If you are an experienced Windows XP user who has upgraded to Windows Vista, you have probably noticed the number of Windows services available in Vista is much more numerous. Trying to determine what each service does and how changing it’s status can be time consuming and confusing. Instead of trial and error, check out this comprehensive list of Windows Vista Services.

This article explains what each service does as well as lists dependencies. Additionally, it offers suggestions on whether or not the service actually needs to be running (read the description at the top though). Of course, while you are tweaking, keep in mind that when you are in doubt leave the setting as it is.

Going through this list can really help eliminate unneeded services from consuming your system resources.