desktop problem

[Jeffers]

for some reason a bluestripe just appeared on the left
side of my desktop. It shows "folder tasks" with a small
dropdown menu, then "other places" and a small dropdown
menu listing "my documents", "shared documents", and
my "network places". below that "details" and that shows
the last icon used. How did this get here and how do I
get rid of it? It's driving me crazy please help

 

[dev]

Jeffers said:

For some reason a bluestripe just appeared on the left
side of my desktop. It shows "folder tasks" with a small
dropdown menu, then "other places" and a small dropdown
menu listing "my documents", "shared documents", and
my "network places". below that "details" and that shows
the last icon used. How did this get here and how do I
get rid of it?

Doug's link, below. Click on XP-FIXES. Click on "remove common tasks
from Desktop"