What processes run before you see the desktop and how to control them

¿What processes run before you see the desktop? When you turn on a Windows PC, much more happens than what you see on the screen. Before you even reach the desktop, the system starts services, loads background processes, applies group policies, runs scripts, and prepares the environment for all users. Understanding this "behind the scenes" is key if you want your computers to run smoothly, if you manage a domain with Active Directory, or if you're simply annoyed by strange flashes or the fan running for no apparent reason.

In addition to internal Windows processes, there are all the processes launched by applications and the users themselves.And to make matters worse, many processes start running as soon as you log in, even before the desktop appears. In this article, we'll break down what happens at that moment, how to see what's running, how to differentiate between processes and services, how to monitor a computer's activity, and what you can safely close to gain some performance.

What happens before the desktop appears

Between pressing the power button and seeing the desktop there are several distinct phasesAt a very general level, the system goes through: booting the hardware and firmware, loading the boot loader, loading the Windows kernel, starting services, applying policies, and finally, loading the user profile and the shell (the desktop).

In domain environments with Active Directory, the exact moment when GPOs are applied becomes important.If you want to, for example, run a script (such as a .bat file that launches BGInfo) before the user sees the desktop, you have to play around with computer startup scripts and login scripts, as well as network wait options.

In Windows, the computer's startup scripts run before any user logs on.Login scripts, on the other hand, run after authentication but before the desktop fully loads. If your goal is for something to run literally "before the user sees anything," then it makes sense to use system startup scripts or services configured to start automatically.

Many of the "flashes" or white flashes you see on the screen while working are related to processes that open and close very quickly.These errors are sometimes related to background tasks, software checks, cloud synchronizations, or even notifications that don't fully appear. To find the culprit, you'll need to delve into the Event Viewer and the process monitoring tools we'll discuss later.

Process vs. Service in Windows: What Each One Is

In colloquial language we usually call everything that is underway in the system a "process".But it is important to distinguish between processes and services, especially when we talk about what starts before the desktop.

A process is, in essence, a program in execution.It can be in the foreground (like Word or your browser) or in the background without you seeing any window. It has its own identifier (PID), can create other child processes, and has a clear lifecycle: it starts, runs, and ends. You "kill" (terminate) a process when it stops responding or when you no longer need it.

A service is a special type of software designed to run in the background for an extended period.It typically starts with the system (before the user logs in), can remain active for hours or days, and can be started, stopped, paused, or restarted, but the term "killing" a service itself is not used. Just as a process can launch services, a service can also start helper processes.

This conceptual difference directly affects what happens before you see the desktopMost critical elements (network, login, security policies, domain services, etc.) depend on system services that start up before you can move a single desktop icon. Programs you add to user startup, however, load either immediately after the shell appears or in parallel.

If you're trying to run something like BGInfo on all machines before the user starts workingAn advanced option is to package it as a service or use a computer startup GPO that runs with system privileges and gets the job done before logon.

How to view processes and services graphically in Windows

The most direct way to see what's running when you suspect something is amiss is to use the Task Manager.You can open it in several ways: right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager", pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC, or running Taskmgr.exe from the Run window.

In the Processes tab you will see applications, background processes, and Windows processesAt a glance, you can distinguish the apps you've opened, the elements running behind the scenes, and the system's own infrastructure. Each entry shows you CPU, memory, disk, GPU, network usage, energy impact, and other details useful for detecting bottlenecks.

Modern browsers, for example, start multiple processesThere's one main process and others for each tab, extension, or GPU. In the process manager, you'll see a tree of processes that share the same image name but have different PIDs. This is key when you want to pinpoint which tab is consuming the most RAM or CPU.

If you switch to the Services tab in Task Manager, you can see the active and inactive services.along with its PID, description, status (Running or Stopped), and the group it belongs to. From there you can stop or start basic services, although for advanced management it is usually used services.msc, which opens the classic Windows services console.

In the services console (services.msc) you have additional information such as the startup type (Automatic, Manual, Disabled), the account under which the service runs, and its dependencies. This point is critical if you want something to run before the desktop loads: services set to automatic startup start during system boot, even if no one is logged in.

Detailed process control from the command line

When you want to go beyond Task Manager, the Windows console becomes your best ally.With just a few commands you can list, filter, export, monitor and kill processes, both on the local machine and on remote machines.

List processes with tasklist

The basic command to view processes is tasklistIf you run it without parameters in a CMD window, you will see a list with image name, PID, session name, session number, and memory usage for each running process.

