What are the best ways to manage Windows services and processes for optimal performance?

3 Use Command Prompt or PowerShell

Command Prompt and PowerShell are powerful tools that allow you to manage Windows services and processes using commands and scripts. You can access them by typing cmd or powershell in the Run dialog box or the search box. You can use various commands and parameters to perform different tasks, such as listing, starting, stopping, restarting, or querying the status of services and processes. For example, you can use the net start or net stop commands to start or stop a service by its name, or the tasklist or taskkill commands to list or kill a process by its name or ID. You can also use the get-service or stop-service cmdlets in PowerShell to perform similar actions. You can also use the help or /? options to get more information about each command or cmdlet.

4 Use Third-Party Tools

Third-party tools are software applications that offer more features and functionality than the built-in tools for managing Windows services and processes. Some of these tools are free, while others are paid or have trial versions. Some of the advantages of using third-party tools are that they may provide more detailed information, more options, more automation, more customization, and more user-friendliness than the built-in tools. Some of the examples of third-party tools are Process Explorer, Process Hacker, Process Lasso, Service Manager Plus, and Service Control Manager. However, you should be careful to download and use these tools from reputable sources and scan them for malware before installing them on your system.

5 Follow Best Practices

To manage your Windows services and processes for optimal performance, it's important to monitor your system regularly and identify any unusual resource consumption. Research any unfamiliar services or processes to determine their purpose and impact on system performance and security. You should also disable or stop any unnecessary services or processes, while backing up the system and creating a restore point before making any changes. Adjust the priority of important or time-sensitive services to ensure they get enough resources and don't interfere with other tasks. Configure the startup type of services to match your usage and preferences, and update your system and applications regularly. Additionally, avoid running too many services or processes at once, as well as closing unused or idle applications or windows. By following these best practices, you can improve system efficiency and reliability.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?