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WinTasks 5 ProfessionalArticle Published By Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP
...No wonder it's OFTEN dubbed Windows Task Manager on steroids!
Here is a "test" for you...
NOW try this: # Click on a process and read a description about what it is and does... (very important for spotting viruses, Trojans etc!) ...Nope, can't do that... NOW try this: # Click on a process and find out every driver/.DLL that runs as part of it...(very important for troubleshooting!) ...Nope, can't do that... NOW try this: # Click on a process and BLOCK IT... (very important for dealing with "suspected" viruses, Trojans etc!) ..Nope, can't do that either... # How about the ability to write scripts? No.... # How about an updateable process library? No... # How about easy access to executable properties? No... # How about a log showing a timeline of processes starting and stopping? No... Kind of makes you wonder why we still use Windows Task Manager! Fortunately Uniblue Systems Limited have a replacement that does ALL of the above... So Lets Take A Tour Of Wintasks 5 Professional (NB - I
have created a small video of Wintasks 5 Professional and its The Main Window When you run Wintasks 5 Professional it opens as a large window on your screen and also places itself in the system tray. (It is from the latter that you can control the program.) The main program window is made up of three horizontal sections. - Menu Buttons - Process Window - Process Details & Comments By clicking on a particular process in the "Process Window" the information about it is then displayed below in the "Process Details" section. (see Fig 1.) You can also click the "Process Library" button on the main menu and the information will be provided in a pop up window. (see Fig 2.)
Fig 1 - Wintasks Pro Main Screen
Fig 2 - The Process Library
Finding The .DLL's A "process" is program code that has been loaded into memory. Each program has certain resources that are assigned or required by the program. Each program can have several processes too. Wintasks 5 Professional has a great feature that allows you to examine what .DLL files and drivers are being used by a particular process on your system. (see Fig 3.) I really appreciate
this feature when investigating possible malware, adware etc...
Fig 3 - DLL List
CPU and Memory Statistics The statistics monitor allows you to see both the system and individual CPU/Memory usage. The reason I like this is that I can see exactly just how much system resources are being used and then compare this against an individual process. And all this in a visually informative way (see Fig 4).
Fig 4 - CPU & Memory Statistics
Start A Program If you are using Wintasks 5 professional to provide some troubleshooting assistance then you will appreciate the ability to start any program from "within" this software. No need to navigate to the start menu and then lose the current focus on Wintasks! (see Fig 5.)
Fig 5 - Start A Program Scripting In Wintasks 5 Professional This software comes with its own scripting language. This gives you the ability to create completely new functions and to automate the handling of processes/resources. For example it is possible to allow Wintasks to automatically increase the priority of Windows Media Player when it loads, stop all processes using more than 80% of the memory or stop the web browser when visiting a certain website. Scripting can be dangerous in the hands of the complete novice so be warned! ...And So Much More! There is still so much to discover about Wintasks 5 Professional. The best way to find this out for yourself is to take the software for a test drive! In addition you may want to read some of the free and informative "white papers" on the company website too. For more product information from the company website: http://www.updatexp.com/WinTasks ------------------------------
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Kind Regards
Marc Liron -
Bio Other Websites By Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP News and Articles on Windows Vista: My Techie Blog: My Windows Technology Newsletter
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