Task List
Name

PROGRAM &
MANUFACTURER

WHAT IT IS
AND WHAT YOU CAN DO
Lamapp N/A LAMAPP does not exist.  See iamapp.
Launchpd LaunchPD.exe

(ATI Technologies)		 ATI Multimedia Center Launch Pad.  This is a program launching toolbar which by default has entries for multimedia applications :  CD Player, DVD Player, Audio Center.  You can add other programs to it.

Recommendation :
Down to end-user preference.  You can disable it by right-clicking on it and taking the tick off the "Load on Startup" option.
Lconfig N/A LCONFIG does not exist. See iconfig.
Leerlaufprozess N/A

(Microsoft)		 German equivalent of "System Idle Process" in the German version of Windows NT4/2000/XP. See "System Idle Process".

Lexbces

Lexbces.exe

(Lexmark)

This program is a component of the Lexmark MarkVision software.  If your Lexmark printer comes with an internal network card, you will need to install MarkVision to configure that network card.  This results in LEXBCES running as a background process on Windows 9x and as a service in Windows NT4.

Recommendation : 
If you are not experiencing any problems, leave alone.  In our case, however, we have found the MarkVision software extremely buggy, to cause Windows startup problems, to cause serious performance hogs, and a number of other problems.  As a result, while we often recommend Lexmark printers, particularly for the high end lasers, we now never ever buy Lexmark printers with in-built network cards – we use external Intel Netport Express print servers instead.
Lexpps Lexpps.exe

(Lexmark)		 Lexmark Printer Port Scanner.  Background task which auto-loads with the rest of the printer drivers and which allows your Lexmark X or Z Series to be shared over a Windows peer-to-peer network using the conventional method of setting up a shared networked printer (without it, you will not be able to share the printer using the conventional Windows method).

Recommendation :
This task is a comprehensive nightmare. From preventing your PC from booting up, to interfering with your network card, to asking your Internet firewall for permission to install itself as a server application, to general PC instability, this task has everything to make you instantly return your Lexmark X or Z Series printer and go for something else, and some users have done so !!  In order to regain your sanity the first thing to do is to rename LEXPPS.EXE to LEXPPS.EXE.OLD (do it in Safe Mode if you cannot boot your PC normally) – this will ensure that this task never loads and will cure all the problems that it causes.  If you need to network the printer over a peer to peer network, do not use the standard manner, instead install the printer as a local printer on the remote PC, and then go and change the port from a local port to the network share that the printer is known as.
Lexstart LexStart.exe

(Lexmark)		 This program is installed by some of the older Lexmark printer drivers.  If you run Windows 95, in most cases this program does not cause problems till....  You upgrade your motherboard or version of Windows.  When you do, if you are unlucky the program can cause extremely severe slow-downs, particularly in a networked environment. It can also cause your PC to dial out on boot up !

Recommendation :
If you run Windows 95 or 98, and you experience the above problems, fully de-install the printer driver by deleting all copies of the printer from the Printers folder, and answering "Yes" to the "Do you want to remove all files?" question.  Additionally, but only if you are a Technically Advanced User, also delete all LEX*.* files from C:\Windows\System.  Finally, also delete Lexstart using Startup Manager.  Next, go to our Drivers Pages and download and install the latest drivers for your Lexmark printer – for most models the new all-models-in-1 Lexmark driver no longer makes use of this program. Even when it does, the updated driver has a LEXSTART which behaves !
Lights Lights.exe

(Microsoft)		 Microsoft’s Modem Monitor Applet.  System Tray program which is used by a number of Microsoft and non-Microsoft programs to display a modem with two red/green activity lights so you know when your modem is communicating.  Norton’s PCAnywhere is one such non-Microsoft program which makes use of LIGHTS.EXE to show you when data is going through your modem.

Recommendation :
Leave alone.  When the program which started LIGHTS.EXE has completed its job and exited, LIGHTS also disappears from the Task List.

Linksts

Linksts.exe

(Asuscom)

Tray icon which gets installed when you install the drivers for Asuscom internal ISDN modem cards (or rebadged Asuscom ISDN cards, such as MRi).  This icon enables you to monitor or configure your ISDN card. Once you have configured your ISDN card correctly, you will never need to use this icon.

Recommendation : 
Disable using Startup Manager once you are satisfied that your ISDN card works properly.
LoadPowerProfile Rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll

(Microsoft)		 LoadPowerProfile is not a Task List item, it is purely a startup item which you will find in Startup Manager / MSCONFIG.  This startup entry is usually listed twice under two different registry keys and implements the Power/Energy Saving scheme you set up in "Control Panel \ Display \ Screen Saver tab".  One of the entries implements Power Saving before the user logs on to Windows (or the network if there is one), and the other implements Power Saving after the user has logged on to Windows (or the network).

