How to tell what scans and updates are running?

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 1 Jun 2013 2:58 am

Is there a way to find out when something is running in the background? Sometimes my system just starts running horribly slow, like maybe 1/3 to 1/4 speed, and I'm sure it's some scan or backup thing. I try to be careful when I update stuff - as I'm sure you know when you "need" to update Abobe or "flash plugins" or something they're always try to sneak something in. I just want to know if there's some way to tell, when it's running slow, why and what is doing it right then. I know I don't need every single anti-virus program out there.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 1 Jun 2013 4:24 am

The "Task Manager" is a good place to start.

On most Windows OS', CTRL/ALT/Delete (press all three at the same time) will either bring up the Task Manager or give you a menu that will have the Task Manager as one option.

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 1 Jun 2013 10:33 am

Ctrl+Shift+Escape brings up the task manager directly...

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 1 Jun 2013 11:20 am

Once you open Task Manager, click on the Processes tab. To sort by CPU usage, click on the CPU label. The worst offenders will move to the top, then drop down as they release demand to other processes. System Idle Process should normally be high and represents the opposite effect as other processes that consume cycles.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 1 Jun 2013 5:08 pm

Thanks Wiz, that takes me two steps further than I already knew. I just never know which ones I can safely dump.