For a Safer, faster XP Close Unwanted Services

To disable unneeded startup services for a safer, faster XP, use the "Services" Admin Tool (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services). If you are a single user of a non-networked machine, you can disable the following items, with no ill effect. 

Alerter  
Clipbook 
Computer Browser 
Fast User Switching 
Human Interface Access Devices 
Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down) 
Messenger 
Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain) 
Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security) 
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security) 
Remote Procedure Call Locator 
Remote Registry (disabled for extra security) 
Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security) 
Server 
SSDP Discovery Service (this is for the utterly pointless "Universal P'n'P", & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open) 
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper 
Telnet (disabled for extra security) 
Universal Plug and Play Device Host 
Upload Manager 
Windows Time 
Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks) 
Workstation