Task manager-close running programs

[ang]

Have windows xp -when bringing up Task manager
(ctrl+alt+del) There is only my ISP listed under
the 'Applications" list shown so that I cannot close any
running programs or 'end task' here.
Under "Processes" it shows all of the running programs &
gives the option "exit process" at bottom which brings
up a warning & I'm not sure that this takes the place
of 'end task'-(end task is greyed out & not an option)
I'm not sure of what to do here in order to be able to
close running programs prior to disc clean, defrag, etc.
Appreciate your help...ang

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

Have windows xp -when bringing up Task manager
(ctrl+alt+del) There is only my ISP listed under
the 'Applications" list shown so that I cannot close any
running programs or 'end task' here.
Under "Processes" it shows all of the running programs &
gives the option "exit process" at bottom which brings
up a warning & I'm not sure that this takes the place
of 'end task'-(end task is greyed out & not an option)

The "Applications" tab does not list all of the programs, specially
those which run in the background usually only can be found on the
"Processes" tab. You can safely exit processes when you are sure what
the actual process is and that you do not lose unsaved data when you
exit it now.