Windows Task Manager in English

You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC, to close crashed programs and processes, and to check performance. You probably avoid a few processes whose names mean nothing to you, but they're essential to Windows. svchost.exe sure likes to appear all the time and multiple times at that. What's taskmgr.exe? Oh yeah, it's the window you're looking at right now. ctfmon? Is he related to Pokemon? navapsvc.exe? Navy? Napa Valley? Navel? NOTA (none of the above).

This is not a comprehensive list as that would take days. It has the standard processes as well as process names from popular applications. If you want to know about a process, the best place to go is... ProcessLibrary.com. Just like adware and spyware, there are bad processes that come to life thanks to the bad guys like Trojans and viruses. The site has a list of the top five security threats, so watch out for those processes.

Also, beware the bad guys like to use legitimate names of processes. For example, rundll.exe is a system process that should not be terminated. However, recent reports have stated, "It can also be the LOXOSCAM virus depending on Operating System and file path; this is always a virus on Windows XP and 2000 operating systems however."

You can download software that provide more information about the process. Task Manager, as you know, says nothing except the name of the process and how much CPU it's using. One example is Process Explorer, a standalone application that also has the option of replacing the built in Task Manager for windows. It shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.

acrotray.exe

Acrobat Assistant that is used when printing documents to a PDF. The process should not be removed while converting documents to PDF.

ADService.exe
Active Disk Service is a component of the Iomega zip drive.

AppServices.exe
Also for the Iomega zip drive.

ccEvtMrg.exe
Associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.

ccSetMgr.exe
Also associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.

csrss.exe
System process that is the main executable for the Microsoft Client / Server Runtim Server Subsystem. It should not be shut down.

ctfmon.exe
Non-essential system process. If you're using only English as the language, then it is not needed. However, it's recommended to leave it alone.

explorer.exe
This must always be running in the background. It's a user interface process that runs the windows graphical shell for the desktop, task bar, and Start menu.

iexplore.exe
Internet Explorer browser. But why are you using it unless it's for a site that doesn't work in any other browser? Use Firefox instead.

lsass.exe
Local Security Authority Service is a Windows security-related system process for handling local security and login policies.

Navapsvc.exe, nvsrvc32.exe, and navapw32.exe
These are Symantec's North AnvtiVirus processes. They or whatever virus program you use should run all the time.

realsched.exe
RealNetworks Scheduler is not an essential process. It checks for updates for RealNetworks products. It can be safely disabled.

rundll32.exe
A system process that executes DLLs and loads their libraries.

savscan.exe
Nortons AntiVirus process. Keep it.

services.exe
An essential process that manages the starting and stopping of services including the those in boot up and shut down. Do not terminate it.

smss.exe
Session Manager SubSystem is a system process that is a central part of the Windows operating system. If you try to kill it, it will be difficult... hence, the importance of leaving it be.

spoolsv.exe
Microsoft printer spooler service handles local printer processes. It's a system file.

svchost.exe x 6
You may have more than six appearances of this process or less. It's there multiple times to handle processes executed from DLLs. Leave it there.

System
This is a file that stores information related to local hardware settings in the registry under 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE'. Kill it and kiss your PC's stability bye bye.

System Idele Process
Calculates the amount of CPU currently in use by applications. This won't go away no matter how hard you try. Don't try it, OK?

taskmgr.exe

Appears when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.

wdfmgr.exe
Windows Driver Foundation Manager is part of Windows media player 10 and newer. Better not to stop the process.

winlogon.exe
Handles the login and logout processes. It's essential.

winword.exe
The great Carnac says, "You're running Microsoft Word."

Don't panic if you see something you have on the "bad guy" list. svchost.exe is important, but some are good guys and some are bad guys. Do your research before deleting anything. For instance, I have admin.exe, which has been reported as a bad guy. However, it is the admin process for one of my programs. When I closed the program, admin.exe also went away.

Protect Your PC from Viruses, Worms & Trojans

Each of the items in the checklist below is part of a broad and easy to implement security policy.

