Windows Task Manager is a bit of a tease. Sure it provides you with some usable information, but it falls far short of providing you with the information that you really need. It is most commonly used to display information on all processes running on your computer, as well as advising you of the CPU and memory usage stats for a given process. Additional selective information on running applications, performance, local area connection and on users is also available.
Most importantly, from within Task Manager you have the option of selectively killing processes. But how do you determine which processes are safe to kill based on the limited information Task Manager provides?
If you’re a skilled computer user it’s probable you’re aware of every process running in the background, the application or service that is responsible for launching it, and the function it performs. Better yet, you probably have the know-how to selectively kill processes to optimize memory use and trim your machine for maximum performance.
But what if you’re a novice or casual computer user? Where can you get the information on running processes so that you can make an accurate assessment on whether to kill a process or not?
Fortunately, there are a number of free tools available that will help any computer user, novice or not, to determine which process/processes can be safely shut down.
One such free tool is ProcessQuickLink 2, a small application (413 KB), from Uniblue Systems, the company which provides the free indispensable process listing database Process Library, to the computing community.
After downloading and installing ProcessQuickLink 2 the latest process information will be available to you directly through Windows Task Manager. Simply click on the Icon next to the process you are querying, which will now be visible in Task Manager’s process tab, and the ProcessLibrary.com website will be accessed where the essential information on the selected process can be viewed. The information provided is extensive enough to allow you to make an educated decision on the process.
If you’ve always wondered just what all those processes running in the background on your computer are up to, this cool little application will give you all the information you need.
Instant one click access to process descriptions and advice through the Task Manager
Quickly and easily search 9000+ entries in processlibrary.com database
New process descriptions are added on a weekly basis
Windows 2000 / 2003 / XP / Vista
Internet connection and an Internet browser.
Do you have a favourite Windows Task Manager program?
(By) Bill Mullins is a Blogger who writes on Internet Security, System Tools, Free Software, and provides downloads links. Check out his Blog at Tech Thoughts
Filed Under: Cool Software Apps ¦ How-To ¦ Windows
Tags: better alternatives, How-To, windows tips
Sysinternal Process Explorer is ultimate process manager in my opinion. There is no fancy integration with some online site which is relatively popular function… But every user can google and few task managers can do everything process explorer can.
[...] (via Makeuseof) is powered by Process Library, one of the biggest websites on the Internet that contains a huge [...]
An excellent addition for those learning more about computers, or do-it-yourselfers who don’t want to learn too much computer science.
Advanced geeks will prefer Process Explorer, and using a search engine (ref, Karst). Such as trying to track down what, exactly, is using that instance of svchost.exe. But this is the user-friendly way.
Vista users will find a somewhat friendlier and more informative sub-display on the Performance tab of Task Manager by clicking the Resource Monitor button.
[...] One of my favorite tech dudes, Bill Mullins, has an op-ed piece in MUO about a great piece of software every geek should download (it’s free). It’s a window’s task manager on steroids. Go to the MUO site to check it out. [...]
ya…process explorer is the best u didnt even mention it!!!
[...] be sure whether killing a given process will crash the computer. Help is at hand. See this MakeUseOf post for a free piece of information-ware, as it were, that will explain any process for which you want [...]
[...] ProcessQuickLink 2 Takes the Tease Out of Windows Task Manager - Instant one click access to process descriptions and advice through the Task Manager. Quickly and easily search 9000+ entries in processlibrary.com database. New process descriptions are added on a weekly basis. [...]
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