Open Task Manager on any Windows computer and chances are there are a hundred processes even if you're just sitting idly on the desktop. What's with the obsession to constantly make crap run on startup? Let's look at some common offenders and how to cut them down to size.

When you write a Linux column like The Linux Distillery it’s hard not to talk about Windows now and then. We all know Microsoft’s operating system has the dominant position for desktops around the world and for many people it will be their first experience with computing.

Make no mistake, there’s a huge amount to say about Linux in its own right. Recently I wrote how businesses could reduce their operating costs by consolidating data centres with Linux-based virtualisation. Last month I talked on how to watch TV within Linux.

However, periodically, comparisons have to be made because in order to fully explain why Linux does something completely mind-bogglingly brilliant you have to put it in context of just why it is so radical. That’s why I said the Linux filesystem trounces Windows’ butt and gave 100 reasons Linux beats Windows.

Today, I’m going to cover something that really bugs me about Windows’ programs in general.

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