Problem: Windows XP auto-dials the Internet

Problem

Windows XP is dialling the Internet automatically, and you want to stop it from doing so.

You have disabled Microsoft Update, the MS Works update, and the Internet time-synchronisation feature. However, there are two features of XP that auto-dial the Internet that you don't know how to disable - the Search Assistant that wants to access the Internet every time you search for a file - and the Help and Support Center that wants to access the MS Knowledge Base whenever you want to access the local Help files.

Answers

The programmers who designed Windows XP obviously designed it with broadband Internet access (that is permanently connected) in mind. Unfortunately, they probably stopped using dial-up connections a long time ago, and consequently have neglected to consider the effects that their programming has with such connections.

The first action to be taken would be to update the system by installing the Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). (Note that SP2 is expected to be released in mid 2004.) This rectifies many bugs in the XP Search tool.

As for the Help and Support Center, click Options => Search Options, and disable the option to search the MS Knowledge Base (KB).

You cannot use the Internet-based Help features, but you will be able to use the local Help facility, which is vastly improved compared to the Help available in Windows 9.x systems. You should find that XP's Help facility is genuinely helpful. But disabling that option will make it more difficult to search the KB.

Note that you can also disable services either from Control Panel => Administrative Tools => Services, or simply by entering services.msc in the Start => Run box.

To disable a service, right-click on it and click Properties and change the Start-Up Type to Disabled. It's not sufficient just to stop the service because it will start up again on the next time the system is booted.

Note that there are many services that could be running in the background. These consume RAM and processor cycles, and several of them have the ability to auto-dial the Internet.

Users who are not on a corporate network can safely disable the following list of services. Not all of them are installed by default on the Home edition of Windows XP. Users on a corporate network should consult with their IT department before disabling any services.

For more information on these services, visit Windows XP Home and Professional Service Configurations here. -

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Or here - http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm

Obtain the XP Services Guide here -

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/winxp_services/index.shtml

Below is a list of some of the services that are probably unnecessary for most users to run:

Alerter

Application Layer Gateway Service

Application Management

Automatic Updates

Background Intelligent Transfer

Clipbook

Distributed Link Tracking Client

Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Error reporting Service

Fast User Switching Compatibility

Help and Support

IMAPI CD-Burning

Indexing Service

IPSEC Services

Messenger

Net Logon

Netmeeting

Remote Desktop Sharing

Network DDE

Network DDE DSDM

Portable Media Serial Number

QoS RSVP

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager

Remote Registry

Secondary Logon

Smartcard

Smartcard Helper

SSDP Discovery Service

Telnet Themes

Uninterruptible Power Supply

Universal Plug and Play Device Host

Upload Manager

Webclient

Wireless Zero Configuration

WMI Performance Adapter

Others that might not be needed are:

Computer Browser ( shows computers on the local network)

Internet Connection Firewall

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Network Connections

Network Location Awareness (required for ICS)

Remote Connection Access Manager (required for ICS)

Removable Storage Server (for file and printer sharing)

System Restore Service

Terminal Services (for remote connections)

Windows Image Acquisition (for cameras, scanners, etc.)

Windows Time (sets the Windows clock from the Internet)