Computer OS Components

Probably, many users of Windows operating systems faced such a concept as OS components. Not all, however, clearly imagine what it is and why such services are needed. Moreover, the vast majority of users and does not know that they can be selectively disabled or used. Since we mainly use different versions of Windows OS, we will consider them.

Functional components of the OS, or Basic components of Windows

As for the general interpretation of the components of Windows operating systems, almost all sources give an explanation that this is an embedded package of multimedia applications and web services (and for some network operating systems there are also some additional features) that replaced the MSN services in 2005.

Then it became known as Windows Live, and later it was renamed to "Basic Windows Components" (OS Components). In fact, this is a number of applications, so to speak, for all occasions, including some multimedia programs, development tools or services for monitoring network connections and remote access. The functional components of the network OS will be discussed later. In the meantime, let's dwell on the main package, as well as the feasibility and method of disabling a number of unused services and processes.

How do the components of the operating system affect performance?

Each user should clearly understand that when the operating system boots, not only the main processes responsible for the operation of the entire system start, but also a huge number of background services that are not visible to the user's eye. Do not believe me? Go to the "Task Manager" and see how many there are.

Naturally, some unused services have a detrimental effect on Windows performance. In the background, they are able to load both RAM and the processor to an unthinkable level. In this case, some of them often make the most use of even access to the hard disk. Together, this only leads to the fact that the system starts to slow down, to put it mildly, and the launch of some applications in general becomes impossible.

Enabling or disabling services

Now let's look at enabling or disabling OS components. Where is this section located? As usual, in the "Control Panel" - in the menu of programs and components (for versions of Windows Vista and above).

Unfortunately, in Windows XP such functions are not provided (except for the emergency completion of processes). But in all the newest systems they can either be used or disabled at their discretion.

So, go to the above section, on the left in the panel we select the menu for enabling and disabling system components and look at the list. What we have? At first glance, you see a bunch of incomprehensible services that are enabled or disabled by default (for example, the .NET Framework or Windows Power Shell in use).

We will talk at once, if you do not know what it is, it is better not to touch such services, or even the whole system "will fly off". On the other hand, many familiar OS components can be found in the list. Immediately strikes so all the hotly unloved Internet Explorer browser, which is turned on by default. As it is already clear, if you do not treat his followers and use a different browser, this service can be easily deactivated.

Now let's pay attention to the components of the OS for working with multimedia. Depending on the version of Windows, the list may be different. For example, you can safely turn off, say, a home video studio (assuming it is never used) or the same Windows Media player (the system will give a warning that the shutdown can affect other programs, but it's okay). If you notice, then on the line there is a "+" sign, it means there is a drop-down list. Thus, you can disable either the entire list or its individual components.

Go ahead. Here you can find more printing services. Again, if the printer is not installed in the system, and the user never prints documents at the home terminal, or sends them to network printers, why is the service turned on? And she, if someone does not know, is "gluttonous" enough. You can also remove the XPS document viewer, if the user with this type does not work, and so on.

However, this is just a couple of basic examples. As already mentioned, depending on which version of the system, and even its modification is installed on a computer terminal or laptop, the lists of services can vary very much. It's enough to compare the same "operating systems" Windows 7 Home and Ultimate, not to mention the difference between the "seven", "eight" and "ten".

For all systems, there is a single rule: after turning on or off any component, the computer must be rebooted for the changes to take effect (the system itself will offer to do this while saving the changes).

Network components

As for the network components, then to them the usual user who has no idea what they are for is better not to climb at all. Basically, this is a different kind of administration tools and protocols for connecting to networks or the Internet, as well as some security features. For obvious reasons, what and how it works or what it is used for, we will not analyze it - it will not say anything to the average user anyway. So let's leave this question for system administrators.

Should I disable unused services?

What are the components of the OS, we have already figured out. It remains to add a few words about the advisability of enabling or disabling a particular component. Of course, unused services can be disabled and necessary. But you just do it only if you know exactly which service you are trying to disconnect, otherwise you will not have problems later.