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How To Disable Programs Back to FAQ page
There are several different ways to disable a program and stop it from running.
Why are they running, when I didn’t open them?
In most cases, a program runs "in the background" so that it can provide some sort of service while you are using the computer, or a faster response time when you wish to use it. The downside is that ach program that runs consumes some computer resources. This can lead to reduction of performance of the PC, so it is best to run only the programs you really need.
How do I stop a program - temporarily?
Windows 95/98/Me: Press Ctrl-Alt-Del and select the program you want to stop from the list of running programs. The name on this list will usually match the file name without the extension. Click the End Task button to stop it from running.
Windows NT/2000/XP: Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up Task Manager. Click the Processes tab and select the program you want to stop from the list. Click the End Process button to stop the program.
If the program has been automatically configured to start, it will start the next time you boot your computer. This is a good way to see if a program is really needed. Stop the program using the method above, then use the computer for a few hours. If you do not see any negative effects or loss of functionality, then you can probably disable the program permanently.
How do I uninstall a program?
The best way to permanently stop a program from running is to uninstall it. Click Start, then Settings, Control Panels, Add/Remove Programs. Find the program you want to remove on the list and select it. Then click the Add/Remove button. Some programs, particularly spyware and adware, may not completely remove themselves when they are uninstalled. In these cases you may need to use a spyware cleaner. Visit our Spyware section for more info.
How do I manage Windows 2000/XP services?
There is a separate interface that controls services. Click Start | Programs | Administrative Tools | Services. Find the service that you want to change and double-click it. From there you can start or stop the service, and change whether it should be started automatically when the system boots. My Pc Center's running programs list shows running services as well, and will recommend the best settings for services. In general it is not a good idea to "Disable" services unless you are completely sure that the service is not needed. Use "Manual" instead.
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