This is a tough one. Unless you are a true geek (not me) with intimate knowledge of required vs. optional vs. bogus malware services, the average bear is in no-man's land, but there is a little hope.
49 services is not unusual, but it can pay to run a Google search with the service name. A number of sites will return detailing the service and its need. Note that my system, right now, has seven cases of "svchost.exe" running, as well ... a necessary Windows process. BUT, there are malware sites that will load a process named "svchost.exe" which turns out to be bogus, identified by its folder location. Also take careful note of the spelling!!
Do your research, then use Administrator tools to stop a suspicious service from booting and note the effect. There are but a handful of absolutely, totally necessary services to start your computer (research it), which means you can recover a service if it proves necessary.
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General discussion
What are all those startup tasks during bootup?
So there have been a lot of questions and discussions about making computers boot faster and run faster, and I've done a bunch of stuff to help. Still, when I first turn on the system I have 49 processes running in my task manager, using more than 300MB "Commit charge" (memory? I haven?t added all the numbers listed as Memory Usage to see if it matches). They have names like shstat.exe, UdaterUI.exe, wmiprvse.exe, issch.exe. How do I know what these are, and if any is unimportant and can be stopped? Also, some seem to be listed multiple times, like svchost.exe (seven times--once for local service, twice for network service, and four times for system). Is all this really necessary? Explanation of exactly what is needed or not during start-up will be very helpful!
Submitted by Larry N.
Answer voted most helpful by our members
Mystery Processes...
Larry,
It's fairly simple to figure out exactly what those mystery processes are. There are sites dedicated to explaining exactly what those mystery executables are doing.
Google (and other search engines, for that matter) are your friend. Simply type the name of the process and search it out. As a for instance, Google returns about 105,000 hits for SHSTAT.EXE and the first hit for a site called liutilities.com says the file is part of McAfee's antivirus suite and should NOT be messed with.
The second file you specified - UDATERUI.EXE - only resulted in 644 hits and likewise is the common user interface of McAfee's AV suite and probably shouldn't be disabled.
WMIPRVSE.EXE is a much more popular search item resulting in 231,000 hits and liutilities.com reports this file as being a part of MS Windows Mangment Interface (hence the WMI).
ISSCH.EXE is a component of the InstallShield installer package. It updates InstallShield software to make sure it's up to date. It shouldn't be turned off unless you suspect it might be causing problems elsewhere.
The SVCHOST.EXE service host is a Windows component that runs various services - like the all important Windows Log on Service. Without those services, Windows won't ever be able to run anything.
There are articles on the web you can find about which Windows services are essential to keeping your system chugging happily along and which ones can be terminated without causing major problems.
You'll want to access those services from the Windows Managment Console (Right-click on MY Computer and select "Manage") or the Services control panel applet. Do not try killing services from Task Manager. Chances are those services will restart themselves again on their own or will cause BIG problems.
Some services can be disabled with prejudice and won't affect the way your system works - like the Messenger service. This is NOT the Window Messenger IM client - but is a bit of a throwback to command line era networking where you could type in something like:
Send /all "Hello World"
And you would see the text "Hello World" pop up on your screen. The modern day equivalent to this confines the text output into a pop-up window. While in a large, corporate setting, this could be very useful - a network admin could send out a message telling all users that the server was about to be "bounced" (shut down and restarted), saving the guy a lot of running around; in the case of single computers or even small networks, this service is quite useless, not to mention annoying. It can be safely disabled.
In some cases, there's even a dark side to the Messenger service. Spammers have caught on to this service. While they can't pass any nasty malware onto your system using this, they can annoy you to no end. You're sitting there, writing a note and up pops an ad for some fake pharmacy selling viagra, low cost re-fi's on your non-existant mortgage and the usual plethora of spam topics. This service is best turned off unless you've got an actual need for it.
Other services that can be safely disabled include things like Fast User Switching - so long as you're the only user on the system. The Smart Card service is kind of useless - especially if your computer is not equipped with a smart card reader and can be turned off. The Terminal Services and Uninteruptable Power Supply Services can likewise be disabled if you're not using them.
The bottom line with services - a lot of it depends on services you need and want to keep up and running.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6122_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=251386&messageID=2509226#2509226
Submitted by Wolfie2k5
If you have any additional advice or recommendations for Larry, let's hear them. Click on the "Reply" link to post. Please be detailed as possible in your answer and list all options available. Thanks!
Discussion is locked
31 - 60 of 86 Posts
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As someone else has already mentioned, System Mechanic Pro, by Iolo technologies, http://www.iolo.com/
iolo technologies - Providing trusted computing solutions , Is probably the easiest solution for almost of of your PC needs.
