removing program from system tray

[CIW]

I am trying to remove programs from my system tray as it seems to be slowing
down my computer. I went to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup, but did not see any of the programs that show in my
system tray located there.

Is there another location?

Thanks,

Carol Wiegmann

 

[BillW50]

In CIW typed on Mon, 5 Oct 2009 06:59:02 -0700:

I am trying to remove programs from my system tray as it seems to be
slowing down my computer. I went to C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, but did not see any of the
programs that show in my system tray located there.

Is there another location?

Thanks,

Carol Wiegmann

Some of them instead of being under All Users, can be found under the
user's name too. But many of them are in the Windows Registry instead.
There are lots of utilities to list them and to enable and disable them.
But XP also has one of its own. Just run MSCONFIG.

Start
Run
MSCONFIG
Check Selective Startup
Startup (tab)
Uncheck the ones you want to disable

 

[Malke]

I am trying to remove programs from my system tray as it seems to be
slowing
down my computer. I went to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup, but did not see any of the programs that show in my
system tray located there.

Is there another location?

It is always better to stop programs from starting with Windows from within
the programs themselves, so look in their Options before changing anything
with msconfig - you're just examining things at this stage. If a program
doesn't offer any way to control startup from its Preferences, then use
msconfig to uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK out.

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
unless you really, really know what you're doing.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

And of course, make sure your computer is virus/malware-free:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am trying to remove programs from my system tray as it seems to be slowing
down my computer. I went to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup, but did not see any of the programs that show in my
system tray located there.

Is there another location?

First, note that you should be concerned with *all* programs that
start automatically, not just with those that go into the system tray.
Not all autostarting programs manifest themselves by an icon in the
tray.

On each program you don't want to start automatically, check its
Options to see if it has the choice not to start (make sure you
actually choose the option not to run it, not just a "don't show icon"
option). Many can easily and best be stopped that way. If that doesn't
work, run MSCONFIG from the Start | Run line, and on the Startup tab,
uncheck the programs you don't want to start automatically.

However, if I were you, I wouldn't do this just for the purpose of
running the minimum number of programs. Despite what many people tell
you, you should be concerned, not with how *many* of these programs
you run, but *which*. Some of them can hurt performance severely, but
others have no effect on performance.

Don't just stop programs from running willy-nilly. What you should do
is determine what each program is, what its value is to you, and what
the cost in performance is of its running all the time. You can try
google searches and ask about specifics here.

Once you have that information, you can make an intelligent informed
decision about what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am trying to remove programs from my system tray as it seems to be slowing
down my computer. I went to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup, but did not see any of the programs that show in my
system tray located there.

Is there another location?

Thanks,

Carol Wiegmann

In most cases, with "well-mannered" applications, it's usually as
simple as opening the undesired program and deselecting the option to
"display icon in the system tray" or to "start when Windows starts."

Additionally, Look in the C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Start Menu\Programs\Start Up and C:\Documents and
Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Start Up folders, and in the
system registry, primarily in the
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run keys.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310560


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Jose]

I am trying to remove programs from my system tray as it seems to be slowing
down my computer.  I went to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup, but did not see any of the programs that show in my
system tray located there.

Is there another location?

Thanks,

Carol Wiegmann

Hover your mouse over the icons and see what the programs are from the
pop up message.

This way, you will not spend time looking around in those certain
areas for those certain things that might be there, those certain
programs and those likely and/or probable culprits. You will know
what they are, where to look and what to do about it and not have to
guess.

Decide if you need them.

If you don't need them, disable them using the method appropriate for
the application. MSCONFIG is A way to disable things, but generally
not THE way, but it is effective. If you have not identified the
programs before hand, you will just be guessing anyway.

If you really do need them, you may be able to disable their option to
even display an icon in the System Tray but still have access through
other methods (like Volume Control).

If the icons are merely annoying but you need access to the programs
sometimes, consider just hiding the icons and just leave yourself just
a System Clock and a < arrow. You can still get to the stuff, but
the icons are hiding until you need them.

If you do not know what the program is and a Google search does not
help, we can help and then offer advice.