WinXP

How to disable Windows Automatic Updates and shut down the background process

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

 

This is Windows Automatic Update utility. It is unnecessary and uses internet, memory, and hd resources.  I use manual updating.

To disable Windows Automatic Update (wuauclt.exe)

1. Start | Run | type "services.msc" | <Enter>,
2. highlight and rightclick Automatic Updates, Select Stop, 
3. then select Properties | set Startup Type to Disabled!
4. Reboot.
5. DO NOT   {Delete C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe   or from c:/WINNT/system32 on WinXP Pro v2002. //   *****ONLY DELETE THE FILE, NOT THE FOLDER*****}  …. as you will not be able to update.

You should periodically (every other month or so) go to  http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp and manually install all the latest security patches and fixes  for your Operating System. You will no longer be reminded or sent to do it, because it is disabled.

 

How to disable / eliminate : GoogleCrashHandler.exe

 

How to disable / eliminate :  GoogleUpDate.exe

 

To turn off Google Updater in XP:

1. Start > Run, type in “services.msc”,
2. then scroll to find Google Update Service.
3. Double click on it and next to startup type,
4. open the drop down menu and click on disable.

To execute from command line:  C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe

 

How to disable JQS.exe     –  Java Quick Starter was designed to improve the startup time of Java applets and applications by prefetching Java Runtime Environment (JRE) files frequently into memory. 

1. Open Windows Control Panel.
2. Click on  JAVA 
3. Click on the ADVANCED tab
4. Click on the + next to MISCELLANEOUS
5.  Uncheck the box next to JAVA QUICK STARTER entry.

 

skypenames2.exe    Turns phone numbers in web pages into skype calling links. I do not use!  Thus this needs to be deleted.

 

To uninstall and remove the Skype add-on from IE do the following:

1. Open up Internet Explorer 
2. On the Command bar look for the Skype button icon and click on the button. –  The Command bar has the Home, RSS, Email and Print buttons, along with other IE Add-on buttons, if you don't see the Skype icon, you may need to click on the double arrow at the far right-end to show the other Add-ons.
3. Now in the "Skype add-on for IE" pop-up box click the Uninstall button to remove the Skype add-on from Internet Explorer.
4. In the Warning window, click OK to remove the Skype add-on from your computer.
5. The Skype add-on for IE will be fully removed after you reopen all IE windows!
6. Then a Windows install box will come up, click the Allow button.
7. You will then be asked to close Internet Explorer  (Choose Automatically or Do not close applications (A Reboot may be required).  Save any work that you may be working on, and then click OK.
8. The Skype toolbar add-on will the complete the uninstall and should be completely removed from Internet Explorer, once you open up IE.

A full restart may be desirable. 

 

If you're using Firefox and want to uninstall the add-on follow these steps:

1. Open Firefox -> go to Tools -> Add-ons -> in Extensions, find the Skype extension for Firefox and click Disable.
2. Then click the Restart Firefox button to complete your changes.

 

Turn Windows Defender Off

 

 

 

wscntfy.exe

is the Windows Security Center, introduced in Windows XP Service Pack 2. It displays a tray icon indicating the status of Windows updates, virus protection, and firewall. wscntfy.exe can be disabled by going to "Services" and disabling Security Center (this is not recommented).

 

 

 

 

Programs Left in Task Manager

• alg.exe Application Layer Gateway service is a component of of Windows OS. It is required if you use a third-party firewall or Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to connect to the internet. If you end this program using the Task Manager, you will lose all Internet connectivity until your next system restart or login.
• mmc.exe is the Microsoft Management Console application and is used to display various management plug-ins accessed from the Control Panel, such as the mmc.exe is the Microsoft Management Console application and is used to display various management plug-ins accessed from the Control Panel, such as the Device Manager.

 

Find out what is going on

• DiskMon
• Windows SysInternals
• Process Monitor

 

USB port may stop working after you remove or insert a USB device