• Around The HomeToggle Menu

    • Entertainment
    • Productivity
    • Smart Home
  • FamilyToggle Menu

    • Parenting
    • Toys
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • ReviewsToggle Menu

    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Desktops
    • Wearables
    • Audio
    • Cameras
    • Headphones
    • Printers
    • Smart Home
    • TVs
    • Gaming and Video
  • One Cool ThingToggle Menu

    • Frugal Tech
    • Kickstarters
    • Videos
  1. Home
  2. Around The Home
  3. Productivity
  4. How to Delete Programs Running in the Background

How to Delete Programs Running in the Background

By: Gregory Hamel
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

When a computer runs programs in the background it can slow down computing speed. The more processes a computer runs at the same time, the slower the computer's performance is likely to be. Eliminating background processes by shutting them down or deleting the programs that cause them can help improve computing speed. It is often best to simply end background processes rather than fully uninstall the programs that cause them, but in some cases you may wish to eliminate unused programs that waste processing power.

Businesswoman using laptop computer
credit: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Ending Background Processes

Step

Hold down the "Control," "Alt" and "Delete" keys at the same time to call up the task manager.

Step

Click on the "Processes" tab.

Step

Search through the processes list, highlight any entry for unnecessary programs by left clicking on it, and then click "End Process." Typically processes designated "System" are ones that you should not end as they are required to make your computer run properly. Only end processes for programs that you know you do not need.

Video of the Day

Step

Make a list of the programs associated with the processes that you end so that you can delete the underlying programs later on. Check the "Description" column for more detailed information about processes.

Uninstalling Programs

Step

Click "Start," "Control Panel," and then "Add/Remove Programs."

Step

Refer to the list you created in step 4 of section 1 and find the programs in the Add/Remove programs list.

Step

Right click on any program in the list and select "Uninstall," to delete it from your computer. It is best only to remove programs that you no longer use. For others, simply ending the processes they run will be adequate to reduce their impact on computing speed while reserving the ability to run the program later on if you need it.

Show Comments

Related Articles

How to Reduce Memory Usage

How to Reduce Memory Usage

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Gregory Hamel
How to Clean Up Windows Task Manager

How to Clean Up Windows Task Manager

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Andrew Tennyson
How to Turn Off Programs Running in the Background of My Computer

How to Turn Off Programs Running in the Background of My Computer

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Tim Mammadov
How to Find a List of Applications on Your Computer

How to Find a List of Applications on Your Computer

Around The Home
Productivity
By: John Grossman
What Affects the Speed of a Computer?

What Affects the Speed of a Computer?

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Megan Sayers
How to Tell If Your Computer Is Bugged

How to Tell If Your Computer Is Bugged

Around The Home
Productivity
By: TS Jordan
  • HOW WE SCORE
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COPYRIGHT POLICY
  • Advertise

An error occurred. Try again later.

Thanks for signing up!
© 2019 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get great tech advice delivered to your inbox.

Keep your family productive, connected, entertained, and safe.

Please enter a valid email.