nimble

Thanks again. I found that I need to keep "DHCP Client" to keep my internet connection since I'm on a local network. And I have to keep "Network Store Interface Service" or else it kills "DHCP Client." And I was blocked from turning off "Security Accounts Manager" which is running even though I have it set as disabled. "Task Scheduler" is similarly protected although I can't even change its setting. And it being unkillable seems to keep "Windows Event Log" from being turned off.

Thanks. I turned it on and back in my control panel now. What's UAC? And I'd love to hear what your ideal 16 services are. Best, Nimble

Score one for the haters! I'm a loyal tweaker myself. And I still believe in tweaking. (My biggest disapointment in Vista is in how much control they've taken away and oversimplified, like defragging. Sure streamline the GUI, but give up an advanced tab to get back to those controls.) But I turned off all the services recomended and have some funny behavior now. The control panel won't open anymore. And in the start menu my documents folder and others still cascade, but 'control panel' says it's empty. What did I do? I'm going through and turning things back on to try to fix it now. But I can't go to a restore point short of moving files from DOS. I'm sure I turned off just one service too many. Anybody have an idea which needle I need in that haystack? Thanks. -Nimble (Yes, I feel foolish. And you can say "I told you so.")