Recommendation :
Leave alone as it is essential to the proper implementation of your Power Saving settings.
Loadqm LoadQM.exe

(Microsoft)		 This task loads the MSN Queue Manager and is installed when you install MSN Explorer or MSN Messenger.  LOADQM gobbles up system resources and appears on most end-users’ Task Lists who come to us complaining of low System & User Resources or very slow, "crawling", PCs.  In January 2003 this is still one of the worst behaved Microsoft programs !

Recommendation :
Disable immediately, or Delete using Starter. Next, reboot your PC and find LOADQM in the C:\WINDOWS folder.  Rename it to LOADQM.EXE.OLD as if you do not it will otherwise get put back in your Task List at some stage or other (on some PCs you may need to boot into Safe Mode before you are able to rename LOADQM).  Note :  LOADQM gets re-installed every time you install a new version of Microsoft’s MSN Messenger.

Loadwc

LoadWC.exe

(Microsoft)

Internet Explorer’s Load WebCheck.  Microsoft’s own description :  "Load WebCheck customizes some of the settings in Internet Explorer.  Load WebCheck adds, removes, and updates subscriptions.  It also propagates settings for user profiles."

Recommendation : 
The truth is, we are not sure !  From the above description LOADWC.EXE seems essential but thankfully it does not seem to have any negative side effects on the performance of a PC.  It seems however, that if you follow our recommended way of installing Internet Explorer, it then never gets loaded !
Locator Locator.exe

(Microsoft)		 Remote Procedure Call Locator service which runs in Windows NT4/2000/XP. First read about RPCSS in these Task List pages.  Next :  LOCATOR is the service which maintains the database of currently publicly declared procedures.  Server processes and applications register with LOCATOR all their publicly declared procedures, while client processes query LOCATOR for specific publicly declared procedures.

Recommendation :
Essential – Leave alone.
Logi_mwx Logi_MWX.exe

(Logitech)		 Background task which is part of Logitech’s MouseWare utilities and seen primarily after installing the software for Logitech’s cordless optical mice.  This process, which is started on Windows boot-up, detects the exact Logitech mouse that you have, and then configures and launches EM_EXEC which provides support for all the non-standard mouse buttons (read EM_EXEC for more details).

Recommendation :
If you disable LOGI_MWX, your Logitech mouse will run using the Windows default drivers and will as a result function only as a 2-button mouse.  In our experience most users seem to like the extra functionality provided by the use of the additional buttons, in which case do not disable this task.  That said, it is known to interfere with some games – when that is the case simply "End Task" it for the duration of your game.
Logwat95

Logwatnt		 Logwat95.exe

Logwatnt.exe

(Computer Associates)		 Essential software fix issued by Computer Associates to users of Unicenter products.  It corrects memory leaks and access violation errors in the licensing modules of the products involved (for example :  CA Visual Objects 2.5, ControlIT, Remotely Possible).

Recommendation :
If you are still using a relevant Computer Associates product, keep it, otherwise delete it with Starter.

Lsass

Lsass.exe

(Microsoft)

Windows NT4/2000/XP only.  LSASS is the Local Security Authentication Server.  It verifies the validity of user logons to your PC/Server (in technical jargon :  it generates the process that is responsible for authenticating users for the Winlogon service).

Recommendation : 
An integral part of the operating system, leave alone.
Ltcm000c LTCM000C.exe

(Xircom)		 Xircom messaging application for Lucent modems.  Installed by the drivers for the Xircom mini PCI (MPCI) 56K internal modems seen on many IBM ThinkPads (typically A, T, X, 1800, 1620 series) and some Toshiba laptops.

Recommendation :
We have no idea as to what this task actually does, so the only recommendation we can make is that you keep it.
Ltdaemon LTDaemon.exe

(Lucent???)		 Seems to be related to Windows modems with a Lucent chipset.

Recommendation :
As we do not know much about this task, leave alone.
Ltsmmsg Ltsmmsg.exe

(Lucent Technologies)		 Lucent Softmodem Messaging Applet. We have only ever found this modem driver in Acer and Sony laptops, but we would not be surprised if it can be found on other laptops.

Recommendation :
Essential; the modem will not work without it.

Ltsstart

Ltsstart.exe

(Lotus – IBM)

Lotus QuickStart 97.  Having this program running in the background supposedly enables any program in Lotus SmartSuite to start faster.

