What Processes are Necessary for Windows XP?

Brickwall asks: "I studied electrical engineering in university (30 years ago, mind!), so I'm not completely stupid about computers. However, I have searched and searched, and been unable to find an answer to this question: if you start up Windows XP from scratch, what processes should be running? I have some P2P software running, so I know I'll have to shut that down, plus my spyware protection, anti-virus software, etc. But what should be left running? Is this documented somewhere that I've been unable to find?"

Comments

Re:Very few are neccessary

[grammar fascist]

For example, if I kill this "System" process, nothing bad will happ

That was freakin' amazing! How did you get your web browser to hit the "Submit" button just before the "System" process died?

Is that, like, a new Mozilla plugin you can use to help you make funny posts on Slashdot? 'Cuz I wa