You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC, to close crashed programs and processes, and to check performance. You probably avoid a few processes whose names mean nothing to you, but they're essential to Windows. svchost.exe sure likes to appear all the time and multiple times at that. What's taskmgr.exe? Oh yeah, it's the window you're looking at right now. ctfmon? Is he related to Pokemon? navapsvc.exe? Navy? Napa Valley? Navel? NOTA (none of the above).
This is not a comprehensive list as that would take days. It has the standard processes as well as process names from popular applications. If you want to know about a process, the best place to go is? ProcessLibrary.com. Just like adware and spyware, there are bad processes that come to life thanks to the bad guys like Trojans and viruses. The site has a list of the top five security threats, so watch out for those processes.
Also, beware the bad guys like to use legitimate names of processes. For example, rundll.exe is a system process that should not be terminated. However, recent reports have stated, "It can also be the LOXOSCAM virus depending on Operating System and file path; this is always a virus on Windows XP and 2000 operating systems however."
You can download software that provide more information about the process. Task Manager, as you know, says nothing except the name of the process and how much CPU it's using. One example is Process Explorer, a standalone application that also has the option of replacing the built in Task Manager for windows. It shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
acrotray.exe
Acrobat Assistant that is used when printing documents to a PDF. The process should not be removed while converting documents to PDF.
ADService.exe
Active Disk Service is a component of the Iomega zip drive.
AppServices.exe
Also for the Iomega zip drive.
ccEvtMrg.exe
Associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.
ccSetMgr.exe
Also associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.
csrss.exe
System process that is the main executable for the Microsoft Client / Server Runtim Server Subsystem. It should not be shut down.
ctfmon.exe
Non-essential system process. If you're using only English as the language, then it is not needed. However, it's recommended to leave it alone.
explorer.exe
This must always be running in the background. It's a user interface process that runs the windows graphical shell for the desktop, task bar, and Start menu.
iexplore.exe
Internet Explorer browser. But why are you using it unless it's for a site that doesn't work in any other browser? Use Firefox instead.
lsass.exe
Local Security Authority Service is a Windows security-related system process for handling local security and login policies.
Navapsvc.exe, nvsrvc32.exe, and navapw32.exe
These are Symantec's North AnvtiVirus processes. They or whatever virus program you use should run all the time.
realsched.exe
RealNetworks Scheduler is not an essential process. It checks for updates for RealNetworks products. It can be safely disabled.
rundll32.exe
A system process that executes DLLs and loads their libraries.
savscan.exe
Nortons AntiVirus process. Keep it.
services.exe
An essential process that manages the starting and stopping of services including the those in boot up and shut down. Do not terminate it.
smss.exe
Session Manager SubSystem is a system process that is a central part of the Windows operating system. If you try to kill it, it will be difficult? hence, the importance of leaving it be.
spoolsv.exe
Microsoft printer spooler service handles local printer processes. It's a system file.
svchost.exe x 6
You may have more than six appearances of this process or less. It's there multiple times to handle processes executed from DLLs. Leave it there.
System
This is a file that stores information related to local hardware settings in the registry under 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE'. Kill it and kiss your PC's stability bye bye.
System Idele Process
Calculates the amount of CPU currently in use by applications. This won't go away no matter how hard you try. Don't try it, OK?
taskmgr.exe
Appears when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.
wdfmgr.exe
Windows Driver Foundation Manager is part of Windows media player 10 and newer. Better not to stop the process.
winlogon.exe
Handles the login and logout processes. It's essential.
winword.exe
The great Carnac says, "You're running Microsoft Word."
Don't panic if you see something you have on the "bad guy" list. svchost.exe is important, but some are good guys and some are bad guys. Do your research before deleting anything. For instance, I have admin.exe, which has been reported as a bad guy. However, it is the admin process for one of my programs. When I closed the program, admin.exe also went away.
Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.
tidy up service Glenview ..Do you use Windows standard uninstall feature? How do you... Read More
You will need the following:1. 1.44MB FDD (floppy)2. NVFLASH utility... Read More
Nothing is worse than having to negotiate all kinds of... Read More
Not sure what Windows registry is or how it works?... Read More
You probably heard of the new Firefox browser version 1.0... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More
We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More
Stimulus thru Caffiene or Visual Input?It appears that the Mobi... Read More
Buying Your PCBuying a PC that's right for you and... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
Surf the 'Net for about 10 minutes and chances rate... Read More
Simone is exasperated. She has to work on her university... Read More
Plasma and LCD TVs are the latest trend in home... Read More
Computers are supposed to speed up our productivity?to help us... Read More
In this era of Internet, most people are frequent users... Read More
All of us are familiar with the pyramids of Egypt.... Read More
Since the DOS days, batch files have been one of... Read More
I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.In fact, often... Read More
You???ve studied hard; you???ve practiced your configurations; you???ve used your... Read More
Time is money. And when you constantly have to divide... Read More
Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More
Cameras: still known for taking pictures but assumed as digital... Read More
Maintaining your computer is extremely important ? especially if you... Read More
full-service cleaning Mundelein ..The first step is: Start > My DocumentsSo you have... Read More
Yes, it's true. You may have inadvertently invited a spy... Read More
ComputersBusinesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on... Read More
MP3 players are everywhere! It seems that the number of... Read More
Plenty! When we made the decision to be our own... Read More
Enhanced Definition Television ? also known as EDTV ? is... Read More
Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped,... Read More
There have been some questions on anti-skip protection on mp3... Read More
Here are some tips on how to use screensavers:First of... Read More
What led them to this choice, as all four studios... Read More
You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC,... Read More
World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More
I met an entrepreneur who hole heartedly disagree with an... Read More
Since the DOS days, batch files have been one of... Read More
"Automated Testing" is automating the manual testing process currently in... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio... Read More
Your Bible At Your FingertipsIt is fairly easy to find... Read More
Each of the items in the checklist below is part... Read More
Google, in their march to stay ahead of the pack... Read More
So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your... Read More
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due... Read More
HTTP ProtocolThe web is run on port 80. You are... Read More
Personal Technology |