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General discussion

Programs "Resident" but idle

by Vince.Rosati Jun 13, 2009 1:26AM PDT

I have been reading lately that just having a program reident on my computer can slow it very much (including bootup).For example, a common bit of advice is to delete any programs that are not used regularly.

On my Desktop I have icons for the MS Office programs, a couple of Registry Cleaners, CCleaner, and so on.

In MSCONFIG I have restricted what loads (and runs?) at bootup.

Does having many (about 50) programs in the Program Files folder cost anything (RAM, time, CPU cycles, etc.?) even if the program is not being used?

Gateway Media Center, 2.8 GHz, 2 GB RAM, XP,

Thanks for any reply,

Vince

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3 Posts

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A bit of a stretch

by Bob__B Jun 13, 2009 5:10AM PDT

I have been reading lately that just having a program reident on my computer can slow it very much (including bootup).For example, a common bit of advice is to delete any programs that are not used regularly.

Perhaps a better way to say that is>>>>>make your startup group skinny.
Don't load a bunch of unneeded stuff at startup.
It eats your ram and causes swapping>>>>>very bad.
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For example, a common bit of advice is to delete any programs that are not used regularly.

Can you provide a link to that advise?
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Does having many (about 50) programs in the Program Files folder cost anything (RAM, time, CPU cycles, etc.?) even if the program is not being used?

I suppose someone can prove....yes.
For we mortals....no.

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(NT) From me a clear NO to your last question.

by Kees Bakker Jun 13, 2009 8:05AM PDT

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Programs "Resident" but idle

by Vince.Rosati Jun 13, 2009 9:07AM PDT

Bob and Kees,

OK, that's what I thought, but as I say I "frequently" run across that "get rid of your unused programs" thing.

I will save this thread and when I see it again I'll try to remember to send it to you.

Thanks for the reinforcement.

Vince

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