Identifying processes

[JimL]

I'm trying to get at some of the things I don't like about my system.

Is there anything, any web site, any book I can use to identify processes?
I see cryptic names not only on processes but in msconfig, for instance, and
I have no clue what they are related to. Especially in msconfig (and
related starters) I think I might be able dispense with some ongoing
operations (processes?) that I have no interest in or need of. But the
cryptic nature of all those entries is maddening.

JimL

 

[Malke]

I'm trying to get at some of the things I don't like about my system.

Is there anything, any web site, any book I can use to identify processes?
I see cryptic names not only on processes but in msconfig, for instance,
and
I have no clue what they are related to. Especially in msconfig (and
related starters) I think I might be able dispense with some ongoing
operations (processes?) that I have no interest in or need of. But the
cryptic nature of all those entries is maddening.

Here are a some links, but you can always plug the name of the Mystery
Process into a Google search. Google is always my first stop.

http://aumha.org/a/loads.htm - What loads at Startup?
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/
http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/search.php

Malke

 

[John John (MVP)]

You might find these to be useful:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.runscanner.net/

John

 

[JS]

Try Autoruns from the MS Windows SysInternals site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Autoruns.mspx

AutoRuns will show/list all apps/etc. that load/run when you first boot ...
(the 'Boot Execute' tab),
when you logon (the 'Logon' tab) and other programs that load
(grouped by labeled tabs) for easy viewing.

It also provides the ability to selectively allows you to stop
(use with care) any program that you don't want to load.
You can undo any changes you have made.

Note: To get additional details on an item in the list you can't
readily identify you may need to highlight the item (right click) and use
the 'Search Online' option to get the details,
especially useful for the more obscure items in the list.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

[jch]

Nice tip. I'd never known about this program.

Try Autoruns from the MS Windows SysInternals site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Autoruns.mspx

AutoRuns will show/list all apps/etc. that load/run when you first
boot ... (the 'Boot Execute' tab),
when you logon (the 'Logon' tab) and other programs that load
(grouped by labeled tabs) for easy viewing.

It also provides the ability to selectively allows you to stop
(use with care) any program that you don't want to load.
You can undo any changes you have made.

Note: To get additional details on an item in the list you can't
readily identify you may need to highlight the item (right click) and
use the 'Search Online' option to get the details,
especially useful for the more obscure items in the list.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com