DonnaYoung.org

Computer - Background Tasks

admin @ 22 September 2007
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http://donnayoung.org
thumbnail Many applications that you install on your computer will add programs to the tasks of your computer. That means the added task will run in the background when you start your computer. Most of the tasks are not essential and they will use your computer’s resources, slowing your computer. It is a good idea to go through your task list and remove the programs that are not necessary.

You can see what tasks run upon startup by bringing up the system configuration utility. To bring up the system configuration utility, click Start on the task bar (bottom bar) and choose Run from the list. In the box, type msconfig then choose OK. That will bring up the system configuration utility window. Look at the tabs on the top of the window and choose Startup.

You will see a list of programs with check boxes next to each one. Some of the programs are important and should not be bothered and some can be closed (unchecked). There is a website that will assist you in deciding what is important. The site is linked below:

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

The programs on the website are listed alphabetically and the pages are long so I suggest using find (Ctrl f) to help you quickly find each program. Not all programs will be listed.

Notes:

  1. Unchecking a program will not make it disappear forever. It will still be on the list, it just won’t be checked and it won’t run when you turn on your computer.
  2. When you alter the start-up, it will want to reboot, if this is the first time you have ever done this, allow it to reboot. Upon rebooting a window will pop up telling you that the configuration was changed, so don’t be surprised by that. I elect not to see the window after seeing it the first time, otherwise it comes up on every reboot.
  3. Proceed cautiously, don’t randomly uncheck boxes.
  4. Takes notes of the programs that are necessary and file the list. When you install new programs, check your list against the startup configuration to see what is new and if the new task is necessary.

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  1. We have done that before. I think it is about time for us do to that again. Thanks for the reminder, Donna. smile

    — appliejuice · Sep 22, 10:53 AM · #

  2. I think my husband knows this, but I`ll show it to him anyway. I remember doing something with msconfig when I used his PC.

    Thanks Donna....slow computers are annoying!

    — Sheri · Sep 22, 12:08 PM · #

  3. Thank you for posting this. I did not know how to do this job, but knew it had to be done--so this was great information and well timed too :)

    — Barb Szyszkiewicz, sfo · Sep 22, 01:17 PM · #

  4. That is very good advice and I should try that with both my computers. The lag time isn`t too great but it could be better.

    — Elaine · Sep 22, 01:21 PM · #

  5. If we ever meet for lunch...

    I am bringing my computers! laughing


    You are one smart cookie. I am convinced the geek-squad has NOTHING on you... and I mean that in a nice way. big smile

    — Donna · Sep 27, 05:07 AM · #

  6. Hi there. Always have loved your website and have pointed others your way as well. I am currently disappointed in my web host and was wondering if you had any recommendations for a reasonably priced one. I am hoping to move my domain to a new host within the next couple of months before my current contract is up.

    Thanks for any recommendations you can give.

    — Barbara · Jun 16, 07:30 PM · #

  7. Hi Barbara and thanks for sending people this way.

    I empathize with you over having to change hosts. I`ve done that twice in the almost 10 years that I`ve been online. I do not have any recommendations for hosts. I looked at a lot of them two years ago when I last moved, but I did not keep the information that I had.

    — Donna Young · Jun 18, 12:01 PM · #

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