Introduction
Identifies how to reduce your operating system load and speed up your computer by reducing the number of running applications.
Background
Until recently I have been trolling through the Windows Services Application to see which Programs not to run when connecting to the internet, as learning Ms SQL Server identified possible attacks by increasing the number facets available. Therefore I built batch files to Stop identified services before making any internet connection and then start them again when not connected and wanting to use them. On recent installations of Windows 7 and 8 operating systems, I found that by exporting the Services List to a Text file after the initial installation I could more easily identify which Services to Start and Stop at will.
Using the code
You DON’T have to uninstall all your software to get your PC
or Laptop to work like it did when you first got it, you just have to be able
to turn off all the other software you have installed since you got it.
I do it every time I connect to the internet to ensure that
my Antivirus and Firewall have all the system resources needed to protect my
laptops!
What I have just figured out :
1.
Find out what Software is running when the
computer is installed for the first time by going to Services :
2.
Don’t Select or click on any of the items but go
to the MENU Bar and and Export the list. These wll be items that you need running at all times. (It is best to have
installed your Antivirus and Firewall before this):
3.
Once you have installed all your software repeat
the Export to List Function above.
4.
I have designed a spreadsheet to link to those
exports and give you the commands needed to stop all the unnecessary
applications as you choose. Create an excel document with 3 Tabs
-
Windows Base Tab - Create an External link to your 1st Services List Export making sure to populate cell $B$3 on. Then enter the following formulae in
Cells B1 to F1 and Cell A4 then copy down Cell A4 to the bottom of the imported data:
-
All Additions Tab - Create an External link to your Last Services List Export making sure to populate cell $E$3 on. Then enter the following formulae in
Cells E1 to I1 and Cells A4 to D4 then copy down Cells A4 to D4 to the bottom of the imported data:
-
Task Manager Tab - Follow the steps below making sure to populate cell $A$3 on. Then enter the following formula in Cell F3 and copy down :
5.
In the Main Tab (Windows Base) you should update and link
the Table to your 1st Exported File by clicking REFRESH :
6.
When the Link to File Window opens, select your
1st Exported File :
7.
Once the Table updates, ensure that the formula
in Cell A4 is not changed and then copy it down through column A to the last
entry :
8.
The formula in A4 looks at the Task Manager Data
to indicate whether that application exists on your system, Task Manager Data.
Either press Ctrl Shift Esc (3 keys) together or right click the task bar :
9.
In Windows 8 Task Manager window, Show more
detail then go to the SERVICES Tab and copy the list by selecting all when pressing
CTRL A (2 Keys) at the same time and then CTRL C (2 keys) at the same time:
Windows 7 allows you to select all when you use Shift and Down arrow
until you get to the bottom, but does not seem to copy and paste the selected
list L
If you have any dated package like that then you are going to have to get the 3
necessary columns (Name, Description,
Status) by following these steps. Click Start and enter Powershell in the search
field :
Run the ISE Powershell Module then copy and paste the command below in to the Action Pane then press Enter:
get-service | select-object name, id, displayname, status, groupname |
format-table -property Name, id, DisplayName, Status, GroupName -auto
Using the Mouse, highlight and copy the resulting list:
Create a new Excel Workbook then paste into cell A1:
Go to the Data Menu on Excel and click
Text to Columns:
Choose Fixed Width, then in the next screen make sure there are lines between
Name, Id, Description and Status:
Click Finish and then highlight just the Cells A3 to D# (not entire row or
column as it will not paste):
10.
In The Task Manager tab of the Services Excel workbook paste
your Task Manager List in to Cell A2 , as you will need to delete the Headings
(One by one or all at once will remove the filter). Or, Paste you Powershell
list in to A3 as you would not have copied the Headings.
Make sure to copy the formula in the LOOKUP column to the bottom of your list.
11.
Finally in the All Additions Tab REFRESH as you did earlier and link
that table to your last SERVICES Exported file. Then ensure that the formulae
in columns A4 to D4 have not changed and copy them down(They should all point
to row 4 expect for C$1 and D$1) :
12.
Filter column A
for 0 :
13.
Filter Column H
for everything but Disabled for
Services to be stopped and don’t include Manual
for everything to be started :
14.
Open Notepad.exe and copy and paste the fltered column Start
then save the file as Start.Bat with type ALL Files and do the same for Stop :
15.
Create Desktop Shortcuts to the Start and Stop files.
Edit the Shortcuts giving them easily idetifiable Icons and in the Advanced
Settings select ‘Run as Administrator’. Done :D
Points of Interest
Initially, my idea was to just limit the possibilty of internet attacks by increasing the performance of my Anti Virus and Firewall. I also found that reducing the burden on system resources meant better performance all round.
History
I intend to further develop the file to include VBA code to automate most of the required procedures!
