Processes

I have a lot of processes running in windows 2000 pro. I would like to take it down to the bare minimum. Is there a place where I can find out which processes I don't need to have running? also, how can I stop processes from starting that I don't need?

 

Try this site. http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

 

In addition to Greyhound's excellent source, a classic reference for reliable counsel on what services are stoppable and why (which will change your processes list) is www.blackviper.com. Look for Services in the sidebar, and examine the tables of advice for your OS.

(Seems to be down tonight, but try later.)

 

If I then end a process, will it stay eneded? Meaning, upon a reboot, it won't start up again.

 

If you set the Services to Manual, they'll only start if something asks for them. If you set them to Disabled, they won't start for any reason. Some can safely be disabled, some should only be set to manual, and some MUST be left Automatic for your stuff to run. For Windows to run even.

Study the Black Viper list. His is for WinXP, but the Services are mostly the same (and do the same functions) for both OSes.

 

And again it has configs for all the OS's. http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/OSguides.htm