Windows 7 - The computer seems to be running unwant programs/tasks

I am running Pro Tools to do recordings but I think Windows 7 is running programs that are interfering with the memory and creating issues with the recording. How do I turn off all unwanted background programs that are not necessary.
I do not use this laptop on the web nor do I ever intend to, and all updates are done via thumb drives. What else is running and how do I shut them off?

run MSCONFIG and go to the Startup tab. There you can uncheck whatever programs you do not want to run on startup.