Task Manager Processes

[and4545]

I would like some advise on task manager and the processes that open with it!

I regularly have 50+ running even though I only have a handful of programs running.  Usually IE, Outlook, Word, Excel and maybe one or two others.

Is there a rule of thumb on what is needed or not?

Is there a software tool that can be used to control these processes?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
and4545

[guestolo]

This would be up to you to track down what you need running on startup

But I can give you some links to help you out

To track down what programs you don't need on startup
First look within a program itself to disable it

Use these links also to see what you need or don't need
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pa...es/tasklist.htm
http://computercops.biz/modules.php?name=StartupList

To see what processes you don't need running
check out Black Vipers site
Careful, he likes to recommend disabling System Restore
I like to keep it enabled
but he does give other great recommendations
http://www.blackviper.com/
Look at his SAFE settings
You can change your settings in
START>>RUN>>type in services.msc

To control programs on startup
Tasklists recommends the Ultimate Troubleshooter
You won't need it
I don't like using msconfig, instead you can use this free utility
A small download
Codestuff's Starter

Take care http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

[guestolo]

Forgot to mention
It's always a good idea to run a DiskDefragment on your system once in awhile
with XP's  builtin tool

And make sure to clean out those temp folders once in awhile

Another great utility to help clean your temp folders,cookies, prefetch folder, etc...
Windows Cleanup
A small download, once it's installed
I like restarting into safe mode
Open it up and click the CleanUp button
Let it finish scanning, could take a bit if temp folders aren't regularly cleaned out

When prompted to log off
Simply restart back to Normal Mode

Keep the standard cleanup in the OPTIONS
But after the first scan you can uncheck Prefetch and just clean this folder every couple of months
Run cleanup on a regular basis, every couple of weeks