Now the MSRP is around 50-60 bucks, but you can get it much cheaper. For example Target has System Mechanic Pro 7 regular priced for 30 dollars i think? I was lucky, and I found an unsold System Mechanic 6 Pro set at a local Staples store. If you are lucky enaough to find a discounted System mechanic 6 pro box, then Iolo will bump you System mechanic pro 7 for FREE.
It is money well spent. It's basically a one stop soltution for all your needs. From registry cleaning and defragging to virus and hacker protection, this program has it all.
I would still strongly recommened though that you pay a visit to Sysinfo.org , as a simple capitol letter in the wrong place on a startup item can be something really nasty. So pay very careful attention to what is in your startup or running processes.
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I?m traying to find and answer for this also.
I recently bough a MacBook2, installed bootcamp and Vista Home x86.
In summary Mac OS X starts a lot faster than Vista running equivalent software in the same hardware.
Yet Vista boots faster than XP SP2.
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Actually there's a GREAT freeware utility from a company (Sysinternals) that has been (unfortunately) bought out by Micro$oft, called Process Explorer. It can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/ProcessExplorer.mspx .
It has 2 primary features that have made this program invaluable to me. First, it shows which processes need which other processes, in a nested-folder style structure, just like when you open the folder view in Windows Explorer. Second, it shows the actual file that each process is, and where it's located, not just the name of the process (which isn't always the same as its filename). This program has other nice little features, which may be a great help to others, but those are, in my mind, the biggest two reasons to get this great little utility. (And as I recall, it's a VERY small download, too!)
I've always heard that if you want something done right, do it yourself. Well, I've gotta say, if you want to understand something, the best way is to research about it yourself. Process Explorer is an incredibly powerful tool for this, as you can (usually) tell a LOT about what is running, just based on where it is on your hard drive. I think they give still more information about each process, but that's the basics, anyway. Oh, and it's pretty easy to use, too. Try it out, and see what you think!
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This may not help you, but if you will hold down your option key on a Mac, there are several symbols you will need from time to time. I hope this helps you. For instance under the j there is a triangle.
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The problem is that over time you have added clutter to the operating system. On startup the computer spends a lot of time finding and loading the clutter. If you are well orginized, using Windows XP and can free up about 4 or 5 hours then you can do the following:
1. Find any software (CDs or floppys) that came with your computer.
2. Collect all the origninal software that you use. Don's forget the Windows startup if it didn't come with your computer.
3. Read the instructions on how to restore your computer and make sure you can find everything you need.
4. Make a full backup of the hard drive and the system files just in case somthing goes wrong and you need to restore everthing.
5. Back up your data files taking note where they are stored.
6. Check hard drive for sectors other than what Windows will install.
7. Format your hard drive for the version of Windows you are using.
8. Reinstall Windows and each of the programs that you use. After each load clean up the hard drive using "Disk Cleanup" and defrag using "Disk Defragmenter" (one defrag is not enough I usually do at least two) the hard drive.
9. Load your data files making sure your programs have the correct path to find the files.
The computer should now be clear of clutter and start much more quickly. Plan to back up, clear up clutter, and defrag on a regular schedule to keep computer in tune.
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For those of you who may not know, you can think of processes as programs or parts of programs that are currently running on your computer. Even though you may not be aware of it, your computer is almost always doing something. You get a partial idea of what your computer is up to by checking the number of processes running on your computer by going into your task manager and selecting process tab by tapping the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys.
Checking the number of processes running is fine for a spot check, but the best way to deal with too many processes is to first make sure your computer is totally clean. By clean I mean that you should:
1. Fully scan your computer for all Viruses, Malware and Spyware
2. Uninstalled all programs that you do not use or need
3. Stop programs from starting during boot. You can do this by going into many of your programs such as Instant Messenger and unchecking the box that tells it to load at startup.
4. Use MSCONFIG from to check your startup items and uncheck the ones that you do not want to start. If you are unsure of any items listed, leave them or perform a Google search to learn more about them. START > RUN > Type ?msconfig? > Press Enter> Click on the STARTUP Tab.
Once you have your system fairly clean you can now start looking at the individual processes running in the process list. You can go down thru the list one by one and perform a Google search on each process or go to http://www.tasklist.org/tasklist_s.html or http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/ or http://www.processlibrary.com/ or http://processlist.com/ to learn more about each process. Note: If you choose to END a process from task manager, this will only end that process until the next time you restart your computer.
The number of processes running on your computer at any given moment is dependent on a huge number of factors such as:
1. What operating system you are running ? Because of all the extras, Windows Media Edition usually has the highest number of processes running.