Install all windows critical updates for your operating system from the Microsoft Update site - it's free! All that's required to keep your Microsoft operating system up to date is an Internet connection.

Install and configure a firewall - either a hardware or software based firewall is a must! If you are using a router, it probably has firewall capabilities included. Software firewalls are available at minimal cost; one of the best is free!

Install and configure antivirus software - the cost is minimal, there are even free versions available - the protection is priceless! Update the definition files daily - scan your drive weekly - it can all be automated with most programs.

Create a backup - even the best plan can be circumvented - be prepared for the worst with a complete backup of your hard drive! If you already have a CD burner and software installed in your machine, you probably have the tools to create a complete system backup - for only the cost of a few CD-R's!

Obviously, the costs to properly protect yourself from the worst threats to your security are almost nil. If you need help with any step above, simply use a Google search to find help - it's freely available.

Follow these four simple steps and you will have implemented comprehensive and complete protection for your PC. If you are unable to initiate your own plan, hire an expert to do the job. You won't be sorry!

Windows 7 Versus Snow Leopard - What to Choose For Your Business

Because of the issues Microsoft users encountered with Windows Vista, many people have been reluctant to consider Windows 7. Many are concerned that Windows 7 is just a patched up version of Vista. Microsoft insists that this is not so, but instead they took what was good about Vista and made it better. Windows 7 has been receiving many good reviews and is considered a strong competitor of Mac's OS X and Linux.

What Are Some Of The New Features Of Microsoft 7?

Windows 7 has touchscreen capability even for programs that were not originally designed to be touchscreen. All you need is a touch screen monitor. Homegroup allows you to easily share files, photos, music, etc. with other computers in your network. Windows 7 offers faster startup and faster performance. Windows 7's new Taskbar is touted by some as even better than the Snow Leopard Dock. The Taskbar allows you to "pin" your favorite programs to it and preview open windows.

Snap lets you easily move, minimize, maximize, and resize windows so that you can view more than one window at one time. Windows search is as easy as searching on the internet Windows 7 is faster and doesn't require as much memory and processor usage.

The Ultimate Edition offers Bitlocker data encryption that prevents hackers and thieves from accessing your important files.

Jump Lists lets you easily access the programs and files you use most often.

You can still run many Windows XP programs in the XP mode.

The Professional Edition costs about $200 for the upgrade and $300 for the full version. The Ultimate Edition costs about $220 for the upgrade and about $320 for the full version.

Equipment to run Windows 7 can start at around $300.

The Downside Of Windows 7

Some reviews have reported spotty performance with Windows 7, but probably the biggest downside is that this operating system needs to be time tested to evaluate its performance and reliability over the long haul.

How does Mac OS X Snow Leopard Compare?

Apple's Macintosh operating system already enjoys a reputation as easy to use and reliable, and offers users fast performance and stability. The standard software such as Safari, iPhoto, iChat, and Garageband is well liked by Mac users. Windows 7's new taskbar is very similar to Mac's standard Dock. While Snow Leopard is perhaps more like an upgrade than a new operating system, Apple has added some new features to Mac OS X Snow Leopard:

Snow Leopard offers faster performance and speed, and the new OS uses less disk space.

Upgraded Expose makes it easier to view all of your open windows while in the Dock.

Zoom Slider lets you take a closer look at the application before opening it.

Stacks now has a scroll bar so that you can see all of your applications.

Exchange support allows you to connect with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

The Downside Of Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Lack of business applications

A bug in Snow Leopard caused some users to lose data. The problem has since been rectified, but it is still a cause for concern, especially for business owners.

While snow leopard only costs $29, you must already be a Leopard user and own a Mac computer, which generally start at about $600.

The bottom line in this debate is that Windows is still the most commonly used operating system in the business world and the most business friendly. While Mac continues to maintain a solid reputation and is frequently used for publishing and graphic design, Windows has more to offer business owners.

Windows run personal computers are also more economically priced, and Windows 7 Ultimate Edition is specifically designed to keep business files safe and secure. Even though Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate Editions are more expensive than Mac's Snow Leopard, it still offers businesses a wider choice of business applications and available programs.