Windows Task Manager Processes Image Name realsched.exe and realplay.exe

According to Window Task Manager, [tab] Processes, [column] Image Name,
the following are running:

realsched.exe
realplay.exe

I don't like "Real", and though I'd like to access audio on the Internet
(mainly program feeds from NPR), and intended to install the necessary
codecs, I didn't realize I'd wind up with these processes running all
the time. I also suspect they're spyware, since Real seems intent on
one thing above all: to get money out of me, and they probably want to
know as much as possible about me, how I spend my time, and what I
listen to, in order to target me with their annoyances. (If they asked
me, I'd tell them I'd never buy a "song" in a million years; I have no
time for such nonsense.)

Spybot Search and Destroy doesn't find any problems.

Can I shut down these processes, prevent them ever from running again,
get rid of RealPlayer and all traces of it, and still listen to audio
files in their format, using an audio player of my own choosing?

If I can't play audio offered in their proprietary format, I'd still
like to get rid of RealPlayer, including any entries it put in my
registry, files and folders it created, and so on. Ditto for the "Quick
Time" thing.

(Incidentally, these people seem incredibly unfamiliar with users'
experiences with their own software. For example, "Add or Remove
Programs" doesn't give a version for RealPlayer and "Click here for
support information" only says "Use the following information to get
technical support for RealPlayer," followed by a link in "Publisher:
RealNetworks" to a website (What good is that when you're not online?),
and at the website, not only is there nothing about technical support,
but entering "technical support" in the search form on the customer
support page yields 1457 hits, at which point I gave up. When I clicked
on "Change or Remove," I was only offered an opportunity to uninstall a
"component" named RealPlayer.)

|
| According to Window Task Manager, [tab] Processes, [column] Image Name,
| the following are running:
|
| realsched.exe
| realplay.exe
|
| I don't like "Real",

Dump Real Player and use Real Alternative.

http://www.codecguide.com/about_real.htm

Works great. Much smaller footprint all around.

Alternatively, use the Real Player Enterprise Player
http://www.realnetworks.com/products/rpe/index.html

--
Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP

Read my blog for the latest in Media Center topics
(and other topics that interest me)
http://jtsang.blogspot.com

More information by me
http://jtsang.mvps.org
http://www.classicsunveiled.com

Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx

Doug wrote:

Thank you very much, Doug.

(Sorry about the delay; I got lost.)

--
Marshall Price of Miami
Known to Yahoo as d021317c