2. Installed Hardware ? Extra Drivers to control hardware such as high end Video, Sound cards as well as modems and other extras can increase the number of processes running. Even installing an All-In-One printer can add several new processes to your list.
3. How many devices you have plugged in ? Your numbers will continue to rise if you have a ton of devices plugged in such hard drives, web cams, joy sticks, printers and scanners.
4. The software that you have installed ? Many software packages have updaters and other components running all the time even when you are not actually using the program.
5. Security Software Installed ? Some All-in-one security suites that have Antivirus, Antispyware, firewall, Antispam, Antiphishing and Anti-everything can add a large number of processes.
6. When you take the reading ? Your numbers can vary greatly depending on what is going on inside your computer at that moment. Antivirus software could be checking your drive for viruses or Windows could be downloading updates.
7. Number of Programs currently running ? Every program that is actually running will add to the process list.
8. Programs set to run at Start Up ? Many programs may be set to start automatically upon boot such as Instant Messenger, Winzip, Real Player and Windows Messenger.
9. Virus, Malware and Spyware Activity - Process numbers can rise with any unwanted activity, so make sure your computer is totally clean of all Viruses and Spyware.
10. Number of Users - Having more than one user logged into your computer can also increase the total number of processes.
To give you an idea of what numbers are possible. A clean install of Windows XP on a basic stripped down computer without any extra hardware can be as low as 21-25 processes running. After installing some basics such as a simple printer, Antivirus Software, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Reader you might end up around 29-36. Now on the other side of this, I have gone into the local computer store and checked the number of processes running on a brand new Windows XP Multimedia computer and found as many as 75 processes running. With all the trial and Free software that is pre installed at the factory, I have found many new computers right out of the box are in the 50?s and 60?s. Determining how many processes your computer should have running is not an easy task and can take a fair amount of time to research. Just as an example: A quick check of the 5 WIndows XP computers that I have on my bench right now, I get 48,39,42,30,and 32 total processes running.
There are a number of tools available to help you fine tune what is running on your computer. SpyBot Search and Destroy and Microsoft Defender both come with some advanced tools to help identify and shut down unwanted startup items.
NOTE: Shutting down some processes may prevent your computer from working correctly.
It would be impossible to tell you what processes you need or don?t need without all the information about your computer?s hardware, software and knowing something about your personal preferences.
Best of luck!
Dana
Wayland Computer
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I recall, not long ago, getting an information from either this forum or one of the others I visit, that one way of speeding up the start of the system was to have the C disk as clean and uncluttered as possible. More free space meant quicker boot-up times, and quicker reaction from the PC. One of the items suggested was to go and delete all but the last GOOD restore point on "System restore".
I did just that, and was amazed! I suddenly got more than 4G's back (wish they had been Dollar/Pounds/Euros or any other currency!)and my PC started up much,much quicker, and all my programmes seemed to work normally!
Now I do this regularly, and EVERY TIME I get at least over 1G back!
Don't know if this will help any of you, but it certainly helped me! Of course you MUST make sure that the only restore point you leave is a GOOD one (ie A point that your PC and all it's programmes were working correctly, and a point since when you HAVEN'T istalled any new Programmes!)
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Sorry to be thick, but how do you delete System Restore points?
Graham
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Check this link under How-To Guide How do I delete restore points in System Restore?
Tom
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I followed the instructions, however, my system does not have "System Restore." What I find is System Information and at that point I am lost as to what to do. I do not want to delete the wrong information and possibly remove necessary files.
Do you have information that will assist me? I do have Windows XP, Home Edition, Version 2002, Service Pack 2.
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Check your computer to see if system restore is turned on.
1. Go to start
2. Go to run
3. Type in control and click ok
4. Double click system
5. Click System restore tab.
6. Uncheck the disable system restore
7. Click OK and exit
If you do not have System restore reinstall Windows XP
System restore is a a separate program than system Info
1. start > all programs > accessories> system tools> system restore
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Open System Restore
Check the create a restore point
next
I usually type in Daily
check create, it will give you the date created.
To check it go to home and check restore my computer then next
there you can see all the restore points. The bold dates have points.
Some are created by other programs when installing or removing them.
click cancel to exit.
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Windows XP does have system restore,There">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx]There are two ways to access System Restore
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I found System Restore Wizard and that walked me through a new recovery date. WHEW! I appreciate all of you jumping in a helping. Thanks again. Narlene
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I think tomrons answer is more than sufficient, but don't be afraid of doing it, your PC won't let you do anything stupid without asking you repeatedly "ARE YOU SURE" - the things are almost human, so they know we're basically stupid!
