Process
Viewer for Windows |
Copyright 1995-2006 Igor Nys
Introduction
PrcView is a process viewer utility that displays detailed
information about processes running under Windows. For each process it displays memory,
threads and module usage. For each DLL it shows full
path and version information. PrcView comes with a command
line version that allows you to write scripts to check if a process is running,
kill it, etc.
What’s new in 5.0
-
Improved GUI and usability
-
Functional enhancement in many areas
-
Show CPU and memory consumption for the selected processes
-
Show system entries that are automatically executed at the start-up
-
Includes process monitoring functionality
Please note that performance and monitoring-related functionality will not
run on Windows 9x/Me
Whats new in 3.0
- DLL usage summary - displays all DLLs currently in use, shows processes which use
selected DLL
- Displays complete task tree parent/child relationships for all processes in the
system
- Displays Task list like the standard task manager
- PrcView distribution now includes PV.EXE - a new utility that provides PrcView
functionality from the command-line. Use pv h for more information about available
options.
Whats new in 2.0
Get the full list of DLLs for each running process including
FULL PATH for each loaded module - discover what DLLs your process really uses and
where they are located.
Double click on any module or process to get the full version information
Save any view as a tab-separated text file by just pressing F2
Process Finder Tool - just drag the finder icon and drop it to the process Window to
select the desired process
Smooth update - you dont need to press the refresh "button" to get the
updated list of all processes, PrcView periodically updates the process list for you
New look and nice icons
Installation
No special installation is required on Windows 95/98. Create a new, empty folder and
place the files PRCVIEW.EXE and PRCVIEW.HLP there. For Windows NT4 you may also need a
PSAPI.DLL.
Main Window
The main window shows you a list of running processes including information process Id,
priority, and full path to the process module. You can sort columns by clicking on the
column header.
Note that although you dont need to have administrative privilege on Windows NT
to run PrcView, list of task PrcView can access depends on your set of privileges.
Show modules
Information about each loaded module including the module name, the module base address
in process space, the module size and full to the loaded module path.
Show version
You can display comprehensive version information by double-clicking
the appropriate line in the main or module
window
Show threads
Information about all process threads including threads Id and priority. Note that if
PrcView uses Performance Data Helper to enumerate threads under Windows NT, it can take a
few seconds at the first time to open the list of threads while Windows is loading all
necessary libraries.
Show Memory
Information about all memory blocks belonging to the selected process. Contains
information about base address, protection, size and state for each memory block.
Show Heaps
Information about all heaps allocated by the selected process. You can display heap
memory blocks by double clicking on the appropriate heap in the list box
Show Version
Displays version information about selected module. You can display version information
by double-clicking the appropriate line in the main or module window
Kill process
Just another way to kill a selected process. Note that killing a process can cause
undesired results including loss of data and system instability. The process will not be
given a chance to save its state or data before it is terminated. It is advisable to try
the "Notify" button in the "Kill" dialog to close a GUI-based
application first (via WM_SYSCOMMAND)
Debug process
Nice way to attach a debugger to a running application. PrcView reads the
"AeDebug" key and starts a registered debug application. PrcView allows you not
only to select a process to debug but also to associate a particular project with it. This
is especially useful while debugging an DLL that has a separate project. Associations are
stored in the registry.
Set priority class
Allows you to specify a new priority class for the selected process.
The Process Finder Tool
With the Process Finder Tool you can find the process corresponding to a
selected window. To find a process:
- Arrange your windows so that PrcView and the window of the desired process are visible.
- Press the Find Process button on the toolbar.
- Keep left mouse button pressed while dragging the Finder Tool to the desired window.
- Release mouse button. PrcView will select the corresponding process in the main view.
Process Tree
Shows you the process hierarchy for all running processes. You can select the desired
task by clicking on the process item in the Process Tree window.
Module Usage
Information about all loaded modules in the system including the module name, the
module base address in process space, the module size and full to the loaded module path.
Selecting a module from the module list shows only processes witch use a selected module.
Selecting "Module Usage" again returns the main window to the original process
list. You can display comprehensive version information by double-clicking the appropriate
line in the window.
Show Application
Shows all top-level window titles. You can select the desired task by clicking on the
process item in this window. Double-click sends the selected application to the front.
Configuration option
Start Minimized PrcView starts minimized. This option is useful in
combination with the "Use System Tray" option if you plan to place PrcView in
the "Startup" folder
Use System Tray PrcView places a small icon In the System Tray, hiding itself
when minimized
Allow Multiply Instances If turned "on", PrcView allows to start
more than one instance of the program. If turned "off" the instance of PrcView
that is already running will be activated.
Set Refresh Times Allows to specify refresh times for main/thread/module
windows. If specified time is greater than zero, PrcView will refresh windows cyclically.
Refreshing Information
Use Menu/Toolbar in the main view or F5 in any view to
refresh information in the corresponding window
Save Current View
Use Menu/Toolbar in the main view or F2 in any view to
save information in the corresponding window
Reporting Bugs and Feedback
If you encounter a problem while running PrcView, please visit
http://www.prcview.com
to obtain the latest version. If you still have problems, please send a description of
your problem to
support@prcview.com
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER -- READ BEFORE INSTALLING PRCVIEW
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS-IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING AND WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR HIS
COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER LOSS) , WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE.
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