taskbar icons/start up

Alright well you know the taskbar on the right of it where on almost every computer there is the time and then to the left of the time there are little icons that link to programs.. how do i remove some of them because i got lots which are hidden when inactive but it still anoying?

My second question is how do i stop some programs from starting up when i turn on my computer such as aim etc...

 

Go to Start > Run > type in msconfig then click on Startup.

This is one of many programs that can help identify some of the entries.

Startup Inspector http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4075

Steve

 

For part one.....& this is for XP......use the attachment. It will clear out the old icons.

Rename the file extention from zip to vbs.