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Removing System Restore points.
1. Open My Computer
2. Right click Hard Drive
3. Select Properties
4. Select Disk Cleanup
5. When Cleanup Window appears select more options tab
6. Select cleanup in the System Restore section.
7. This will remove all but the last restore point.
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waytron has done an excellent job of giving an overall look at the system, giving ways to stop what isn't needed and keeping the system clean. What you see in the Task Manager will be, in part, processes running for programs that started up when you booted. And these can be controlled, in part, using the msconfig utility.
But have found that some don't know how to use the msconfig utility. It's not simply a matter of unchecking something:
In Windows XP, working with both the msconfig utility and disabling Services you don't need can speed up the system. You must also check to make sure you don't have spyware running:
Start> Run> msconfig> OK> Selective Start-up> Startup tab. For any programs you don't recognize, refer to any of the sites below for ID. If you don't need them to start up and run in the background> click to remove the check.
NOTE: if you can't see enough to ID the program name, put your cursor over the dividing line at the top of the column and move it to the right or left.
NOTE: you will need to stay in Selective Start-up mode after making changes. If you do not, it will revert back to Normal and include the programs you stopped.
NOTE: if you find you do need something you stopped, the program will still be there and you can go back in an recheck it.
NOTE: you will get a 'nuisance' message about being in Selective Start-up. Click on the "X" it closed after clicking to check 'don't show me this message any more.
Here are more Startup Application databases to help you ID what you see both in msconfig and the Task Manager:
http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
http://startup.iamnotageek.com/ http://www.pcpitstop.com/spycheck/SWDetail.asp?fn=gah95on6.exe
and my personal favorite:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
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There are a lot of things you can do to speed up your boot time and system speed.
For the most part, Windows XP will run just fine without any of the programs in the Startup group and without a lot of the services that get started at boot time as well. There are always exceptions to this rule. You always want any security program (AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, etc..) to start when the PC starts. If you need any special drivers, then allow those to start as well, otherwise, the rest is just for show or convenience. The reason Windows will boot into Safe Mode almost 100% of the time is because it is starting without any of the garbage. So how do you do this?
Well, simply go to Start, then Run and type MSCONFIG. Look for the Startup Tab. You will see a bunch of programs checked. All those are starting up with your system. Identifying what some of those programs are is not exactly intuitive but if you look at them cerfully you can figure it out. Any item that has the name of the AntiVirus or other security software manufacturer, leave alone. The rest un-check. When you're done the system will want to reboot. Let it.
What else can you do?
- Defragment your hard drive at least every month.
- Keep your Desktop icons to a minimum.
- Stop all the fancy screen fades, sliding etc..
- Empty your temp folder(s)
- Clear your cache
- Don't keep your hard drive chuck full. If you haven't used a program in more than a month, remove it. You probably don't need it and if you have the CD you can always reinstall it.
- Scan for viruses, spyware and other forms of malware routinely. Infections can bring your system to its knees, to say nothing about safety, identity theft, etc...
It would take too long to tell you how to do all of these but I'm sure you can find the instructions somewhere on c/Net or by searching the web.
Enjoy a faster more stable PC.
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to make a pc run even faster partition your hard drive and only install windows on C: but install all your other programs on the other partition. may have other benefits other than speed!
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All these suggestions are great { I imagine} But to tell me to go in and stop a system from opening on startup is not the answer. I will shut down the PC doing what I "interpret" you telling me. I can't go to 'config' { what to heck is that] and stop what I don't want to run on start up. How do I know what is supposed to run at start up?
Simplify,simplify,simplify.
what do all those names mean?????????????????
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1st Download Whatsrunning to see the process and what it does at http://www.snapfiles.com/get/whatsrunning.html
it's free for private use.
2nd run msconfig to disable any unnecessary startup prgrams. If your unsure what is necessary go to
http://www.processlibrary.com/
to see what they do. You can also download process explorer at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/ProcessExplorer.mspx
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como puedo comunicar dos puertos serie(9 pins),de un pc con el de un decodificador de tv s
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"as I can communicate two ports serie(9 pins), of a PC with the one of a TV decoder s
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I have a great little program appl. named "Win Patrol" with a simple click I can see what is starting on my PC.. have more control in disabling the apps or programs.
I had many programs/apps at one time cluttering the start of my PC.. I disabled many of them I did not need... If I need the apps or prog. at one time I click it to start with a shortcut or "Win Patrol".
I start my PC faster. keeping the minimum like Norton Internet security, IE of course...my PC at booting only have 5 progs or apps to start. If I want my e-mail program I click the shortcut or task bar (left side).. No more problems with memory. and slow PC at startup.
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