In Task Manager I have around 100 processes running even whilst I only have a few web pages open.

 

In particular, I see two iexplore.exe jumping around 7 to 800,000k mark and total memory near to 60%.

In properties, the first is showing 'created' mid dec 2016, but 'modified' mid nov 2016??? Does this make sense?(or irrelevant)

(Edit) could these be XML DOM documents - I see two of these in Add Ons???

 

My laptop is a little slow and has frozen a few times, although a number of scans inc Eset online do not show any threats or virus's.

 

I know I cannot just end any processes without knowing if they are essential, but is there a (simplest possible) way to know if a process is required or something unnecessary / possible threat?

 

I am doing my homework on this issue but I know some of you guys are very technically minded and your assistance to a not so technically minded person would be most appreciated, so if anyone can advise in simplest terms, then many thanks in advance.

Edited 19 February, 20179 yr by Tilt

It seems the iexplore.exe were two of the web pages that were open, one being Brisky. At least these disappeared shortly after closing them, although I still think the memory usage was large. And one of the XML DOM docs has disappeared from Add Ons since logging off.

 

I'm convinced something is running in the background sometimes that shouldn't be, however I do not think it is necessarily malicious, or if it is, my firewall or antivirus has prevented any serious implications so far. (fingers crossed).

Download and run Malwarebytes. It's pretty good at finding stuff that isn't a virus but is still naughty.

 

My PC here is running 81 process right now with not a lot open, so 100 doesn't sound all that mad.

if you press ctrl+r and then in the run box type: MSCONFIG - under the serviuces tab, click the tickbox that says 'Hide all Micrisoft services'

 

This should give you an idea on what 3rd party services are running in the background and the ability to stop them.

1 hour ago, Aspman said:

Download and run Malwarebytes. It's pretty good at finding stuff that isn't a virus but is still naughty.

 

My PC here is running 81 process right now with not a lot open, so 100 doesn't sound all that mad.

 

What % is your physical memory at Aspman? Mine at present 107 processes and 43% physical memory with just Brisky open at 123,000k

 

I do run Malwarebytes (free version) fairly regularly.

 

It is definitely running slow at times, and frozen a few times. maybe I need to try and find someone I trust to look at it for me to get it set up better. My worry is there are a lot of people who think they know what they are doing.

Memory is running at about 2/3 utilised, Can't see a percentage there.

 

Browsers can be quite heavy memory. Firefox is a bit a repeat offender on that front.

Have a look through your installed programs and get rid of anything you don't use.

 

I had a recent problem caused by Adobe Reader so if you've any Adobe stuff install and reinstall (or dump and replace).

Make sure everything else is up to date too.

 

I suggestion you use MSConfig/Services.msc to stop services from running but tbh I think you need to know what your doing for that.

You could do obvious stuff like anything "update". Did Malwarebytes bring up any BHO things?

Well, to start with, download a proper browser and stop using IE (aka Memory Leak).

22 hours ago, Aspman said:

Memory is running at about 2/3 utilised, Can't see a percentage there.

Browsers can be quite heavy memory. Firefox is a bit a repeat offender on that front.

Have a look through your installed programs and get rid of anything you don't use.

I had a recent problem caused by Adobe Reader so if you've any Adobe stuff install and reinstall (or dump and replace).

Make sure everything else is up to date too.

I suggestion you use MSConfig/Services.msc to stop services from running but tbh I think you need to know what your doing for that.

You could do obvious stuff like anything "update". Did Malwarebytes bring up any BHO things?

Nothing on Malwarebytes scan at all.

I think I have Adobe Reader and Acrobat, so will look into these.

(see next post also please Aspman) Cheers.

Thanks to all so far for your input.............Looking a little further and doing an Avast performance check, which I suspect may be showing the biggest issues?????

1.43GB Junk files

26 Redundant apps

4 Inefficient system settings

115.94MB Obsolete registry entries.

 

I will now research these individual issues to see if I can resolve any of them myself.

 

Any further advice, or links to information greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

If you have Nvidia graphics, take a close look at whether you need the uber-bloat rather than just the driver and tray icon.

 

A lot of Microsoft "telemetry" rubbish tends to run if the machine isn't used all of the time. Compatelrunner and similar.

There was also the WIn10 upgrade crap in GWX....