How Many Processes Should Be Running Windows 10 ?

One of the coolest things about the Windows OS is that it has been designed to tackle different processes and provide users with multiple services all at the same time! This means that when you are writing an email to work, simultaneously, in the background, you could be downloading a torrent or uploading files to your drive and playing music on Spotify!

All in one go! What could be better than multitasking and the Windows 10 OS is no exception. However, there are downsides to this ability as well! If your Windows device is running too many processes at once, it might be too much and your device might even crash.

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Why Can Too Many Background Processes Be Bad?

Many processes running at the same time can lead to your device slowing down and lagging because they are engaging in too much CPU usage. Sometimes, even when you are not even using the computer, Windows might be running close to 50 unnecessary programs and processes in the background and you wouldn’t even know it!

It is certainly true that a lot of these processes are vital Windows services or even your anti-virus and malware programs that launch automatically on startup. Surely these shouldn’t be closed! However, if you hold down Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys together and get a ton of background processes in the Windows 10 Task Manager then you might have to take matters into your own hands!

This is quite important if you work entirely on your laptop because you need to free up system resources for your vital tasks! If you open an app and close it, its processes might still be running in the background. A good example is the Discord app and if it launches on startup, chances are it’s still up somewhere in the background.

Many users are not even aware of exactly how many processes can be running on their Windows while they are simply playing a game. You might just be playing your game but when the computer starts, it usually does so with at least 100 unnecessary processes as well!

Let’s discuss in details how many processes should be running Windows 10.

How Many Processes Should Be Running Windows 10?

There’s no one ruling on how many processes should be running on Windows 10 while you are working or playing! However, it is a unanimous decision that if your computer is lagging or if it crashes due to a ton of background apps, then you should close some of them using one of the methods that we are about to list below!

While it is true that the Windows Cortana, your built-in games, and other Adobe services, if you are using Photoshop, can be closed if they are running in the background, some processes are vital to your computer’s smooth running and performance! So, be careful that you do not force stop any processes that should keep running. This is why you must look over the running processes before you close them!

To help you out, we are going to list out how to stop too many Windows processes from running on Windows 10.

Method #1 : Shut down system monitors

The first method to cut down on the number of processes that should be running at one time is to remove the system monitors from the equation. If you’ve ever opened Task manager and seen system monitors there, you might not know that these might be third-party system monitors because they will be listed as background processes.

These system monitors are included because they are vital in monitoring the usage of the hard disk and system resource and hard disk usage. However, since they are not linked to the primary system processes, they will still act as independent background processes. The reason these need to be eradicated is that you might be getting a lot of system tray notifications.

The tricky part however is that even though these will appear in the Task Manager in Windows 10 as extra processes running, you will not be able to close them from there. The only effective method is to go to the specific software’s settings and then disable it from their utility software.

However, if you want a quicker method of doing this much quicker, then you can download and install a system cleaner or app that will do the job much quicker for you. However, if you are looking for a more permanent method, you can remove the third-party programs and their services and that will most likely end the processes.

Method #2 : End background processes using Task Manager

As we mentioned in our last method, you can easily make use of Task Manager to end any running processes that you don’t need and might be slowing your computer down! It will show you all Windows processes in the Processes tab. All you have to do is click on each process and then disable them by clicking on End Task.

Make sure you do not terminate any essential Windows processes while doing this since they are vital to the Windows OS. Instead, make sure that you end third-party software processes and your computer should be running smoother in no time!

Method #3 : Stop the processes at the Windows 10 Startup

If the previous method is not thorough enough for you and you want a deeper clean, then try this next one out! To stop processes that spring upon startup, you need to do this:

Hold down both the Windows and X keys at the same time, choose the Task Manager and this will open the Processes tab.

You will then open the Start-up tab.

After this, you choose the system tray program and select the disable button next to it so it is removed.

We Are Now Going to Tell You How to Remove Startup Apps on Windows 10:

Your first step will be to right-click on the Taskbar while it is empty.

If you do this, then a new window will appear. You can then click on Task Manager Feature as normally.

After the task manager is open, click on the Startup option. You may use the Windows and R keys shortcut from the keyboard.

Once it is open, enter this: taskmgr /0 /startup. Make sure it is case sensitive so it is safer just to copy-paste it.
This will then show you a list of processes that will start as your Windows does.
Here you have the choice to either enable or disable certain processes by right-clicking on them. This is entirely up to you and while it is a manual method, it is quite effective.

Get rid of third-party services using Windows Startup

Our last and final method is quite direct and effective at stopping multiple background processes from running on your Windows 10 device. This involves turning off 3^rd party apps and services. Here’s how to achieve that:

Your first step will be to launch the Processes Tab using Task Manager.

You can then a service you need to disable by clicking its arrow.

You can then right-click on this and choose the option for Open Services.

By double-clicking the service you want to disable on the Services window, it will open the properties window.

When you choose this method, you need to remember that it is only providing you with a temporary solution as the End task button cannot disable those services forever. You will also need to restart your Windows. This is why it is important to disable them completely so they won’t pop up the next time you start your computer.

If you want to know exactly how to achieve that instead of simply clicking on End Task or process for each 3^rd party app, then we have a shortcut for you! Using the System Configuration utility you can end all non-Microsoft services in Windows 10.

Here are the steps you can follow:

Launch the System Configuration by pressing on the Windows and R keys.

Then type in msconfig in the command prompt and press OK.

Next, you can choose the Services tab.

Then make sure to click on the checkbox for Hide all Microsoft services.

Then press the Disable all button and click on Apply.

Finally, select the OK button and the window will close.

A dialog box will appear, press restart, and you are done.

Sometimes just to make sure that your computer performs better, you should be aware of how many processes are running on your Windows 10 device! Something as simple as ending 60 or 70 unnecessary tasks can sometimes make a huge difference in how smooth your Windows can perform.

That’s all from our side on this topic about Windows processes and by now out readers will know exactly how to end and close too many processes that might be running in the background!