New
#1
Why is the "Remote Desktop Services" service on?
Remote Desktop Services service description:
"Allows users to connect interactively to a remote computer. Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Session Host Server depend on this service. To prevent remote use of this computer, clear the checkboxes on the Remote tab of the System properties control panel item."
The service Startup Type on my computer is "Manual" and the Status is "Started".
What I would like to know is why. Under the "Remote" tab of system properties, I already had made certain to have Remote Assistance unchecked, so my computer should not be available for remote use.
Is the reason this service is started because my computer is connecting to the internet, thus to some server of which I do have some permissions of functional manipulation, like, for instance, starting this topic, or searching a search engine, downloading a file, etcetera?
Having read the Wikipedia entry on the service, as well as much of the Microsoft Technet overview, I might have thought the service was on in case I needed to run a RemoteApp that was located on some other server on the internet that used a Windows Server OS or some other OS with similar functional capability, or possibly that it was on so that my computer could check for updates from Microsoft for the OS or possibly updates for various third party applications on a Windows OS operated server, but, I have all of the auto-update functionality of my third party apps disabled, as best I can tell. Regardless, if what I have said above was a main reason for the service to be on, I would think it should have a Startup Type of Automatic.
Having looked at blackviper.com, he doesn't have any additional information on the service, and all the services that must be functioning for this service to function are services that are automatically started and should not be turned off typically. That said, of the services he has listed that require this service to run, one, Media Center Extender Service, is a service I have disabled--its default--as I have no need for it in the foreseeable future, and the other, Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector, I don't even appear to have. Now, by its description, I don't have use for it, but I do wonder why I don't have it.
Anyway, I am in over my head as far as understanding the nature, use, and reason this service might be on. I don't want to just turn it off, as I imagine the service has a legitimate reason to be on--I try to protect my computer well, and have not yet had a scan that showed any malware on my computer since I built it over a month and a half ago so I don't assume it is on illegitimately. As well, I don't make a habit of screwing with services until I fully understand their purpose.
So, I would like to know why it is on, or at least legitimate reasons why it would be on, or if there is good reason to be concerned that it is on.
Edit--Assuming it serves some general purpose when connected to the internet, I suppose it might have a Startup Type of "Manual" because you would not need it started if you had your network interface solution disabled or disconnected.
Last edited by KantversusHume; 07 Feb 2010 at 00:51. Reason: adding to content