From there you can start applying filters to find exactly what you're looking for.For example, if you want to locate processes whose PID contains a specific string (for example, 264), you can combine it with find:

Example 1: tasklist.exe /v | find /i "264"

You can also filter by memory usage, which is very useful for catching processes that have gone haywire.For example, list only processes whose memory usage is between 15000 and 19000 KB:

Example 2: tasklist /fi "memusage gt 15000" /fi "memusage lt 19000"

If you want to focus on a specific application, you can use its image name.For example, to see all Firefox processes, with extended details:

Example 3: tasklist.exe /v /fi "IMAGENAME eq firefox.exe"

Windows even allows you to chain commands together to list several things in a burst.For example, requesting the processes of notepad.exe and of firefox.exe:

Example 4: tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq notepad.exe" & tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq firefox.exe"

If you work with large volumes of data, it's useful to export the information in CSV format for analysis with Excel or scripts.For example, all processes whose PID is greater than 1000, in CSV format:

Example 5: tasklist /v /fi "PID gt 1000" /fo csv

You can redirect that output directly to a file, For example:

Example 6: tasklist /v /fi "PID gt 1000" /fo csv > file.csv

It is also possible to filter system or user processesFor example, to list only running processes that do not belong to the system account:

Example 7: tasklist /fi "USERNAME ne NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" /fi "STATUS eq running"

If you need a detailed picture of all active processesYou can pull from:

Example 8: tasklist /v /fi "STATUS eq running"

In environments with remote servers, tasklist It also works against other machinesFor example, to obtain the list of processes and services of a server called srvmain where they load modules that begin with ntdll:

Example 9: tasklist /s srvmain /svc /fi "MODULES eq ntdll*"

If the remote server requires specific credentials, you can pass them with /uy /p:

Example 10: tasklist /s srvmain /u maindom\hiropln /p p@ssW23

Other console tools: WMIC, query, and qprocess

In addition to tasklistWindows has other very practical utilities for dissecting processesOne of the most powerful is WMIC, the WMI command-line interface.

With WMIC You can obtain very detailed data, including the complete command line used to launch each process.For example, to export the names, commands, and PIDs of all processes to a text file:

Example 11: WMIC /OUTPUT:C:\procs.txt PROCESS get Caption,Commandline,Processid

Another interesting pair of commands are qprocess y query processThey basically do the same thing: display information about processes by session, user, etc. They are especially useful on Remote Desktop servers or in multi-user environments.

If you want to see the processes of all system sessions, enough with:

Example 12: query process *

And if you're interested in a specific session, for example ID 1:

Example 13: query process /ID:1

Terminate processes: taskkill and tskill

When a process gets stuck or consumes resources uncontrollably, it has to be removed by force.That's what they're for. taskkill y tskillwhich allow closing processes by PID or by name.

The syntax of taskkill It's quite flexible.because it lets you combine filters, kill multiple processes at once, and even act on remote computers. A basic example of closing a process by PID would be:

Example 14: taskkill /pid 1230

If you have multiple processes you want to close at once, you can repeat the /pid switch.:

Example 15: taskkill /pid 1230 /pid 1241 /pid 1253

You can also use filters similar to those of tasklist to load bulk processesFor example, terminate all processes with PID greater than or equal to 1000 by forcing closure:

Example 16: taskkill /f /fi "PID ge 1000" /im *

Another typical tactic is to terminate processes that are not responding.excluding any specific window. For example, kill everything listed as “NOT RESPONDING” except for anything with the window title “WhatsApp”:

Example 17: taskkill /F /FI "STATUS eq NOT RESPONDING" /FI "WINDOWTITLE ne WhatsApp"

As was the case with tasklist, taskkill It also allows operation on remote machines.passing the server name and credentials. For example, to close all processes whose name begins with “note” on a remote server:

Example 18: taskkill /s srvmain /u hostname\username /p p@ssW23 /fi "IMAGENAME eq note*" /im *

tskill It's a simpler version, useful when you only need to kill one of your processes. (unless you're an administrator, in which case you can do everything). To complete the process with ID 1230:

Example 19: tskill 1230

And if you want to close the File Explorer from a specific RDP sessionFor example, session 1:

Example 20: tskill explorer /id:1

Advanced service management with the sc command

If what you need to control are services (many of them start before the desktop), your go-to tool will be the command scIt is used to query, create, modify, start, stop and delete services both locally and remotely.

Among the most commonly used suborders of sc are query, start, stop, pause, delete, create y descriptionThat covers practically the entire lifespan of a service.

For example, to create a new service called "NewService" that runs a specific EXE on automatic startup:

Example 21: sc create NuevoServicio binpath= c:\windows\system32\NuevoServicio.exe start= auto

If you want to do it on a remote server, you just need to precede it with the hostname.:

Example 22: sc create \\miservidor NuevoServicio binpath= c:\windows\system32\NuevoServicio.exe start= auto

To start it manually:

Example 23: sc start NuevoServicio

With sc query You can list active services or all existing onesFor example, running services:

Example 24: sc query
sc query type= service

If you also want to include those who are detained:

Example 25: sc query state= all

And to consult a specific service in detail:

Example 26: sc query NuevoServicio

If you are interested in interactive services (which can display a user interface):

Example 27: sc query type= service type= interact

Removing a service is just as straightforward, provided it is not running:

Example 28: sc delete NuevoServicio

Identify processes with administrator permissions

In a system loaded with processes, it is useful to know which ones are running with elevated privileges.These are precisely the ones that can cause the most havoc if something goes wrong, or the ones you should check when you see strange behavior or serious performance drops.

In the Details view of Task Manager, you can add a column called “Elevated”. This feature immediately tells you which processes have administrator privileges. To activate it, right-click on any column header, choose "Select Columns," and check the "Elevated" box. After applying the setting, you'll see a new column with "Yes" or "No" values.

Processes marked as “Yes” have a much greater capacity for control over the systemSince they run as administrator or system accounts, if something crashes, consumes all resources, or starts behaving suspiciously, that's the first place to look; sometimes you'll see errors related to administrator permissions that help identify privilege problems.

However, you cannot change the permission level of a process that has already started on the fly.If you need an application to run as administrator, you will have to close it and reopen it with "Run as administrator" or by changing how it is launched (shortcut, scheduled task, GPO, etc.).

Impact of processes on Windows performance

All the processes that accumulate, both from the system and from third-party applications, share CPU, RAM, disk, network, and battery resources.When one of them spikes and consumes 100% of a resource, the entire system can become slow or even freeze.

The Task Manager lets you see in detail who is consuming what.CPU percentage, memory usage, disk activity, network speed, battery impact, etc. Together with the Startup tab, which shows which programs launch at login, you get a good picture of what's loading right before and right after you see the desktop.

Windows processes that run as administrator are often critical to stability.So, normally it's best not to touch them unless you're sure what you're doing. If you detect a third-party app consuming excessive resources, then it's reasonable to terminate it or even uninstall the application if the problem persists.

Often, intermittent crashes or bursts in resource usage are related to scheduled tasks, updaters, cloud services, indexers, and the like.Hence the importance of knowing what is running before the desktop and what is added to the user's startup, so you can cut out what you don't need.

External programs for controlling Windows processes

Although Task Manager has improved a lot, there are third-party utilities that offer a more convenient or more powerful view.They're not going to give you magical data that doesn't already exist, but they will give you another way of seeing and handling it.

Process Explorer

Process Explorer is a very popular Microsoft tool for viewing processes in detail.It displays all active processes, their full hierarchy, real-time CPU usage, ID, user, description, path, loaded DLLs, and more. It allows you to terminate, suspend, and restart processes, view complete trees, and easily change priorities.

It is especially useful for locating which processes are triggered at startup or just after login.as well as to understand why a process doesn't close on the first try. Furthermore, being a Microsoft product, it's specifically designed to thoroughly dissect Windows.

System Explorer

System Explorer is another long-standing alternative to Task ManagerIts interface focuses on clearly displaying resource consumption by processes, programs, and services, and allows you to terminate processes, modify priorities, and even perform small security audits.

If you want better control over what's running without struggling with Taskmgr's viewsIt's an interesting option, especially when you're looking for processes that load in the background and aren't immediately obvious.

Nagios XI

Nagios XI moves away from the domestic environment and fully enters the professional sphere.It is a very complete monitoring solution for networks, servers and workstations, based on the open source project Nagios, but with a commercial and more user-friendly version.

It allows monitoring Windows and Linux machines and servers, displaying the status of processes, services, and applications on a centralized panel.If something freezes or its usage indicates problems, you'll be notified via configurable alerts. Although there's no native Windows executable, it can be deployed through virtual machines and agents to provide visibility across the entire infrastructure.

Sysinternals Process Explorer / Sysinternals Suite

Under the Sysinternals umbrella, Microsoft groups together a set of free monitoring tools for WindowsIn addition to Process Explorer, it includes utilities for checking boot processes, disk access, network access, logs, and much more.

Its interface is usually divided into panels.At the top you see the active processes, and at the bottom, details of the selected process (modules, open handles, etc.), along with graphs of CPU and memory usage over time. It's an essential toolkit if you manage Windows systems professionally.

Which processes can you close with relative peace of mind?

In everyday life, beyond investigating flashes or hang-ups, many people just want to know what can close without breaking anythingFrom the Task Manager you can terminate many processes to free up RAM and some CPU, with certain precautions.

The first and most obvious thing: the applications that you yourself have opened.If an app has remained running in the background after you close the window, or if you no longer need it, you can easily end its process from Taskmgr. It will relaunch when you open it again.

Gaming-related services (such as Gaming Services, game bar, Xbox app) are another common candidateIf you're not going to play games and are just working, you can close them to free up some space. If the system needs them later, Windows will restart them.

The News & Interests widget in the taskbar is another process that many find unnecessary.It doesn't use too much data, but if you never watch those news stories, you can close it without worry; if you turn it back on at any point, it will start again.

OneDrive and other in-memory cloud services can also be stopped if you're not going to sync anything.When you close the process, the files you've already downloaded will remain on your disk, but you'll stop syncing changes until you reopen the client.

Small integrated utilities such as the Calculator or the Groove Music player sometimes keep processes active "just in case"You can close them and they will relaunch the next time you open the app.

The CTF Loader process (ctfmon.exe) handles alternative input methods such as touch keyboard, dictation, or handwriting. If you're using a keyboard and mouse and not using those methods, you can temporarily close it. It will reload when the system needs it.

You can also close duplicate processes in applications you're not using.Browsers with many open tabs, email clients you don't want to keep running, etc. If you're not actively using that app, closing its processes is perfectly reasonable.

Phone Link is another candidate for hibernation if you're not interested in seeing phone notifications on your PC.Once the process is complete, the integration will pause until you reopen the app.

Many programs include processes dedicated solely to searching for and applying updates in the background.Except for the Defender updater and other security-related updates, most can be stopped without serious consequences: they will simply check for updates later or when you open the program. If you're interested in this behavior, check out guides on Windows Update downloads but does not install.

Basic ways to monitor PC activity

In addition to the ecosystem of processes and services, many companies and administrators need to know how each piece of equipment is actually used.This can track what is opened, what is being browsed, when the device is turned on, when a USB device is connected, etc. This can be done with standard Windows tools or with specific monitoring software.

Without third-party tools

To see which files have recently been opened on a computer you have physical access toYou can also use the Recent Items folder. Press the Windows key, type "Run", press Enter, type Reciente A window will open displaying recently edited files. Sorting by "Date modified" will give you a quick overview of recent activity.

If what you want to check is the browsing historyOpen the corresponding browser and press CTRL + H. A list of visited pages will appear. You will need to repeat this in each installed browser. Note that anything done in private browsing mode will not be reflected here.

To check when the computer has been turned on or certain power eventsTo check, open the Start menu, type "Event", open the Event Viewer, go to "Windows Logs" > "System", and filter by the "Power-Troubleshooter" source. There you will see information about power-ups, wake-ups, and other events.

In editions like Windows 10 Professional, you can enable login auditing. In the Local Security Policy Editor or in Group Policy Objects (GPOs), you can log who logged in, when, and from where. You can also audit USB device usage and access to specific files via audit policies.

With specialized monitoring software

When managing remote teams or large workforces, manually checking each PC becomes impracticalIn these cases, monitoring solutions such as Insightful or similar ones come into play, automating data collection and analysis.

Applications of this type record used applications and websites, generate detailed timesheets, and can take periodic screenshots.This way, no relevant activity is missed, and you can better understand how work time is being spent, what resources are in excess, or if there are high-risk uses.

They also include modules for detecting dangerous behaviors.Access to dubious web resources, opening of sensitive files by unauthorized users, mass transfer of data to USB drives, etc. All this information is recorded for possible forensic analysis in the event of a security incident.

Another important point is the tracking of active, inactive, and rest timeThese programs typically distinguish when the user is interacting with the computer, when they are paused, and when they have simply left, helping to detect potential overload, disorganization, or even burnout.

Before implementing solutions of this type, it is advisable to understand and assess the perception of the staff.In small teams and always in the office, traditional methods may suffice, but in large organizations or with almost mandatory teleworking, without a centralized monitoring system, manual supervision becomes unfeasible.

With everything that happens “under the hood” of Windows before you see the desktop, from critical services, background processes, startup applications, and group policies, understanding and mastering these tools allows you to diagnose strange flashes, define what runs at startup, decide which processes you can calmly close, and generally have real control over computer activity both at the individual level and across enterprise networks.