This service is required for Database functionality.

I too wondered why the service could not be set to Manual Mode instead of launching when requested by the editor. I suspect the answer is due to the amount of data that must be processed and readily available to the editor as well as the fact that SQLLite database engine that is used under the covers.

It can be turned off but you MUST start it prior to launching PEPv2.

On XP, you can turn this service off via the Service Control Panel. Start->Run->services.msc