processes to stop b4 installing new pgms

[lmc]

I just clean installed XP Pro and am ready to install my
other software. Which processes can I stop/exit before I
install new software? In ME and 98 I would cancel
everything but systray and explorer. In XP Pro, there
is a lot more running and I don't know what I can safely
stop.

Every piece of software tells you to quit all windows
programs before installing, but I can't find anything on
the net that says what is safe to quit and what you
should leave running in XP! Didn't find anything in the
MS Knowledge Base, either.

Help!!

[Diggy]

Maybe if you're fanatical about it you could do a clean boot (this is
explained on Microsofts knowledge base site). I usually just try to make
sure I shut off my anti-virus software, and that I close all other windows.
But I haven't had a problem yet as a result of NOT shutting down my
anti-virus program before installing something. (It's Pc-cillin.)


"lmc" > wrote in message
...
> I just clean installed XP Pro and am ready to install my
> other software. Which processes can I stop/exit before I
> install new software? In ME and 98 I would cancel
> everything but systray and explorer. In XP Pro, there
> is a lot more running and I don't know what I can safely
> stop.
>
> Every piece of software tells you to quit all windows
> programs before installing, but I can't find anything on
> the net that says what is safe to quit and what you
> should leave running in XP! Didn't find anything in the
> MS Knowledge Base, either.
>
> Help!!

[Sharon F]

lmc wrote:
> I just clean installed XP Pro and am ready to install my
> other software. Which processes can I stop/exit before I
> install new software? In ME and 98 I would cancel
> everything but systray and explorer. In XP Pro, there
> is a lot more running and I don't know what I can safely
> stop.
>
> Every piece of software tells you to quit all windows
> programs before installing, but I can't find anything on
> the net that says what is safe to quit and what you
> should leave running in XP! Didn't find anything in the
> MS Knowledge Base, either.
>
> Help!!

I just close programs with open windows before installing software.
Sometimes I disable my antivirus program as well (after scanning the install
media for viruses). I usually make a Restore Point in System Restore as
well, even though many of the newer programs will duplicate this step during
the installation. If the software install goes south, I can uninstall it and
use my Restore Point to get back to where I started.

The many processes running in Task Manager are mostly system items. Many
were present in ME and 98. There just wasn't a tool in those Windows
renditions to show you the status of these parts of the operating system.


--
Sharon F
Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User