Removing Unwanted Startup Files or Services in Debian

Under Debian Linux startup files are stored in /etc/init.d/ directory and symbolic linked between /etc/rcX.d/ directory exists. Debian Linux uses System V initialization scripts to start services at boot time from /etc/rcX.d/ directory. Debian Linux comes with different utilities to remove unwanted startup file:

(A) rcconf

This tool configures system services in connection with system runlevels. It turns on/off services using the scripts in /etc/init.d/. Rcconf works with System-V style runlevel configuration. It is a TUI(Text User Interface) frontend to the update-rc.d command.

Install rcconf in Debian

#apt-get install rcconf

To start rconf, login as root user and type rcconf

# rcconf

Select the service you would like to enable or disable.

(B) sysv-rc-conf

sysv-rc-conf provides a terminal GUI for managing "/etc/rc{runlevel}.d/" symlinks. The interface comes in two different flavors, one that simply allows turning services on or off and another that allows for more fine tuned management of the symlinks. Unlike most runlevel config programs, you can edit startup scripts for any runlevel, not just your current one.

Install sysv-rc-conf in debian

#apt-get install sysv-rc-conf

This will install sysv-rc-conf.Now you need to run the following command

# sysv-rc-conf

Select the service you would like to enable or disable.

Both sysv-rc-conf and rcconf are best tools to use on Remote Debian Linux or when GUI is not available

You can also use update-rc.d script as follows (update-rc.d removes any links in the /etc/rcX.d directories to the script /etc/init.d/service):

# update-rc.d -f {SERVICE-NAME} remove

For example to stop xinetd service you can type command as follows:

# update-rc.d -f xinetd remove