abacab
Autoruns by Sysinternals is a great way to get control of background tasks that startup or are scheduled to run.
 
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns
 

This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and when you start various built-in Windows applications like Internet Explorer, Explorer and media players. These programs and drivers include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. Autoruns reports Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond other autostart utilities.

 
To disable/enable any entry you simply uncheck/check the box next to it.
 
Using Autoruns to Deal with Startup Processes and Malware
https://www.howtogeek.com/school/sysinternals-pro/lesson6/

Grat app.
Sad you have to go through this after almost every software upgrade.
And a little hard to gasp what to keep on or turn of for non nerds.
Would be much better with a DAW mode that turned off everything not needed ether while running the DAW or starting playback and recording in the DAW.

Win10 is a fine DAW platform... once fully reined-in.
Get the Pro version... and you have all the control needed to shut down extraneous/unwanted things like Cortana, OneDrive, Automatic Updates, etc.

ØSkald
Isn’t it just better with a DAW mode that shuts these things off when you, ether start the DAW or when you start playback of record?
If you have to log off to go into this mode, and you will be in it for a longer time, I guess the computer will be at security risk.

If you had to wait for services to shut down when hitting the Transport in your DAW, that would be tedious. 
 
As far as security risk:
Most folks are using a router (behind a hardware firewall).
If you're going to cakewalk.com to download updates or read these forums, your security risk is minute.
Surfing porn while working in your DAW application... that's obviously high-risk.  
Receiving Email attachments on the DAW increases risk.
Installing unknown web-browser extensions increases risk.
IMO, A little common-sense goes a long way toward avoiding Malware/etc.
Maintaining an up-to-date backup image file of the boot drive is ultimate protection.

Jim Roseberry
If you had to wait for services to shut down when hitting the Transport in your DAW, that would be tedious. 
 
As far as security risk:
Most folks are using a router (behind a hardware firewall).
If you're going to cakewalk.com to download updates or read these forums, your security risk is minute.
Surfing porn while working in your DAW application... that's obviously high-risk.  
Receiving Email attachments on the DAW increases risk.
Installing unknown web-browser extensions increases risk.
IMO, A little common-sense goes a long way toward avoiding Malware/etc.
Maintaining an up-to-date backup image file of the boot drive is ultimate protection.

 

I hear you. You want to do that yourself. I understand that. I do it myself too. But the nature of the computer is to automate tasks. It is its main core function. And programing it to do things is the way it works. I understand you want to do everything yourself. I do. But Why not let the computer be a computer and let it do what it is meant to do? Turn thing on and off?
This is not a petition for me to finally be able to see adult vids while recording vocals. It is for the NOOOBS who don’t know what latency is.

Is there a recommended list of 'extraneous apps' that can/should be shut down for Win 10 Pro?   

Mesh
Is there a recommended list of 'extraneous apps' that can/should be shut down for Win 10 Pro?   

What, other than wiping your system and doing a clean install of Windows, then only installing your audio apps?
 
Even then Windows 10 can still be chatty by default.  Windows store app updates, Cortana, remote telemetry, Windows updates, bah! https://www.howtogeek.com/356642/how-to-fix-all-windows-10%E2%80%99s-annoyances/
 
Here is a good guide from NI covering general Windows tuning tips for audio processing.  Nothing here specific about other apps, but this should give a good baseline.
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/209571729-Windows-Tuning-Tips-for-Audio-Processin