How many processes should be running?

[keveljay]

System: Laptop running 1.5g Centrino, 30gig H.D, 256m, XP pro, McAfee suite

Does anyone know roughly how many processes should be running in the background when the pc is just sitting 'at the desktop' with no programs open. My system has been gradually slowing over the last 12 months and everytime I go into task manager there is between 46 and 55 processes running. This seems excessive to me, but I am a novice so any help would be appreciated - e.g. whats needed etc, etc. Thanks Kev

[ckempston]

I only have 35 and I am running several apps. 55 seems excessive. It would help if you provided a process list. You can use pulist from the Resource Kit to get a text listing.

Basically, I'd check your Start/Programs/Startup and remove anything there that you don't need.

Also, anything in your system tray has a process associated with it. So, if you're running Active Sync for a palm device, or a time sync program, these will have processes associated. You should check the registry at HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run. Anything under this key is started when your computer starts up. Typically, little to nothing under this key is actually needed, but be sure to check before you just start deleting stuff.

That should get you started, but if you post a process list, you would probably get better answers.