Temporarily disable all background processes and updates

paddyb

New Member
Messages
8
I want to play an HD video though a projector on my laptop. The laptop plays it fine, but I'm worried about things like Windows updates, virus scans and other processes suddenly slowing it down or displaying messages on the screen while the audience are watching it. I know how to disable some of these things manually, but its easy to forget something and I was just wondering if there is some sort of "minimal" mode where only the bare essentials are running? For reasons I won't bore you with, burning to DVD or Blu Ray will not work in this instance, a hardware media player might, but I want to explore this option first.

Thanks in advance!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Boot a Linux Live CD with a video player. There may even be a Linux distro optimized for the purpose. Check out DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

Thanks for your reply. So you're recomending running this version of Linux as its designed for low spec machines? Will it still handle HD video ok? Would the fact that Linux might need to access stuff off the CD while the film is playing lead to a potential bottleneck?

Going back to a Windows solution (the laptop is running Win 7 btw), would changing the priority of windows media player, VLC to Above Normal or High help?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro
I want to play an HD video though a projector on my laptop. The laptop plays it fine, but I'm worried about things like Windows updates, virus scans and other processes suddenly slowing it down or displaying messages on the screen while the audience are watching it. I know how to disable some of these things manually, but its easy to forget something and I was just wondering if there is some sort of "minimal" mode where only the bare essentials are running? For reasons I won't bore you with, burning to DVD or Blu Ray will not work in this instance, a hardware media player might, but I want to explore this option first.

Thanks in advance!
Maintenance will not work while computer is doing other things so there's practically no chance that anything like that will happen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
So you're recomending running this version of Linux as its designed for low spec machines? Will it still handle HD video ok? Would the fact that Linux might need to access stuff off the CD while the film is playing lead to a potential bottleneck?

I'm not recommending any version of Linux. I'm recommending DistroWatch as a good resource to find specialized Linux Distros
.
When Linux is running you may be able to mount the partition on the Windows HD to read the media file. For media conversion/playback/tools I recommend VideoHelp - Forum, Guides, Software and DVD lists.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
I normally do not recommend programs like this: Download Toolwiz GameBoost - MajorGeeks because they do not boost performance but you may be able to use one of them for your purpose. They shut down non critical services which cam interfere with games (and maybe those programs you use for presentation) and if you are not connected to internet at same time not much else should run.
Although, I don't think you have to worry, even Bill Gates and that Apple ceo had their presentations interrupted by blue screens and system crashes while presenting to whole world.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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