Monty Python summed it up well - be cautious! And certainly think 3x prior to hacking the registry. Many a client, and myself, have commited irreversible errors requiring an HDD reformat and OS reinstall.
However, you are going to do what it is you are going to do; hence you should have, at least what I believe to be, the right tools.
For the process "kill" - start with
SysInternals Process Explorer v11.04 (PE), part of the MS SysInternals Utility Suite, written by Mark Russinovich. PE will show you every running program on your system whether an application or a service. Simply find the executable file "procexp.exe" and run it under windows. Some of the programs found within the Suite must be executed at the command prompt.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx
As MP mentioned, You may need to change the execution status of some from automatic, manual, delayed to disabled. One way to do this from within Vista is to use
Windows Defender's Software Explorer. From Windows Defender, select "Tools" then "Software Explorer".
Good Luck.