Same thing in Vista; it's JUST a started task and you can disable as you want. Just watch the dependencies that a task my have on another task, i.e. don't disable something that another task needs.
My Vista 32 bit Business reports 65 processes running; I could cut that down easily. But I only disable what I KNOW I don't want and if the system is running good (which it is), use the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't *(#^&^ with it!"