Too Many Running Processes

[J3st3r]

Hey guys,

I currently have 86 processes running on my Windows XP Media Edition.  I have a feeling that is WAY too many.  Does anyone have any advice on how I can figure out which processes are non essential and shut them down?

Thanks,
Matt

[ozzy72]

The easiest way is to get a program called EndItAll (just google it). It is freeware. However it won't let you shutdown essential processes. A good way of learning your system processes and it also tells you what they're doing. You might want to configure your bootup so that not so many processes start running without permission. Personally I use EasyClean (again freeware, google it) and you can edit the startup very easily using that as it tells you what things are what and then you don't have unnecessary processes firing up on booting
These are two excellent programs to help you get to know your system better 8-)

[J3st3r]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I will try those programs and see how it works out.

Matt

[Mermaid Man]

86? On XP? A trimmed down XP should have 20-30 processes.

[J3st3r]

Just got done using EndItAll and am down to 75 processes.  Anymore suggestions or ideas?

Matt

[Mermaid Man]

I'd run spybot (update) No way should you have that many processes on a XP machine. Take a screenshot of task manager, processes. Maximize the window to show them all.

[J3st3r]

Here they are.  Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Matt

http://www.putfile.com/pic/7865827

http://www.putfile.com/pic/7865828

[Mermaid Man]

The image is unreadable.

[machineman9]

I always say that it is only too many when it starts to hurt your system. I remember someone saying that certain OSs should only run a certain number of processes, but if it isnt causing slow downs, then it probably isnt a problem.

I run up to and about 95 processes in general or animationey type use.

[Wii]

You really shouldn't have more than 35 processes running. I have 28 running...but I am also running a ton of things and haven't turned off my computer for 12 hours...vista.

[aussiewannabe]

Since we're on the subject of too many running processes (and to avoid asking the same question twice in the forum) these processes are currently running on my system:

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/TaskManager1.jpg
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/TaskManager2.jpg

Also crss.exe, smss.exe, dllhost.exe, System, and System Idle Process SYSTEM

I might add that I've followed Nick's recommendations and had the list down to 38 at one point. The only three I've turned back on is the three required for Windows updates.

[Slotback]

Here's mine:

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/v ... ndapps.jpg

about a minute later:
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/v ... psnone.jpg

:)

In my opinion, no matter what amount of background services you're running, try to clean your computer out. 80 or even 45 is WAAAAY to much. Even too much for a Dell with all the POS software that comes with it.

Try downloading Spybot search and destroy, ad-aware, and a good anti-virus system (AVG? Nod32 for a trial though...) and eliminate all viruses. You can also google processes then stop them from starting up..... ---->start---->run----->msconfig. Go into startup tab and disable the programs that you don't need. ---->start--->run--->services.msc---->disable any background services you don't need, set to manual so you have to manually start it up. Only do it if you're 100% sure on what it does, ending the wrong one... e.g. Windows audio, can disable your sound.

*Note, disabling the wrong services can potentially mess up your computer. Nick posted the services that should be OK to disable and also how to disable recource hogging performance logs - It's in one of the fsx forum stickies.



You can also disable things by using the registry;;

http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.co ... 34,00.html

I only flicked through it as that's the only link I have, but it's probably best to read it up more rather than following that guys advice straight off the bat.



I've heard unticking programs in msconfig only stops them from being started up - but they're still loaded into memory. I don't know if this is true or not, but some registry edits and a registry cleaner SHOULD clean that up - I don't know since I havn't installed lots of junk onto my computer.

[Wii]

Here's mine:

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/v ... ndapps.jpg

about a minute later:
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/v ... psnone.jpg

:)

In my opinion, no matter what amount of background services you're running, try to clean your computer out. 80 or even 45 is WAAAAY to much. Even too much for a Dell with all the POS software that comes with it.

Try downloading Spybot search and destroy, ad-aware, and a good anti-virus system (AVG? Nod32 for a trial though...) and eliminate all viruses. You can also google processes then stop them from starting up..... ---->start---->run----->msconfig. Go into startup tab and disable the programs that you don't need. ---->start--->run--->services.msc---->disable any background services you don't need, set to manual so you have to manually start it up. Only do it if you're 100% sure on what it does, ending the wrong one... e.g. Windows audio, can disable your sound.

*Note, disabling the wrong services can potentially mess up your computer. Nick posted the services that should be OK to disable and also how to disable recource hogging performance logs - It's in one of the fsx forum stickies.



You can also disable things by using the registry;;

http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.co ... 34,00.html

I only flicked through it as that's the only link I have, but it's probably best to read it up more rather than following that guys advice straight off the bat.



I've heard unticking programs in msconfig only stops them from being started up - but they're still loaded into memory. I don't know if this is true or not, but some registry edits and a registry cleaner SHOULD clean that up - I don't know since I havn't installed lots of junk onto my computer.

Hehehehehe....
Click the "Show Processes for all users button"

[Slotback]

I have one user account on this computer so clicking that made no change.

btw, the first screenshot was how it normally is, the second was after I ended everything, including all the background services resulting in a unusable PC.

[aussiewannabe]

I hope the individual who posted the original thread has success reducing the number of processes he has.

As for myself, my startup is now 5, down from 8. Running processes is now 34, down from 41.