How to minimize processes in XP SP3?

Question

I have 66 processes running on a Windows XP SP3 system which is sapping my available RAM. Can they be reduced?

Answer 1

there are several unneeded windows services running by default;

Excellent guide here:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicec...

Also some programs (auto) start at boot-time....many are unnecessary, and can be started if/when needed.

Although many programs give you the option to disable them upon startup, just as many are lacking in this --

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

I have 4 programs that start at boot-time;

antivirus

firewall

tweakui

and the startup monitor (from the link above)

Including Firefox, antivirus,firewall, 3 svchosts, others,

i have 23 processes running now.

Answer 2

Any programs that are running are going to have processes open. This includes auto update software for printers, java, adobe, etc. these can usually be closed. the preferences for each should have an option to turn off the auto start feature. 66 processes really isn't THAT many to be running depending on how many programs you have open. A more important question is how much RAM you have installed. For XP SP3 to run smoothly, you should have at the very least 512 MB RAM but really at least 1 GB is recommended.

As a note, its really not a good idea to just start ending processes if you don't know what they're for and definitely dont EVER end svchost.exe. it may show up multiple times in the list of processes, these are usually associated with important Windows components such as handling your sound card, video card, etc.