i have a severe problem. whenever i use connect option and get connected to internet, data starts to downloaded automatically. i fear some programmes are running in the background unnoticedd. how can i stop this so that i can save my banwidh and hence money?
Welcome Bhasphys to the windows 7 forums.
What you can do is to see what programs are loading when you boot. you can run msconfig in the run window as administrator and there are options to see what is starting when you boot.
Many programs like your Anti-Virus and such check for updates when you boot to make sure that you have the latest version and updates.
There are other programs, most free that will let you see what programs are starting up when you boot your computer.
I use a program called startupinspector to check and uncheck programs that startup when I boot.
Search on startupinspector with google.
Rich
There is this little thing known as a "Handshake".
Link: What is handshake in computer language
Many apps will also periodically check for updates unless you disable this in their options.
And of course, then there's Windows Update...
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