Windows Question: Notification Area on Task bar

[Peter Stahl]

In the Notification Area to the right of the task bar, how do you add or remove items from there?

thanks, Pete

[Rick Gibson]

I am assuming you mean the icons that show which programs are running in the background. Usually you can right click on them and a menu will come up allowing you to shut them down although they will return the next time you start your computer. The next easiest would be to get a program such as easy cleaner. (available free here http://www.toniarts.com/product_details.php?prod_id=1 )

It will allow you to view the contents of the startup file and remove anything you don't want running. In most cases the stuff showing here is optional and does not need to be running but make sure you know what you are removing from the startup file before you do. If you are not sure what you are doing check with someone who does assuming you want your computer to run properly afterwards.

[Peter Stahl]

Rick, Thanks for the reply. I was looking for a easy and Free way to do it.

[Robert Mickley]

Pre win XP, Start, run, type in msconfig. got the right tab labeled startup.
Uncheck any programs you do not want to luanch on startup. Exit, restart.

[Shaun Wilson]

Pete,

1. Right click where it says "Start" -Usually in the bottom left corner of the screen
2. Click "Properties"
3. Click the "Taskbar" tab on the upper left
4. Click "Customize" and then choose the items you want to show or hide.

The more items you hide, the more space it clears up. Of course, the programs in the notification area are still running, they are just hidden now. If you really want to stop them from running you can either right click on the icon and click "exit", remove them from the startup folder, or do as Robert suggests and stop them from running using msconfig.

Good luck!
Shaun

[Peter Stahl]

Thanks for all the reply's.