• All versions of the Windows operating system, including XP, have a built-in Task Manager. This utility program is very basic, however. If you desire more control over the software that monitors your system memory and processes, an alternative task manager might prove the perfect choice. There are a handful of alternative choices available, though not all are created equal.
  
  

Process Hacker

• Download and install Process Hacker (see Resources). Process Hacker is a free, open-source software package. This alternative task manager is one of the best available, widely popular with the open-source community because it provides full control over Windows XP applications. When you open the Process Hacker task manager, you are presented with a simple, customizable tree view showing detailed system statistics and highlighting. You can edit security levels, suspend, resume, restart and terminate tasks with ease.
  
  

Process Explorer

• Using Process Explorer (see Resources) gives you better control over which Windows task are running and how they interact with your computer's memory. Not only can you view a list of all available programs and tasks, you can also peruse relevant graphs. The list view groups together all tasks relevant to the parent program, so each corresponding task is coupled in successive order, one after another. Additionally, this task manager makes it quite easy to track down troubled DLLs and DOC files that cannot be deleted, which otherwise might eat up your system resources.
  
  

System Explorer

• Choose System Explorer (see Resources) if you want more than just a replacement task manager. This application extends beyond normal task management, giving you control over Windows start-up applications, system add-ons, services and drivers. System Explorer can also automatically determine unwanted processes and potential system threats. The program comes in 21 different languages and--best of all--it's free of charge.