Recommendation : 
As with Microsoft’s OSA.EXE, this program is a total utter waste of time.  The benefits in today’s world of fast PCs are non-existent.  Delete with Startup Manager.
Lucomserver

Lucoms~1		 LuComServer.exe

Lucoms~1.exe

(Symantec)		 LiveUpdate Engine COM Module.  LUCOMSERVER is entirely to do with Norton’s LiveUpdate, whether you have Norton AntiVirus, Norton PCAnywhere, Norton Personal Firewall, or Norton Internet Security.  It only appears in your Task List if you happen to bring up the Task List at the very moment that Norton’s LiveUpdate is checking whether there are software or virus definitions updates, or if LiveUpdate is in the process of downloading updates (LUCOMS~1 is the 8.3 DOS name for the program and only shows as such if somehow your system has lost its ability to display long program names).

Recommendation :
Do nothing. As soon as LiveUpdate finishes LUCOMSERVER will disappear from your Task List.  If LiveUpdate is not allowed to finish (your connection to the Internet is closed), or is waiting for end-user input, LUCOMSERVER will remain in the Task List.

Lvcoms

Lvcoms.exe

(Logitech)

Driver for Logitech’s QuickCam Home cameras.  It allows the camera to be accessed by NetMeeting, Windows Movie Maker, and the QuickCam software.

Recommendation : 
Leave alone if you use a Logitech QuickCam camera.
Lwbwheel LwbWheel.exe

(IBM)		 Internet mouse wheel background support task installed when you install IBM’s Mouse Suite software.

Recommendation :
No known problems to date.  IBM’s mouse suite, like all mouse suites, is unlikely to be necessary under Windows 98/ME/2000/XP.  However, if you like the extra bells and whistles that it provides, then...
Lwemon LWemon.exe

(Logitech)		 Logitech’s Wingman Profiler Joystick System Tray utility which shows up as a large W.  It allows the user to customise the Wingman Joystick behaviour.  If you end this background task, a warning message is displayed stating that the joystick may cease to function properly, however users report no ill effects as a result of doing so.  The reason this is is that most gamers use the game’s joystick configuration to set up their buttons.  If you use the Wingman software, on the other hand, then your settings will not take effect unless you have LWEMON running in the background.

Recommendation :
If you always use the game’s own joystick configuration setup, then disabling LWEMON is fine.  Otherwise, if you use the Wingman software, then you will need to leave LWEMON running the background.
Lxbbbmgr LXbbbmgr.exe

(Lexmark)		 Lexmark X74/X75 Button Manager, also called "Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program".  System Tray icon for the Lexmark X74/X75 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  Through that icon you can access from your PC all the functions available on the control pad of your Lexmark X74/X75 :  scan, scan to e-mail, scan and fax, scan to OCR, copy, scanning resolution settings.

Recommendation :
Down to end-user preference.  This program is not strictly necessary for the proper operation of your Lexmark X74/X75 as you can use most of the above features via the printer’s control panel.  However you need this System Tray program to scan to e-mail, fax, or OCR, and to change the machine’s defaults, such as the default scanning resolution, the email address to scan and e-mail to, etc...  Should you decide to disable this task with Startup Manager, you can start it at any time via "Start \ Programs \ Lexmark X74/X75 \ Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program".
Lxbbbmon LXBbbMon.exe

(Lexmark)		 Lexmark X74/X75 Button Monitor.  Background task installed by the drivers for the Lexmark X74 or X75 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  This background task monitors the X74/X75 for activity and interacts with LXBBBMGR above for operations involving the PC (e.g. scan to e-mail).  Also, for large copy jobs it relays the current copy count back to LXBBBMGR so you can view it on your PC.

Recommendation :
In the main this task is necessary, so leave it alone.
Lxdboxcp LXDBOXCP.exe

(Lexmark)		 Lexmark DOS-Printing Control Program for the Lexmark 2050.  Background task installed with the drivers for the printer.

Recommendation :
This task is only needed if you print from DOS programs to your Lexmark 2050.  Otherwise disable it with Startup Manager, particularly since it often interferes with other devices that use your printer port(s), such as parallel port tape or CD-ROM drives, or additional printers.
Lxsupmon LxSUpMon.exe

(Lexmark)		 Lexmark Status Update Monitor.  System Tray icon which enables you to monitor your Lexmark inkjet printer (ink cartridge level, nozzle checks, head cleaning, print progress, etc...).

Recommendation :
The type of printer you have will dictate whether you will want to keep this icon or not – increasingly, modern inkjet printers have no LEDs on the printer which indicate whether you are running out of ink or not;  the only way to check that is through the System Tray printer monitor icon.  This may be the case for you, in which case you will want to keep this task.  Should you need to disable it, you can do so with Starter.