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Disable non-essential services

Overview​

About this category

This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This category contains scripts designed to enhance privacy by disabling system services that are not essential for your operating system's core functions.

A Windows service is a program that runs in the background, automatically starting and operating without direct user interaction, even when no user is logged in 1.

Disabling these services, especially those transmitting data to external parties or running unseen, significantly reduces the risk of unwanted data exposure.

Taking these proactive steps is crucial for minimizing privacy risks and improving your system's security.

Caution: Mixed Risk Levels

Be careful running these scripts. This category includes scripts with high impact:

  • 🔴 Some not recommended scripts. They should only be used by advanced users. They may break important functionality.
  • 🟡 Some recommended scripts only if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this this category.
  • 🟢 Some safely recommended scripts. Safe-to use for any user.
Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Scripts Count: 12 scripts

  • Subcategories: 2

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: All changes can be reverted

Apply now​

These scripts are written using Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Choose one of two ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

It allows selectively choose parts of this action to conduct. You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application. Additionally, you can apply only the recommended scripts, instead of applying all of the scripts.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the category name: Disable non-essential services.
  3. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

You can choose to apply only scripts with less impact or also those with higher impact:

Standard

Recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

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Strict

Recommended if you understand its implications. It may cause some non-critical features to no longer function correctly.

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All

Not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. It provides military-grade privacy, for special use-cases. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

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Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.

Reversible

This action is completely reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

Standard​

This script includes only Standard recommendation level.

Safe for General Use

Standard scripts in this category is recommended for all users. They help to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Download only standard scripts by clicking on the button:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Strict​

This script includes Standard and Strict recommendation levels.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand their implications of every single change. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Download Strict scripts:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

All​

This script includes Standard, Strict recommendation levels along with unrecommended scripts.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. Some of these changes are NOT recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Download all scripts:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Explore further​

This category includes total of 12 scripts and 2 subcategories.

Explore its 7 subscripts and 2 subcategories:

Disable Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant (breaks Microsoft Store and Microsoft Account sign-in)

This script disables the Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant ("wlidsvc") service. This service helps users sign in with their Microsoft account, giving access to Microsoft's services and apps. This service connects with Microsoft's cloud for authentication. Formerly known as the "Microsoft Windows Live ID Service", it supported sign-ins for applications such as Office and Windows Live Messenger. Currently, it uses Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure AD) as identity service. It's used to facilita...

Disable Microsoft Retail Demo

This script disables the Microsoft Retail Demo ("RetailDemo") service. This service is used to control device activity when the device is in retail demo mode. For personal use, this service is generally redundant, and disabling it strengthens privacy. By turning off this service, you prevent the potential misuse of demo content and settings, ensuring that your device operates under standard conditions without unnecessary exposure to retail demo features. Overview of default service statuses ...

Disable Windows Push Notifications

This script disables the Windows Push Notification Service (WNS), including the "WpnService" and "WpnUserService". WNS enables third-party developers to send notifications (toast, tile, badge, and raw updates) from their cloud services. However, this service raises privacy concerns: user data. This delivers both local and push notifications to your device. Wikipedia (uncited). It relies on connections to Microsoft cloud servers, potentially exposing • It may bypass VPN protections and expose you...

Disable Shadow Copy (breaks System Restore and Windows Backup)

This script disables the Shadow Copy service, known also as the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) or Volume Snapshot Service. This service is integral for system backups and data snapshots. It allows for data recovery and system restore points. Introduced with Windows Server 2003, VSS facilitates backups and system restores without needing to take applications offline. It creates a consistent snapshot of data for backup, supporting functions like archiving, data mining, and disk-to-disk b...

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Remove bloatware category. This category configures Windows using 215 scripts. These scripts are organized in 35 categories. The category includes 1 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

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