How many processes should ideally be running?

[Skulblaka]

Simply prevent any process, you don't think you need, from starting when booting using CCleaner, to keep it simple of course.

Alternatively, use "MSConfig" by typing it into "Run" found in "Start Menu".

 

[Everlong]

Here is the ideal list right from my computer. I'm not likely to trade with anybody and have it fit me better.

I wouldn't call that an ideal list. It's what's currently running on your PC, but it's not *the* ideal list. You've got quite a few un-needed processes there, and a bunch are from vmware, which not everyone is going to be running.

 

[pparks1]

Sorry...that was a joke. It's ideal because it meets my needs perfectly....because it is MY computer. I figured people would pick up on that. Sorry for the subtle humor.

 

[Maxxwire]

Here is the ideal list right from my computer. I'm not likely to trade with anybody and have it fit me better.

You're right about that! Having the 'ideal' list is very subjective and its certainly not about having the least total amount of services running, but rather having all of the services that you need running which you have shown us you do. I sure wish my computer's svchost.exe ran for as little RAM as it does on your computer though.

~Maxx~
.

 

[Aphelion]

A few minutes after booting the PC, after the delayed services run, I show 27 processes running. (show processes from all users is checked)

At this point it's basically a stripped down Windows.
It runs my audio programs, does the Internet, is part of a home network and can download digital pics from my camera so I'm happy.

Ap

 

[Maxxwire]

A few minutes after booting the PC, after the delayed services run, I show 27 processes running.

My Win 7 computer currently boots up with 35 services running. There used to be 39 running, but I disabled the MS CEIP information collection schedules in Task Scheduler and I instantly had 4 less services running all day. What prompted me to do this was that I found out that starting in Win 7 these CEIP information collection services located in the Task Scheduler Library> Microsoft> Windows file continue to run even after the user opts out of the CEIP program.

~Maxx~
.

 

[pparks1]

You're right about that! Having the 'ideal' list is very subjective and its certainly not about having the least total amount of services running, but rather having all of the services that you need running which you have shown us you do. I sure wish my computer's svchost.exe ran for as little RAM as it does on your computer though.

~Maxx~
.

It's all about whether your computer is fast enough for you. While I might be able to tweak a handful of things and speed it up by a teeny, tiny amount, the time effort involved to measure it and make sure that it didn't actually slow something down far outweighs the benefits in my eyes. My box is plenty fast for me, it's running with a light install load, it's running an SSD, my timings on my RAM are low, my CPU is overclocked just a bit and pretty much everything I do is near instantaneous...so it's just not worth screwing with further. (For me).

 

[Maxxwire]

My box is plenty fast for me, it's running with a light install load, it's running an SSD, my timings on my RAM are low, my CPU is overclocked just a bit and pretty much everything I do is near instantaneous...so it's just not worth screwing with further. (For me).

Your level of candidness concerning the intricacies of the extensive modifications that you have made to your Win 7 computer are encouraging to someone like me who is in the early stages of setting one up. I look forward to someday being able to follow your example and upgrade to an SSD, but I've just had my new Win 7 x64 desktop for 2 months and I'm trying to delay the implementation of the very noticable improvement in performance that an SSD would bring until I've run it for a while and the 600% improvement in performance over the laptop I just upgraded from has worn off a bit.

~Maxx~
.

 

[silx2000]

hi guys!

I bought a asus n76v and I was thinking about use OEM w7 64bits install or a new fresh install...first off al, on the first use I uninstalled some boring and things that was installed by asus...like face recognize logon (sometimes, delay to recognize is annoying), and more 2 or 3 things that I will never use...like mixer for audio e video edit software... I unchecked some itens on msconfig (startup) too...like cyberlink dvd burning options, power dvd, adobe reader... (you can use this normally WHEN you will need)

after this I checked process list, almost fell of chair...119 process running....a lot of stupid programs running like process.... my machine is a i7 with 16gb, but, and I will migrate to a SSD this week, but I will not lost energy with this things...

My old desktop (e8400 - 8gb), after 3 year of fresh w7 sp1 32bits instalation and a lot of software after, show me 72 process running...I don`t know if had difference between quantity of process running between w7 32 bits an w7 64 bits..both sp1.

OEM factory install never more....

Sorry my english, this is not my native language and sorry for the post on old topic, but this is a simple report to help people with this same doubt...

 

[4wd]

Reading the posts here, some with over 100 services? I wonder how it's possible to end up with that many, like 75 programs\applications opened at the same time??

I've got 3 laptops running, all doing fine in the 30 to 40 range, depending on open programs.

 

[silx2000]

4wd,

Look this...I only install firefox after first use...

 

[4wd]

silx2000, I'd believe you can get rid of dozens of services\startup items. But which can go still leaving a fast, fully functional pc? That's up to you, your skills and patience. I can't believe the amount of stuff that gets crammed into new pc's these days.

My personal opinions and basic approach:

Take it over time, be careful, have recent complete backups\images (preferably from a good 3rd party program, creating the usb\cd boot\restore tool) + create fresh windows restore points regularly, should save the day if anything goes wrong). Alternatively, do a clean windows install + only the needed drivers (can be a combination of default windows drivers + some specific stuff from the manufacturer).

I use Ccleaner as the easy way to enable\disable startup items. Process Explorer from Sysinternals is a good tool. Regarding services, set things to manual if in any doubt, choose disabled only when 111% sure about the function of a particular service. Tip: always check Dependencies.

Be careful, don't do more than 1 or 2 changes at a time, spend time reading\googling before acting, it's the alternative to staying up all night trying to undo mistakes lol

 

[whs]

100 or more processes is a lot. I run between 50 and 60 on all my systems. But I always disable all startup programs - except those that I started myself (like Rocket Dock or Sidebar - gadgets).

 

[silx2000]

WD and Whs,

you are right...

until last year all my new machines I installed a clean windows + essential drivers only, but on last 10 months my job took my time a lot, I'm very tired and for a few moments with this new asus I Thought use factory default windows until I confirm that it was not worth.

My computer routine on last 5 or 7 years was: new clean windows instalation + essential drivers + basic programs + specific programs + personal preferences(shortcuts, email client + wallpapers, etc) after this: CCleaner and defrag and after all: macrium reflect (disk image copy) saved on external drive.

normally once a year or when windows was slow or failing I always replaced instalation for image on backup, and this routine always work fine to me, except when I did hardware upgrade.

well...I just installed clean windows on this morning: 33 services running, now I will install the basic drivers. possibly no more than 50 services will running after basic drivers.