How Can I Tell Which Processes I Can Turn Off

BruhthaKuga · 03 Sep 2009

I got a serious Hard on, I shouldn't be having performance problems like I do. When I check CPU usage with no apps running what is the blue line? It's at about 65% is that CPU usage? I also see some green at the bottom which seems more like it?

How do I tell which of the processes listed for CPU and RAM that I can not come on at start up. Some of them I know like Paper Port, I don't use it often and only want it on when I am directly using it. Others I don't know what they are.

I believe that some of my performance issues came when I updated my graphics drivers. With a MSI 4670HD whose drivers are best?

SquonkSC · 03 Sep 2009

Blue line is frequency of the cpu.
Your cpu has power save function that adjust frequency when needed.
Green line is cpu usage, which seems pretty nice.
Nothing to worry about.

To know what processes can be excluded from boot, you need to type the filenames unknown to you in Google and research the several answers you get.

Especially look for the comments like process is not needed, or not critical, or not necessary.

Then still be careful, and try to link the given comments to what you know of your machine and installed software/hardware.

If you are confident the startup is not needed, you can disable it.

Then, and this is very important!!!. You disable them one by one.
I mean disable one, and reboot, to see what happens.

This way you will always know which one to re-enable when it goes wrong.

Good luck, and good learning.

greetz

Barman58 · 03 Sep 2009

If I may add one thing to the above excellent potential solution - Rather than disable a service set it's start mode to manual - this will ensure that a service that is not needed will not be started but if you change something in the system that requires the service it will automatically start as required

SquonkSC · 03 Sep 2009

Barman58 said:

If I may add one thing to the above excellent potential solution - Rather than disable a service set it's start mode to manual - this will ensure that a service that is not needed will not be started but if you change something in the system that requires the service it will automatically start as required

Excellent addition, I might add.

Thanks.

PS for the OP:
To go to services and disable them type services.msc in the start->search box
Be extra careful with services. Most are essential.

To disable regular program exe files, type msconfig in the start->search box
and go to startup tab

BruhthaKuga · 04 Sep 2009

You Doodes are Awesome, Thanxabil!

TGSoldier · 04 Sep 2009

Windows 7 Service Configurations by Black Viper

Here's a list you can use ( to tweak your services) for disabling or, as mentioned above, setting services to Manual

Dwarf · 04 Sep 2009

Just a reminder to be extremely careful here. Many, but not all, services are dependant on the running of other service(s). In turn, they affect the operation of yet other service(s).

Before you change the setting of a service from its default, check for any implications this may have on other services. Generally speaking, it is fairly safe to disable those services which don't depend on others and upon which others don't depend.

Nigel's advice here How Can I Tell Which Processes I Can Turn Off is sound advice. For more information, see Services - Start or Disable

If in any doubt, err on the side of caution and leave the service on its default setting.

BruhthaKuga · 05 Sep 2009

I did the msconfig thing and there are some things I don't want to start at startup, if I disable them in msconfig (uncheck the box) am I "Disabling" only the "Automatic Start up" of the program? Will the program still work when called up on manually?

As for the services.msc there also are some things I don't want to start at start up but would like for them to start manually. Cart Le blanc

FZ21Z · 06 Sep 2009

I've just installed x64 and followed the steps at the Black Viper site, with no issues so far.

sabrina · 15 Sep 2009

I recommend you Glary Utlities. Its process manager provide index of the programs' security displaying on the interface, in form of bars of red and green. The longer the red bar is, the less secure to run it and the less necessary to let it start up with PC booting. I think these bars are fairly valuable for users who don't know what programs are unsafe and unnecessary.

How Can I Tell Which Processes I Can Turn Off

How Can I Tell Which Processes I Can Turn Off

Services Leblanc