Questions with this tag should include the Operating System, as different services may act differently on different systems. The services can include File Sharing, Network access, or just updaters.
For Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008 and 7, you can access the services that start automatically through the SERVICES.MSC Microsoft Management Console applet. This is usually accessed by pressing Windows+R to bring up the Run dialog, then typing services.msc and pressing Enter.
DISABLED means the service is unavailable to users and processes, and must be enabled with the services.msc applet
MANUAL means the service can be controlled by the application, or another process requesting it. It may not automatically start up, unless another service or program requests access to it.
AUTOMATIC and AUTOMATIC (Delayed) means the service will run automatically on system boot, and can be configured by any program with access to it.
