Managing Software on Windows Vista - Viewing and Managing Currently Running Programs
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Software Explorer is a handy tool for working with your computer’s programs. You can start Software Explorer by clicking Start -> All Programs -> Windows Defender. On the Windows Defender toolbar, click Tools -> Software Explorer.
As shown in Figure 4-10, you can use Software Explorer to view and manage your computer’s currently running programs and processes by selecting Currently Running Programs on the Category list. In the Name list, Software Explorer lists programs by name according to the software publisher. The process ID number of the main process under which the program is running follows the program name.
Figure 4-10. Viewing currently running programs
You can use Software Explorer to work with your running programs in several ways. You can view details about a running program’s configuration by clicking the program in the left pane. Table 4-1 provides an overview of the summary details provided for running programs.
Table 4-1. An overview of configuration details for running programs
| Configuration aspect | Description |
| Auto Start | Lists whether the program is configured as a startup program |
| Classification | Lists the classification of the executable file as either permitted or not permitted |
| Date Installed | Lists the date and time that the file was installed |
| Description | Lists a description of the application |
| Digitally Signed By | Lists the company that digitally signed the program’s executable file |
| Display Name | Lists the application name that Windows Vista uses |
| File Name | Lists the executable filename |
| File Path | Lists the complete file path to the executable file |
| File Size | Lists the size of the executable file in bytes |
| File Type | Lists the type of file listed in the File Name field, such as whether a file is an application file or an application extension file |
| File Version | Lists the version and revision numbers of the executable file |
| Process ID | Lists the ID number of the main process under which the program is running |
| Publisher | Lists the company that published the software |
| Ships with Operating System | Lists whether the executable file ships with the operating system |
| User Name | Lists the name of the user or system account under which the program is running |
You can also use Software Explorer to stop a program, which may be necessary, for instance, if a program is not responding and you want to quit the program. While you can view and work with currently running programs you started, you must have administrator permission to view and work with running programs started by other user or system accounts. To view currently running programs for other users and the operating system, click “Show for all users.” When prompted, provide consent or credentials. You’ll then be able to view and work with all running programs and processes.
When you select a program or process in the left pane, you can terminate the process by clicking End Process and then clicking Yes when prompted to confirm the action. When you click the Task Manager button, Windows Vista opens Task Manager. You can also open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete.
As Figure 4-11 shows, Task Manager has two tabs for working with running programs:
Applications
Lists applications you are currently running by name and status, such as Running or Not Responding. To exit a program, click the program in the Task list and then click End Task.
Processes
Lists all programs and processes you are running on the computer by image name, your username, and resource usage. To stop a process, click the process and then click End Process.
Figure 4-11. Accessing processes in Task Manager
By default, Task Manager’s Processes tab shows only your running processes. To see running processes for all users, you must click “Show processes from all users” and provide consent or credentials when prompted. You’ll then see all processes running on the computer. You will also be able to right-click processes and select from an extended list of management options, including:
Open File Location
Opens the folder containing the executable file for
the process in Windows Explorer
End Process Tree
Stops the process and all dependent processes
Create Dump File
Creates a memory dump file for the selected process
Properties
Opens the Properties dialog box for the executable
file
Please check back next week for the conclusion to this article.
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 This article is excerpted from chapter four of Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide, written by William R. Stanek (O'Reilly, 2007; ISBN: 0596528000). Check it out today at your favorite bookstore. Buy this book now.
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