task bar items?

[PamE]

Not quite sure if it's task bar or not but on the lower right hand side of my computer screen, where the clock is, there are also a bunch of icons. There is RealPlayer, Earthlink update, task scheduler, etc. I'd rather not have these things come up like that when I start up the computer, but I'm not sure how to take them off. Any suggestions?

[AnnW]

Start
Control Panel
Taskbar & Start Menu
Auto Hide
Apply

[PamE]

But that just hides them? I want to keep these programs from turning on by themselves when I start my computer. Do I have to go into each individual program and figure out how to turn that feature off?

[AnnW]

I know what you are looking for, but I can't remember what it is.
Does this help.....
To remove a shortcut from the Start or Programs menu

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Taskbar and Start Menu.
Click the Advanced tab, and then click Remove.
Click the item you want to remove, and then click Remove.
Notes

Although this deletes the shortcut from the Start menu, the original program remains on your computer.
You can also remove a program shortcut from the Start menu by dragging the icon from the Start menu or submenu to the Recycle Bin. You may need to move the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop so that it is visible.
You can also open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box by right-clicking a blank area on the taskbar, and then clicking Properties.

[Jeff]

This is a guess, but I am thinking you could go to the start menu and chose the run option then type in 'sysedit'. It should pull up things like autoexec.bat, win.ini, system.ini etc.

I noticed those items on the bar in the right hand corner tend to load after windows has so you may be able to find what files are being told to run from the ini files and look at those particular files and comment out or delete things like real player.

[PamE]

Thank you both! This is sounding a bit out of my territory, so I'll show dh your responses and let him be the one to mess up the 'puter! :D

[Jeff]

Pam,

Your answer is in cookegirl's response to karla's post...

http://boards.theideabox.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4726

[PamE]

Thanks, Jeff! I would have missed it if you hadn't pointed it out. :)