 Make it Faster ...
There are several ways to keep your computer lean and mean, so it will run faster and more efficiently. If you are using Windows (any flavor), make periodic checks on your Startup Group and keep stray programs and icons deleted. To view what is cranking up just by starting Windows, click the Start button, then Programs. Move your mouse pointer to the Startup folder and click it. Everything in that folder is destined to start and run whenever you start your computer. If it isn't an absolute necessity, or something you really want running when Windows starts, right click on it and choose Delete.
Not everything ends up in the Startup group where it can be simply deleted and not plague your system by sucking extra resources. I wish it were that simple. There are other places you can poke around though. Take a peek in the System Tray for additional strays that can be thinned out. The System Tray is that little area at the bottom right of your Taskbar, next to the clock. You should see a little speaker icon, maybe your antivirus icon and a few other necessities. These are fine, but chances are you have several additional uninvited guests.
If you have been on the Internet and installed RealPlayer, you might have noticed it left a little icon in your System Tray. You can right click on it and choose to close or exit, but it will just come back the next time you start your computer unless you do a little extra work. If you agree RealPlayer is a program that should only be seen or heard when needed, remove it from the system tray. It will still work just fine whenever you need it. To remove it from your System Tray, click the icon to open it. Click the word View, then Preferences. Under the General tab, look for the Start Center area at the bottom. Click the Settings button and make sure there is not a check in the Enable Start Center box. Click OK to lock in your changes and don't let them talk you out of it (they will try). The next time you start your computer, you won't see it.
The latest versions of AOL like to run things in your System Tray too. It can be interesting getting rid of it, but it can be done. Right click the icon and look for AutoStart Options. Choose Don't use any AutoStart Options. When it asks you if you want it to be in the system tray the next time you start your computer, choose NO. Make sure you delete it from your Startup Group if it is there too.
The safest way to remove a program's icon from the system tray is by using its own remove option. You won't always be able to find this by right or left clicking the icon. You might need to actually open the program and look for Options or Preferences and see if there is a choice to turn it off or not. When all else fails, look the program up in Google. You should have no trouble finding a way to remove it, or a darn good reason why you shouldn't.
 Another place you may find yourself exploring is the Windows System Configuration Utility. Click the Start button once with your left mouse button. Click Run and in the next box that appears, type msconfig and hit the OK button.
Vista users: click the search box after clicking the Start button and type msconfig there. The same config utility is still hanging in for you!
When the System Configuration window opens, select the Startup Tab and uncheck programs you don't want Windows to load. Make sure you only choose programs you are familiar with. If you don't know what it is, leave it alone until you do. You should see quite a few goodies that are obviously not needed to run in the background when your computer cranks up in the morning. Stick with those. Click on OK to close the utility and your next startup should be faster and leave you with a less cluttered system startup.
The BEST way to avoid System Tray Clutter is to pay attention when you install stuff. Take your time and read every word before you get slap happy with that Next button. Many times you will be asked outright if you want an icon placed in the System Tray. See how many ways you can spell NO.
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