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IT FAQs

Processes in Windows XP

Windows XP runs numerous processes. To view them, open Task Manager and go to the Process tab. While several of these processes are self-explanatory, the majority of them are not.

Here's a short description of some XP processes:

• Csrss.exe: The Client Server Runtime Subsystem process, also known as the Win32 subsystem, generates a worker thread for client requests.
• Explorer.exe: This process is the user interface/default Windows shell.
• Iexplorer.exe: This process is the built-in Web browser.
• Inetinfo.exe: The Internet Information Services (IIS) process is Microsoft's Web server.
• Lsass.exe: The Local Security Authentication Server process receives authentication requests from Winlogon and calls the appropriate authentication package.
• Mdm.exe: The Machine Debug Manager is a support process for debugging.
• Msmsgs.exe: The Microsoft Windows Messenger process is the built-in instant messaging application.
• Services.exe: The Service Control Manager process is responsible for starting, stopping, and interacting with system services.
• Smss.exe: The Session Manager Subsystem is the first user mode process that's created. It's responsible for the initial launch of other subsystem processes.
• Svchost.exe: This is a placeholder process, or Service Host, where all DLL-based services execute.
• System: The System process contains the majority of the kernel-mode system threads.
• System Idle Process: This process runs when no other process is executing.
• Winlogon.exe: The logon process handles interactive user logons and logoffs.

This list includes processes that are found on most computers, but it's not exhaustive.