Overlaod of programs working in background/ Installer

[Mary Ann]

Hi,

It used to be the system and explorer programs were the
only two that had to remain operational in the
background. This XP runs over 50 and I don't know how
discover which ones MUST be running: system/explorer are
not listed.

In addition, the message I am receiving is I cannot
remove program because Windows Installer is not
installed. I cannot find a download from Microsoft for
XP Windows Installer.

PLEASE HELP - My computer is "running" like a snail.

 

[Tom Swift]

Hi Mary Ann:

You are confusing 'programs' with 'processes'. Windows has always had many
processes running in the background, but earlier versions of Windows did not
display them. At the moment there are 36 processes running on my computer,
and the machine runs like Speedy Gonzales (if you're old enough to remember
who he was.)

There's a tremendous amount of emotion surrounding operating system
processes, and too little fact. No amount of disabling allegedly
'unnecessary' processes will provide as much of a boost to your computer's
performance as will adding RAM, moving to a faster video card, or trimming
the programs that you allow to start with Windows.

That's not to say that certain operating system processes should be
reconsidered if you're picky about your privacy. But the truth is, if you
practice safe computing you have nothing to fear.

Tom Swift

Tom Swift