Start
About
FAQ
Blogroll
Shop
This service controls the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), which is responsible for Aero (transparent windows, etc). Without this service, you won’t have Aero effects. DWM consumes a fair amount of RAM which increases with each window you have open (open 30 IE windows and you’ll likely exceed 100MB) as well as CPU (mine typically bounces between 0% and 3% every couple seconds, but with a large amount of windows can go much higher). You can temporarily disable this one (and Aero) from a command window with adminstrator rights by typing net stop uxsms (type net start usxms to turn it back on). If you want to save memory and CPU, and are willing to sacrifice the Aero visual effects, you can safely disable this service.
Display Name:
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
Service Name:
UxSms
Process Name:
svchost.exe
Description:
Provides Desktop Window Manager startup and maintenance services.
Path to Executable:
%windir%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
Default Startup:
- Home Basic: Automatic
- Home Premium: Automatic
- Business: Automatic
- Enterprise: Automatic
- Ultimate: Automatic
Log On As:
Local System Account
Desktop Interaction:
No
Depends On:
None
Required For:
None
Memory:
N/A
CPU:
N/A
Do you know something about this service that I don't? Please leave a comment below so I, and everyone else reading this, can benefit from your knowledge!
Digg
Mixx
Propeller
Slashdot
Stumble
Tips and Tricks
Windows Updates
Hotfixes
Keyboard Shortcuts
Vista's Services
Vista's Commands
Product Reviews
Glossary
Videos
Web Links
Comments
Cameron
Feb 20, 2008 at 9:44 pm
On my Dell laptop, some time ago the UxSms service stopped working. Any time I attempt to start it, I get an error 998: invalid access to memory location. Do you have any idea what might cause this error? I tried looking through the Event Viewer without finding anything useful. Google has not been helpful in this case either. Thanks!
Leave a Comment