Windows Task Manager

[JCat]

Does anyone know how many processes are acceptable to be running when you start your computer? I have around 45 and it seems like a lot to me. I'm not sure what they all are so I don't want to end any of them in case they are important.

[Miz]

You can look them up starting on this page. They're sorted alphabetically.

Every user has different requirements for what they want loading on startup. Once you identify each one on the list using the above site, you can decide which Windows must have, which you need and which you can do without.

[Rainbow32]

This free program will give you info on what program is using which process and will help in your decision making on what is needed or not needed. Usually if you find a program related to a process, say iTunes for example, that's constantly running in the background sucking up system resources, then you can remove this program from startup. Then use it as needed.
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html