igfxtray and hkcmd - Do you really need it?

Whenever my machine starts hitting RAM, my first step is always to open the Task Manager, go to Processes, hunt for igfxtray and hkcmd processes and KILL them immediately. Because at first, I never knew what they are used for. And secondly, it was running under my account. I did not receive any problems after killing them, so it has become an easy target for me. But before you start murdering them, here is their information that you should be aware of:

Process : igfxtray
File : igfxtray.exe
Name : Intel(R) Graphics Accelerator Helper
Path : %system%\igfxtray.exe
Misc : Works in Background, Not a System Process, Runs locally and not on Network, No Internet usage, Hardware related
Description : igfxtray.exe is a process which allows you to access the Intel Graphics configuration and diagnostic application for the Intel 810 series graphics chipset. This program is a non-essential system process, and is installed for ease of use via the desktop tray.

Process : hkcmd
File : hkcmd.exe
Name : Intel Hotkey
Path : %system%\hkcmd.exe
Misc : Works in Background, Not a System Process, Runs locally and not on Network, No Internet usage, Hardware related
Description : hkcmd.exe is installed alongside Intel multimedia devices and allows configuration and diagnostic options for these devices. This program is a non-essential process, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems.

Recommendation: Remove igfxtray.exe from startup but not hkcmd.exe

Process to remove these services from startup:

1. Click on Start --> Run.

2. In Run, type "msconfig" and click OK.


3. Go to "Startup" tab and uncheck services you want to remove from startup. Click OK.


- Mohit