Is your Windows 10 computer running slowly? The problem could be hidden processes running in the background. The more processes you have running, the slower your computer operates. The good news is you do have some control over which processes run and which don’t.
Problems With Hidden Processes
Hidden processes run behind the scenes. Even if you don’t have any apps open on your computer, you’ll still have dozens of processes running. These relate to your operating system, antivirus software, automatic updates on apps, and more. While some are necessary, others just clutter up your system, slowing it to a crawl.
Finding Hidden Background Processes
Windows 10 includes a revamped version of Task Manager that is the perfect solution for finding and managing hidden processes.
Access Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del, then click Task Manager. Alternately, right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
The Processes tab lists all the currently running processes. By default, they’re divided into three categories: Apps, Background processes, and Windows processes. For hidden processes, you’ll work mainly with the Background processes section.
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To the right of each process, you can see how many system resources the process is using, such as CPU and memory. The higher the numbers, the bigger the drain on your system.
If you see any processes that are safe to stop, right-click the task and press End Task. If you’re not certain about a task, it’s easy to research it further.
Identifying Unwanted Processes
Task Manager uses your default browser and search engine to search for details on the process.
Find out more about hidden processes by right-clicking the process and selecting Search Online.
You’ll be able to see what the process does, what app it’s tied to, and whether it’s safe or harmful. For harmful processes, you’ll also find recommendations on what to do next, such as stopping the task, running your antivirus program, and uninstalling an app.
Some hidden processes occur from apps that start when your computer starts. Prevent these from starting automatically by selecting the Startup tab. Right-click any apps you don’t need and select Disable. You can still start the app manually when you need to.
Identifying Key Processes You Shouldn’t Stop
Ending hidden processes does speed up your computer, but ending certain tasks could cripple your PC. As a general rule, you should leave anything in the Windows processes area alone. You should also leave your anti-virus and firewall processes running to stay protected online.
Related Read: 5 Quick Fixes for Annoying Windows 10 Issues
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