If they are on your Quick Launch Taskbar, they are not slowing your
computer, to any degree. If they are in the System Tray, then, yes, you
have way too many programs starting at boot.
Right click on an icon in the Quick Launch area and select
Properties.....the General tab will tell you if it is, in fact, a shortcut.
After verification as a shortcut, you can simply delete it, if you desire.
Icons in the System Tray (lower right, next to the clock) indicate programs
starting at boot and should be stopped from within the program
itself.....this should be able to be done in the Settings or Options portion
of the application. There are third party programs to manage Startup
programs, i.e. Crap Cleaner, free from,
www.ccleaner.com . You can use the
Startup tab of MSCONFIG to uncheck an application, but, this is not the most
desirable method of managing your startup axis. The following site does a
fine job of telling you what your need at startup and what is "fluff."
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
Heirloom, old and hope that helps