General Information
This service is used to transfer asynchronous data via HTTP 1.1 servers. BITS “continues” a download when you log back in after you log off or shutdown the system during a download. You may require this service for some, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Media Player or future .NET or Live functions.
Windows 8
Default Description
Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is disabled, then any applications that depend on BITS, such as Windows Update or MSN Explorer, will be unable to automatically download programs and other information.
Additional Information
This service is used to transfer asynchronous data via HTTP 1.1 servers. BITS “continues” a download when you log back in after you log off or shutdown the system during a download. You may require this service for some, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Media Player or future .NET or Live functions.
Automatic Update still requires Windows Update, Cryptographic Services, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and Windows Event Log to be running. Place all four in automatic if you do not wish to update manually. In addition, I recommend that you change the default time of 3 AM, for the automatic checking of updates, to a time when the system is “normally” on. Otherwise, Windows Update will check upon boot which may slow down the boot process.
Default Startup Type
| OS | SP0 |
|---|---|
| Windows 8 x86 | Manual (Stopped at boot, Started when needed) |
| Windows 8 x64 | Manual (Stopped at boot, Started when needed) |
| Windows 8 Pro x86 | Manual (Stopped at boot, Started when needed) |
| Windows 8 Pro x64 | Manual (Stopped at boot, Started when needed) |
| Windows 8 Enterprise x86 | Manual (Stopped at boot, Started when needed) |
| Windows 8 Enterprise x64 | Manual (Stopped at boot, Started when needed) |
Service Names
Service Name (registry): BITS
Display Name: Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Default Path and Command Line Options
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Log On As
Account: Local System account
Dependencies
Note: No dependencies are listed for any service in the WDP build I used to draft this information.
Windows 7
Default Description
Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is disabled, then any applications that depend on BITS, such as Windows Update or MSN Explorer, will be unable to automatically download programs and other information.
Additional Information
This service is used to transfer asynchronous data via HTTP 1.1 servers. BITS “continues” a download when you log back in after you log off or shutdown the system during a download. You may require this service for some, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Media Player or future .NET or Live functions.
Automatic Update still requires Windows Update, Cryptographic Services, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and Windows Event Log to be running. Place all four in automatic if you do not wish to update manually. In addition, I recommend that you change the default time of 3 AM, for the automatic checking of updates, to a time when the system is “normally” on. Otherwise, Windows Update will check upon boot which may slow down the boot process.
Default Startup Type
| OS | SP0 | SP1 |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 Starter | Manual | Manual |
| Windows 7 Home Basic | Manual | Manual |
| Windows 7 Home Premium | Manual | Manual |
| Windows 7 Professional | Manual | Manual |
| Windows 7 Ultimate | Manual | Manual |
| Windows 7 Enterprise | Manual | Manual |
Service Names
Service Name (registry): BITS
Display Name: Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Default Path and Command Line Options
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Log On As
Account: Local System account
Dependencies
What service Background Intelligent Transfer Service needs to function properly:
-
COM+ Event System(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
-
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
- RPC Endpoint Mapper (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
-
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
-
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
- RPC Endpoint Mapper (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
What other service require Background Intelligent Transfer Service to function properly:
- None (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
Windows Vista
Default Description
Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is disabled, then any applications that depend on BITS, such as Windows Update or MSN Explorer, will be unable to automatically download programs and other information.
Additional Information
This service is used to transfer asynchronous data via HTTP 1.1 servers. BITS “continues” a download when you log back in after you log off or shutdown the system during a download. You may require this service for some, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Media Player or future .NET or Live functions.
Automatic Update still requires Windows Update, Cryptographic Services, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and Windows Event Log to be running. Place all four in automatic if you do not wish to update manually. In addition, I recommend that you change the default time of 3 AM, for the automatic checking of updates, to a time when the system is “normally” on. Otherwise, Windows Update will check upon boot which may slow down the boot process.
With Windows Vista Retail, this service incorrectly listed Remote Procedure Call (RPC) needing BITS as a dependency. This has been corrected with Service Pack 1.
Default Startup Type
| OS | SP0 | SP1 | SP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Home Basic | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) |
| Vista Home Premium | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) |
| Vista Business | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) |
| Vista Ultimate | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) |
| Vista Enterprise | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) | Automatic (Delayed Start) |
Service Names
Service Name (registry): BITS
Display Name: Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Default Path and Command Line Options
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Log On As
Account: Local System Account
Dependencies
What service Background Intelligent Transfer Service needs to function properly:
-
COM+ Event System(HB, HP, B, U)
-
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(HB, HP, B, U)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher (HB, HP, B, U)
-
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(HB, HP, B, U)
-
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(HB, HP, B, U)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher (HB, HP, B, U)
What other service require Background Intelligent Transfer Service to function properly:
- None (HB, HP, B, U)
Windows XP Pro x64
Default Description
Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is stopped, features such as Windows Update, and MSN Explorer will be unable to automatically download programs and other information. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it may fail to transfer files if they do not have a fail safe mechanism to transfer files directly through IE in case BITS has been disabled.
Additional Information
This service is used to transfer asynchronous data via http1.1 servers. According to Microsoft’s site, Windows Update uses this “feature.” It “continues” a download if you log off or shutdown the system (that is, when you log back in). You may require this service for some MSN Explorer, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player or future .NET functions.
It is very important that if you decide to disable this service, you check the Windows Update Version 6 web site often to ensure the latest patches install properly.
Take note: Manual updates via Windows Update Version 6 web site still requires Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, COM+ Event System, Cryptographic Services, and Event Log to be running. Place all in automatic if you do not wish to update manually. In addition, I recommend that you change the default time of 3AM, for the automatic checking of updates, to a time when the system is “normally” on. Otherwise, Windows Update will check upon boot which may slow down the boot process.
Default Startup Type
| OS | SP0 | SP1 | SP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| XP Pro x64 | ? | ? | Manual |
Service Names
Service Name (registry): BITS
Display Name: Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Default Path and Command Line Options
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Log On As
Account: Local System Account
Dependencies
What service Background Intelligent Transfer Service needs to function properly:
What other service require Background Intelligent Transfer Service to function properly:
- None
Windows XP
Default Description
Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is stopped, features such as Windows Update, and MSN Explorer will be unable to automatically download programs and other information. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it may fail to transfer files if they do not have a fail safe mechanism to transfer files directly through IE in case BITS has been disabled.
Additional Information
This service is used to transfer asynchronous data via http1.1 servers. According to Microsoft’s site, Windows Update uses this “feature.” It “continues” a download if you log off or shutdown the system (that is, when you log back in). You may require this service for some MSN Explorer, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player or future .NET functions.
It is very important that if you decide to disable this service, you check the Windows Update Version 6 web site often to ensure the latest patches install properly.
Take note: Manual updates via Windows Update Version 6 web site still requires Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, COM+ Event System, Cryptographic Services, and Event Log to be running. Place all in automatic if you do not wish to update manually. In addition, I recommend that you change the default time of 3AM, for the automatic checking of updates, to a time when the system is “normally” on. Otherwise, Windows Update will check upon boot which may slow down the boot process.
Default Startup Type
| OS | SP0 | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XP Home | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| XP MCE 2005 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| XP Pro | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| XP Tablet PC 2005 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Service Names
Service Name (registry): BITS
Display Name: Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Default Path and Command Line Options
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Log On As
Account: Local System Account
Dependencies
What service Background Intelligent Transfer Service needs to function properly:
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC) (H, M, P, T)
What other service require Background Intelligent Transfer Service to function properly:
- None (H, M, P, T)
Additional Reading
Windows Update Web Site: https://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx