Recommended Posts

Here's a quick install routine I've created that puts the ProcessIdleTasks command on your XP Pro/Home right-pane start menu. This install routine relies on xcopy, and WSH (Windows Scripting host). Some antivirus programs will halt scripts, so if it doesn't work for you, that may be why. You can disable script blocking for this install or choose to allow scripts at any prompts. Please disregard the negative criticism posted below, it's mostly unfounded. Once it's installed, The ProcessIdleTasks API is called from advapi32.dll via a vbscript file when you click the gear icon. Not sure what Process Idle Tasks does? Search Google and find out. Or read the brief explaination.txt below. An uninstall routine is included through the batch file Install.bat and choosing U for uninstall. Instructions are included. The icon pictured in the image below, is now the same as the one included with the install. This is freeware whith no license. Use at your own risk. Note: This package is virus free. It is simply a self extracting zip file, and nothing gets installed without your permission. Update: PIT.exe has been updated on 10/31/2004. Fixed a script file in the install routine that would execute a "lock workstation" command rather than a reboot when clicked. Fixed a file copy incompatability. Changed param1 from REG_SZ to REG_EXPAND_SZ using %SystemRoot%\system32\ rather than an exact path for compatabiltity with non default windows installation paths. 7/17/2006, added a new icon to reflect what's shown in the example image below. Download file: PIT.exe 121kb

stmenu.jpg

Process_idle_tasks_explaintion.txtFetching info...

Edited by samxt

ooooo thankyou samxt.. this is great! Well done!

for those of you too lazy to google lol

  Quote
What does Process Idle Tasks do?

This command will force the OS to process all idle tasks. If your PC is never idle these tasks will never run. One of the tasks that Windows XP performs during idle times is the optimization of the files needed to start the OS. These files will be re-arranged on the disk and match the exact order they are loaded during startup. This list is in C:\Windows\Prefetch\Layout.ini.

Why do I need to use Process Idle Tasks?

Optimised and improved startup times

:D

  psgamer0921 said:
You just took that from the User Guide forum, and it doesn't even work for half of the people here...

584781698[/snapback]

Actually the Install routine that I've created for this command cannot be found anywhere but in this post. And there are actually two tweaks that make this work. The first is the branding windows XP article from TweakXp.com. And the second is Not really a tweak per se, but just knowledge of the ProcessIdleTaksks command that I learned about a long time ago somewhere other than Neowin. Then I just threw some batch files and vbscript files together to copy the files and add registry entries, then posted it here for anyone to try if they want. I make no claim that it will work for everyone, and I'm not going to go into the technical details as to why this doesn't work for everybody. But it has been tested on a few XP pro and Home machines, all with success. Of course, you can always invoke the ProcessIdleTasks command manually via the run dialog box if you want.

rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

  djsaad1 said:
what visual style are you using. that looks pretty cool

584781712[/snapback]

I believe the theme (Visual Style) I'm using is called Ivorance, and probably got it at http://www.themexp.org/ a long time ago.

Themes should not affect the display of this icon.

It sounds like the maybe the files were not for some odd reason copied to C:\windows\system32. or your %SystemRoot%\system32\ folder

Go to C:\Program Files\Process Idle Tasks\ and manually copy the files " ProcessIdleTasks.vbs" and gear.ico to: %SystemRoot%\system32. Reboot or To see new icons and sizes without rebooting go to Display\Appearance\Advanced\change Item to Icon, then make a chnge to icon size down or up a notch then back, click OK, and then apply to see the new icon on the start menu.

You could try or do this: Go to the following Registry key and edit the path of the default icon value to any you wish? This is the key:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon]

Upon trying to figure out how to possibly solve this problem, I have changed all references, and file copy command paths that read C:\Windows\System32\ to %SystemRoot%\System32\ for compatibility of non default Windows installations in an effort to alleviate some of these problems. I will post another updated PIT.exe file soon. It will be available through the original download link above.

Edited by samxt

OK slimy. If you ever want to run the command without enabling scripts, just copy and paste this command in the run box.

rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

With my antivirus software, I can allow scripts that I know are safe, you just have to configure it to prompt you when a script runs on your system. Once you authorize the script, it will be allowed from then on., just the ones you authorize.

a batch file will do it also, and not be interpeted as a script, but the batch window lingers until some things get done

--------Cut and paste below---------

echo off

echo.

echo Processing Idle Tasks

echo.

echo To Improve Performance!

echo.

echo Please Wait.......

echo.

Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

-------------save as .bat---------------------

  samxt said:
Use at your own risk.

584756342[/snapback]

Yeah, seriously:

http://venus.walagata.com/w/ajhyne/droppervirus.jpg

Probably just a false alarm... but I'm a little sketchy now nonetheless...

edit: just scanned with 10 different virus scanners and it seems clean.

Edited by Valo
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Article needs to be updated. X posted yesterday, after 2.5 hours that most service was back.
    • Can't say that I cared for his more recent views, but the man was an icon and will be missed.
    • I don't have a computer to play these, but kudos for them to release this stuff.
    • Even msnbc can be nice.   
    • Meta pulls political ads in the EU due to new regulations by Paul Hill Meta has announced that it will no longer allow political, electoral, or social issue ads on its platforms in the European Union starting in early October 2025. This is in direct response to the EU’s upcoming Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulation. According to the social media giant, the TTPA introduces “unworkable requirements and legal uncertainties” that make it too hard to continue offering those ad services. The ban on these types of ads will be limited to the EU and it will continue to allow political ads on its service in other parts of the world. The company will also allow people and politicians in the EU to post and debate politics organically on its platforms, they just can’t pay to amplify it. Meta said that the TTPA places extensive restrictions on ad targeting and delivery, and will make ads less relevant to users. It also believes that the measures undermine personalized advertising which it believes is crucial for advertisers and users. The company has already introduced transparency tools for political ads back in 2018, such as requiring authorization and public disclosure in its Ad Library. Commenting on its action, Meta said: With this ban in place, it will restrict how political and social issue advertisers can reach audiences through paid promotions on Meta’s platform. It could also impact the ability of voters to get comprehensive information about the various campaigns. On this point, Meta thinks personalized ads are critical for informing voters about important social issues. It’ll be interesting to see what impact this has on political campaigns in the EU. Those politicians without deep pockets may like this move as it creates a more level playing field and prevents those with deep pockets from drowning out other candidates’ voices. On the flip side, it could see candidates use less transparent methods to get their views across to the public. Source: Meta | Image via Depositphotos.com
  • Recent Achievements

    • Dedicated
      Snake Doc earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • One Month Later
      Philsl earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      armandointerior640 earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      armandointerior640 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Itbob513626 earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      613
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      236
    3. 3
      Xenon
      156
    4. 4
      +FloatingFatMan
      123
    5. 5
      Michael Scrip
      113
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!