PC speed boost: You can disable these services without breaking anything
Is your computer stuck in sloth mode? It could run slowly due to programs you don’t even need.
Windows 10 comes pre-loaded with many unnecessary functions that can be safely disabled to boost your PC’s speed. Like your cell phone, unused programs constantly run in the background and drag down your processor.
If you want to speed things up, one solution is to disable unwanted programs. Here are five services you can safely turn off in Windows 10 to give your PC a much-needed speed boost.
1. Turn off the Print Spooler
When was the last time you printed something directly from your computer? Even if it’s been a while, the print spooler is still running in the background and eating up processing power.
If you can’t remember the last time you printed something and have no plans to print soon, go ahead and give your print spooler the ax.
How to turn off the print spooler:
- Hold down the Windows button + R.
- Type in services.msc and hit Enter.
- Scroll down and double-click on Print Spooler.
- Change the Startup Type to Disabled.
- Click Apply.
- Under the tab for Service Status, click Stop.
- Click OK and close the window.
2. Shut down fax services
Fax services are just about as antiquated as a dial-up internet connection. If this is something you aren’t likely to need any time soon, you can safely go ahead and disable it.
How to shut off fax services:
- Hold down the Windows button + R.
- Type in services.msc and hit Enter.
- Scroll down and double-click on Fax.
- Change the Startup Type to Disabled.
- Click Apply.
- Under the tab for Service Status, click Stop.
- Click OK and close the window.
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Updated 7/19/2021 – Microsoft issued a patch a few weeks ago to fix a flaw known as PrintNightmare that impacts Windows Print Spooler. Unfortunately, another new flaw with the Print Spooler has been discovered that isn’t addressed by the patch. You may want to go ahead and disable the Print Spooler until Microsoft has an update that actually works. Keep reading for steps to disable the Print Spooler.