task manager

A new approach to computer processing could double speeds while halving power consumption, according to researchers. The approach could work on existing hardware without needing physical modifications. The research builds on the existing technique ... of multithreading. That's an attempt to overcome the major limitation of computer processors (CPUs). They are broken down into cores (often 2, 4 or 8 cores) but each core can only carry out one task at any specific split-second. Workload Optimized Threading means breaking bigger tasks down into a list of individual steps known as a thread. The ... (view more)

The Windows 11 taskbar will soon have a quick option to kill a task or process. It's something users currently need to do by opening Task Manager. The precise terminology of stopping Windows doing something has changed over the years, with terms ... including programs, applications, tasks and processes. The actual distinctions don't really matter that much to the average user, but they include whether the issue is with Windows itself or an application. They also depend on whether the user is trying to stop an entire application or simply one of multiple things it is doing, such as running ... (view more)

Windows 11 will soon give users extra controls to stop applications hogging resources. The Task Manager change will help users balance performance and control. The new Efficiency Mode works in a similar way to power-saving mode on some PCs and ... mobile devices, though in this case the emphasis is on the processor. At the moment, users have several options for dealing with "greedy" applications but they all involve compromises. One option is to put the entire computer into a "Best Power Efficiency" option through the power mode settings. The problem is that this affects all ... (view more)

Microsoft is to warn Windows 10 users when an app will start up automatically when they start their computer. The move is designed to prevent the start up process being slowed down against the user's wishes. Users already have the ability to ... manually decide whether an app starts up automatically when they switch on their computer. The change is to the way apps are set when they are originally installed. Which apps should start up automatically is a balancing act. With some it's important to start up automatically for functionality purposes, such as having anti-malware software running right ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Jack F. writes: " Dear Dennis, My Edge web browser randomly displays a security alert stating that 'The server www[dot]mariopullmesdas.info is asking for your user name and password. The page reports an error code of 0x80070424, ... then says that my 'Activation key is damaged'. To fix the problem I need to call the Microsoft Help Desk at (855)-684-9323. A computer generated voice says that my computer will keep restarting every few minutes if I don't fix the problem and that my personal data is at risk. What do I do? " My response: This is a web browser fake tech support scam ... (view more)

Scammers have found a new trick that "locks up" a user's browser in an attempt to panic them into paying a bogus fee. Fortunately there's a simple way to get around the problem. The technique is the latest variant on a well-established scam in which ... compromised websites show bogus error messages claiming the computer has been infected with a virus. The user is encouraged to call a "tech support hotline," (usually in India) then tricked into making a credit card payment to the scammers to supposedly fix the problem. In some cases, scammers demand remote access to the computer and ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Susan S. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just read your article ' How to Fix: Constant Spinning Cursor (Circle) in Windows ' - I have a similar problem! I own an Asus x551 laptop with Windows 10. The mouse pointer constantly spins with a ... blue circle every other second, and I can't figure out why this is happening. I thought perhaps I had a virus, so I formatted the computer - but it did nothing to stop the spinning blue circle. I am going crazy. Can you help? " My response: I asked Susan if she would like me to connect to her machine using my remote desktop service and she agreed ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Bill W. writes: " Dear Dennis, I recently upgraded to Windows 10; prior to that I was running Windows 7. In both Windows 7 and 10 I have this extremely annoying issue where the mouse exhibits a constant spinning circle (cursor) - ... as if the system is busy doing something. The spinning circle goes on all day long; it pops up for a few seconds, then disappears, and then maybe 30 seconds to a minute later it will pop up again. The spinning blue circle / mouse pointer happens even if the system is idle. I would like to get this fixed and am willing to pay to have you remote into ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Jean G. writes: " Dear Dennis I just upgraded to Windows 10. Every time my computer restarts, I receive the error message that ' There was a problem starting c:\windows\system32\logilda.dll / The specified module could not be ... found .' I actually had this message before I upgraded to Windows 10 but I was hoping that the upgrade would have fixed it. Based on what I read, the logilda.dll is a file related to my Logitech keyboard and mouse. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program multiple times but I still get the error. Can you please help! " My response: I have not had ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Mike B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I run a Windows Server 2003 box that has been fine until two days ago. Now, my CPU usage is 100% with multiple 'Update_Windows.exe' processes running. I've deleted the Update_Windows.exe tasks in ... Task Manager, but it keeps propagating. I did a virus scan, but it did not find anything; Malwarebytes antimalware also is not reporting anything. Prior to the infection, I installed the emergency May 2017 update to avoid the Windows SMB exploit / WannaCry ransomware infection . I understand Windows Server 2003 is no longer supported by Microsoft and ... (view more)