Your main paragraph couldn't be said better by Bill Gates, Greg, however.. ( a small 2 cents)
Why add a program just to shut down programs (and services)?
(I know - just don't start them!)
Well, at 9 o'clock in the morning I need the Microsoft Updater running, as I run their mssecs security app, Windows 7, Visual Basic 2012, MalwareBytes, DropBox - all of which need ad-hoc network access: I use PaintShop Pro X4 quite often, and Magix Video DL - these two requiring security access to run:TeamViewer likes to be ready: the usual browsers, and email; plus, as you say - knowing your pc - there are a number of general "MS nuisance apps" running for various reasons. I have a nice bunch of work cut out for me for most of the day, and the pc must be able to manage Word, or Excel, as easily as the flight sim, so that means a number of services running, and a few programs.
The goal later in the day, though - is to configure a lean, mean "
FSX machine"... nothing running that I don't need - but when I want it..
...and I will 1000% agree with
that statement, and while I also absolutely agree that one
should also become as utterly familiar with the pc and it's OS in the deepest manner - the caveat there has to be -
provided one has the knowledge and confidence, by profession or education - and there are not many FSX'ers in this bracket. Being a Unix guy - I'm not sure I'm in that bracket either! I understand where you're coming from, Greg, but AlacrityPC (or similar) is the easiest way for most guys (and me) to go. One tiny footprint - a click away, and the pc is lean.
FSX here I come!
All the Best,
pj