the screenshots too, but WTF is that system idle process running at 99% !!!???!!! Jesus H that thing is a hog! Does anyone know how to kill it? I don't want to burn out my CPU...
Blarf.