How to find things that are running in the background on my computer?

Question

Sometimes when my computer is just "sitting" there, I hear a noise as if it is running or loading something. What could that be? I don't know how to find the programs that may be running. I have two computers and only one of them makes this noise. Otherwise, everything runs ok. It is not slow or anything. Can anyone help me figure out how to find these "Invisible programs"? Thanks

Answer 1

Here is a Free Website that Will tell you:

FileResearchCenter.com run by the same company that offer Super AntiSpyware Free Addition, which is a nice program.

Also, Microsoft website has a program called Process Explorer, this also allows you to KILL anything that is running that you wish to stop.

This helps if you have some Malware take over your Browser and not allow you to run your Anti-Virus software.

Answer 2

Hi there are a few ways but the quickest is ctrl-alt-delete keys at the same time a screen will come up then scroll down to task manager click once and box should come up with tabs at the top click most left tab should show all the programs running at that time just close the ones you do not want ok hope this helps...

Regards Neil...

Answer 3

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del together.



If in XP then go to the process list.

When you see all those programs running then you can DEL each one you don't like.

Not sure which is which? Open up a new window in your yahoo search engine and type in the name of the exe and it will tell you what it does (and if its suspect). Delete it and see if it affects your system.



Win 7 and Vista will cause you issues (it asks if you wish to open T~ask manager so say yes) but if you delete something important or essential then XP may more allow it than Win 7 or Vista but it won't let you do anything provided you have good security running.



Take care what you delete and things should go well.

Answer 4

I assume your using windows. Hold Alt,Ctrl and Delete this will bring up the task manager. Go to processes tab and look for the tab CPU most will say 00 but if you see a process going from 04 - 08 or something similar and you aren't using the program or service that is there right click and press "End process tree" then click "Ok".



Please note to make sure you don't end processes such as explorer.exe which will send you computer unresponsive.



Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Do this, proper click on within the mission bar on the backside of your reveal, click on on mission supervisor, now click on on procedures. be aware the CPU (imperative processing unit) and reminiscence utilization of the entire matters walking. To hinder a few matters not to routinely load whilst you stir up your laptop, do that. Click begin>run form in MSCONFIG click on on offerings tab. ***IMPORTANT*** examine the field that claims "conceal all microsoft offerings" subsequent click on the startup faucet, uncheck whatever you do not wish to begin whilst you flip for your laptop. click on observe and restart your laptop, while it begins you're going to get a message announcing you're utilising selective begin up, examine the field thats says do not exhibit this message once more, click on adequate. in doing this your begin up time might be diminished and you're going to have extra to be had reminiscence available. well success Note, now not definite if you already know the mission bar, the clock subject is known as the approach tray or notification subject, via the home windows begin is the rapid release bottons, in among the two is the mission bar in which you notice the whole lot you may have open.

Answer 6

Best way to find out is by Process Explorer from Sysinternals.

Answer 7

well, hard drives make noises, so you shouldn't be surprised about that. i think almost everybody is familiarized with that. about finding the running processes, the others told you already.