[flingwings67]

I know this has probably been beaten to death but can anyone tell me what processes are safe to remove? When one pulls up the task manager and the process tab shows a laundry list of processes running, how do we determine what is necessary to remove (given the spy ware catcher and anti-virus stuff are doing their thing), what is safe to remove for increasing processor capacity, and most important, what is not safe to remove (a legit windows exe file for example)? It's running windows XP home with all updates on a Gateway Pent. III-800 (yeah but can't get my wife to give it up). She has been using the Yahoo free antivirus and Ad-aware anti-spy.


We are concerned about security since we do have financial info on this computer and she does not turn it off (long story about that).

[bunk]

I myself would hate to attempt to tell which processes, or services to alter on your computer. Here is a place that will help you identify what many of them are, and what they do. This might help you determine whats best for your machine: http://www.answersth...es/tasklist.htm Good luck with it.........

[FenderGuy2112]

Hi flingwings67,

You can just google your current processes... you'll find virtually any process imaginable; each with it's own description, and if it is okay to deactivate them.



FenderGuy2112

[Flashorn]

Hey Fling! I would have to echo "bunk's" reply.But, there are a few applications that could help you in your decision making process. First, "WinPatrol" is primarily a security app. With it you can view what is running on your PC and disable any process. You will see at the bottom of the app. 5 buttons. Info , Add , Remove , Disable , Close. Now if you are uncertain if a task is necessary simply click on the INFO button and a browser window will open and bring you to WinPatrol's site explaining the process in question. Be very careful not to disable a process needed for the OS. By the way this App. is free , but there is a Pay For version. http://www.winpatrol.com/ ,here is the address. Please visit the site to learn more. Now the second Application is called, S I W , by Gabriel Topola. This one is more comprehensive as far as information of your PC . It will give you ALL the info on your system, but is not a security App. Here is the address , http://www.gtopala.com/. Between these two Application you should be able to decide and more importantly learn about the running processes your machine

About your security, you did not mention having a Firewall!. This is just as important as having antivirus/antispyware on your PC.

Firewall: Comodo ,

http://www.comodo.com/

ZoneAlarm ,
http://www.zonealarm.com
AVG AntiSpyware ,
http://free.grisoft.com/


SuperAntiSpyware ,

http://www.superantispyware.com/


FLASHORN.

[LincolnSpector]

A couple of years ago, I looked at and was impressed by a free program called the QuickLink InfoBar. I haven't looked at it since, so please take my recommendation with a grain of salt.


It's basically a task manager add-in that gives every process an information button that leads to Processlibrary.com's reference pages. Of course, as an always-on add-in, it's another unneccisary process, itself. So I recommend you turn off it's autoloading setting and load it manually when you need it.

You can download it from http://www.processli....com/quicklink.



Lincoln

[Knifeblade]

Lincoln may know the writer and the link better, but there was an article in last month's PCW {I think last month, gave the mag. to a friend, and of course it never comes back, LOL}, by a Paul with a find.# link, that has a list of processes that might be safely poofed.

[LincolnSpector]

Sorry, but I can't place it. I can't think of a PCW writer named Paul or of such an article. I'll see if I can find it.

Lincoln

[Knifeblade]

I wish I could get more specific, but if we can find it, it may help the OP's query.

There was a mention of paul in an article, but I don't know the find.#. PCW did have alink to him in a member email, but I know that's vague, too. I di visit the site, and it may be helpful, sorry guys but I can't link to it.

[thedcsguy]

I use the free program titled "Whatsrunning" which shows all the info associated with a process as well as services, startup options, modules, and can make coffee. You can use it in place of taskmanager and by default shows the processes in parent/child order.

[thedcsguy]

Please consider this post as a continuation of the previous reply.

A link for "Whatsrunning" is included here: http://tinyurl.com/4z4v3t