Identify mysterious Windows processes

Ever wondered what the multiple svchost.exe or other generic process listed in Windows XP's task manager are used for? Next time you need to stop or restart a stalled process try this: Open the command prompt by typing "cmd" from the "start/run" window. In the command prompt type "tasklist /svc". This will list your processes and the programs that are using them.

In Vista or Windows 7 it's much simpler. Go to the Task manager, right click on the process, and click "go to services". This will detail which programs are being used by the particular service.