Background Processes

[Maggot Dream]

I know that having tons of background processes running slows down the computer, and I have about 50 running at any given time.

Does anyone know a good way of permanently removing the bad ones without buying a $50 program?

I'd prefer not to go into the registry, but if it's the only way, I'll do it. Thanks in advance.

[Krabsworth]

ctrl-alt-delete-processes-than just click stuff for a little bit.

[Maggot Dream]

ctrl-alt-delete-processes-than just click stuff for a little bit.
I did say permanent. Whenever I do that, the processes just return.

[Kithkin]

Start->Setting->Ctrl Pannel

Add/Remove Programs


Start there.

[angry armadillo]

start -> run -> msconfig -> startup tab -> google any files you dont recognise before you stop them from starting up

[Klown]

start -> run -> msconfig -> startup tab -> google any files you dont recognise before you stop them from starting up
Good idea.

You don't want to go stopping any important system processes from running.

[Gnarmageddon]

start -> run -> msconfig -> startup tab -> google any files you dont recognise before you stop them from starting up
I did that a while back and it made my computer run sooo much faster.

[Maggot Dream]

Great, I'll try those out. Thanks.



EDIT: That got rid of some of them, but there were nowhere near 50 processes listed there. Anything else I should try?

[incubliss]

The only thing you can really do is the MSCONFIG process. It's monotonous, but worth it in the end when you have them all stopped.

[Maggot Dream]

Ok, thanks. Just wanted to avoid buying an expensive program, and this seems to have worked.

[bobby__johnny]

msconfig is the way to go. all you really need to do in there (if your running XP) is to disable all, and click your AV and firewall on

[Benzum]

I did that a while back and it made my computer run sooo much faster.

Same here, and I believe it was you who gave me that information....well I read it in a thread :p

[Alive]

start -> run -> msconfig -> startup tab -> google any files you dont recognise before you stop them from starting up

Thankyou:)

this is taking ages though, and I have a party to go to. :(

Crap, just found a mass mailer virus.

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Umm odds are most of those processes are important, so do some research on them before terminating them.

[Liberi Fatali]

Umm odds are most of those processes are important, so do some research on them before terminating them. Most of them are probably worthless, there are very few that are actually needed.

Here is a list of startup applications (http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php) with information about each one. I'd recommend just using the search function on that website, as trying to find it manually can take an age.

The last time I cleaned my startup applications I disabled pretty much 3/4 of them. I believe it has made a slight difference too in relation to performance.

[bobby__johnny]

makes your startup times faster if you had a lot in your system tray to begin with.

if you hit disable all on your startup tab, and restart, your computer should not have any issues

any wireless input devices are still running, and your volume control should be the only one viewable.

[JohnXDoe]

I know that having tons of background processes running slows down the computer, and I have about 50 running at any given time.

Does anyone know a good way of permanently removing the bad ones without buying a $50 program?

I'd prefer not to go into the registry, but if it's the only way, I'll do it. Thanks in advance.

I have 30 processes running in my tree. I had 59 when I first got the computer. And I didn't have anything on it then. Just the junk that was pre-installed and AOL. If your computer comes with this kind of pre loaded software you really have to be good at managing it.

I have a ton of stuff on my computer now, yet run half the processes I used to. First thing to do is keep them from starting up with your computer. And don't give them permission to when they ask. A good program for this is MS Anti-Spyware. If you don't already have it or something like it. It allows you to block programs at start up. You just have to remember to check it everytime you shutdown. Because some things Windows allows automatically. But it does a good job

Learn about the background programs you need and the ones you don't. And everytime you add a peice of software see what's new on your computer in Task Manager. Lot's of programs like to make a big deal of starting with your computer. But you don't need them to. And if the file names are confusing, here's a good website to help you understand your processes:

http://www.answersthatwork.com/

Just click on "Task List" and use the alphabet list. It's simple. It'll help you learn what is essential and what is not. And what is best not messed with.

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Programs like anti-virus have numerous processes and assuming you want that working you need them running, so google every process to be postive of what it does.