What's Running for Windows

Used What's Running for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 27, 2016

Ever wonder if your PC is keeping secrets from you? Wonder no more. The freeware utility What's Running reveals all your system's active processes, services, drivers, and connections.

It's like Windows Task Manager, except far more informative. The cramped multipane interface is very hard to read, but even it has its good points: it lists processes in a parent-child hierarchy, not a bad way to accidentally spot malware. It also lets you choose which columns of information to display, and it makes stopping or prioritizing processes as simple as a mouse click--a right-click, to be precise. It even lets you control which programs launch at start-up.

Looks aside, What's Running ought to appeal to system administrators, support specialists, and tech-savvy home users who want to know precisely what their computer is up to.

What's Running for Windows

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: April 19, 2006

Latest update: February 27, 2016

Version: 2.2

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows 10

Additional Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 602,664

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.1/5

83 User Votes

Great software.
inJanuaryOctober 10, 2013
Pros
Easy as heck to use. It really does show all of the processes running as well as drivers, startup programs and more. The reviews about the software being too complex are not fair... that's like trying to operate an airplane just because you've flown in a plane a lot. You wouldn't try to put a computer together if you don't know what you're doing, you wouldn't try to read Chinese if you've never had the training... even IF you have eaten a lot of Chinese food. You wouldn't try to write css or html for a website or dabble in programming without the knowledge. Reviewing your systems inner parts isn't advisable if you have no idea what you're doing.
Cons
It seems to crash A LOT. I'm constantly having to open the task menu to close the semi-open crashed 'what's running' and restart it again. I'll deal with it but a fix would be nice. Also, for those who have trouble opening the software... (I had to do this)... try going in to the folder where the program installed (probably program folders. if you cant find it, do a search in your start menu) ... open the folder, 'what's running' and you will see an icon that simply says, 'what's running' ... right click, then click 'run as administrator' ... it will run. If your software crashes often, as does mine, I'd advise to leave the folder with the .exe (start file that you click and run as administrator) open to make your life easier when you have to run the file again ...and again.
Summary
Good program. No real complaints. Not for people who don't understand the inner workings of computers but should be easy for them to figure out if they take the time.
gets error on startup - won't run
snoplsJuly 31, 2013
Pros
none unless I can get this fixed
Cons
Gets the following error pop-up when starting execution: "Execution error occurred during startup; Message: WMIEnum.Create adding enum failed:8007007E". This is useless to me and I can not try to execute this program. I installed DECLINING the additional (and unwanted) add-ons, and using mu own Utilities directory rather than the default ProgramFiles directory.
Summary
If someone can help me correct this I would really like to try it out.
What's Running 2.2 Too complex for me...
themidnightcruiserAugust 24, 2012
Pros
It shows everything that's running, and I mean everything.
Cons
Too much information... I've been around computers since the early 1980's and am reasonably competent in understanding and usage. What's Running 2.2 has so much information available that it leaves me in it's wake...
Summary
Apt name, When it works
patriot157November 5, 2011
Pros
Loads easy, when it loads, and gives a description of running processes
Cons
For some reason my 64 Asus doesnt like loading this program. More than half the time it aborts as it cant find certain files, especially the PSinfo.dll. Have installed several times, to no avail.
Summary
I was looking for a program that would tell me what mysterious things are downloaded to my computer. This program has difficulty in loading, and doesnt tell me what I was thinking it would do.
Very thorough, but what it all means is another story.
peterlonzFebruary 14, 2011
Pros
Infinitely more informative than say MS Task Manager. It's free, personally I would not pay for it anyway.
Cons
IMHO far too complex, I just look at the reports & wonder what it all means, & what should I do about it. It has yet to help me solve any PC problem.
Summary
Probably helpful in the hands of experts but almost useless for the majority.
Good software works alot better than Task Manager.
MrGoodguy69November 25, 2010
Pros
Shows all things running, which takes awhile to read through. Still on my pc now. Its free.
Cons
Cant fault it.
Summary
Saves lives.
RidoKilosAugust 14, 2010
Pros
Has helped me extract many a virus. Easily small enough to run on a flash drive. Gives you more than enough info for whatever you are doing.
Cons
No cons at all.
Summary
I carry this around with me almost everywhere I go. I usually end up fixing someones virus infected computer with it. It is also very good for speeding up a computer with too much going on in the background. Makes killing annoying start up programs very easy. I highly recommend this.
Goes way beyond MS Config
HeshamFasJune 5, 2010
Pros
Ability to completely control files running on your computer
Cons
My computer ran slower during running this utility but it eventually helped making my computer runs really faster.
Summary
I used this utility to stop files running at and after startup that wasn't clearly showing with MS Config. I did a lot more tweaking using this utility. It shows where exactly the file running. I Googled the file name to see if it's essential. My computer is running much faster.
It is fantastic.
papa5100February 16, 2010
Pros
I can't think of any at this time.
Cons
Everything is working great.
Summary
Get it, use it, die happy knowing you have it! I have already used it once to locate a process that was hidden and it did its job.
simple and effective
martinykJanuary 30, 2010
Pros
it does as described
Cons
did not find any
Summary
impressive free aplication

Developer’s Description

By WhatsRunning.net

Find out what applications, processes, and files are running on your PC.

This application helps you investigate what applications, processes, services, modules, drivers and IP connections are running on your computer. See extensive system information in a simple graphical user interface.

Version 2.2 makes the default process in a hierarchical view based on the parent relationship.