Common reason for a slow running computer

Is having too many applications (or processes) running in the background. Most of the running applications come from applications running at Windows startup and silently hiding in the background churning away using those precious processor cycles. Want to know whats running and what is safe to kill? Read on...

What is currently running or will run at startup:
AutoRuns: The most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them.

How to watch for applications trying to register to run automatically:
StartupMonitor: A small utility that runs transparently (it doesn't even use a tray icon) and notifies you when any program registers itself to run at system startup. It prevents annoying programs from registering themselves behind your back.

What is safe to kill:
Process Library: One of the best active databases to find out what is what and what is safe to remove from the startup process.