I know I can hide icons in the system tray, but I want to remove the ones I don't use. Is there a way to do this, and if so, how?

Thanks for any help.

The System Tray (Systray, labeled as notification area in the image above) shows the status of running programs. These are generally "utility" type programs like AntiVirus/Firewall, etc. or other programs that may need automatic updates or provide notification like "you've got mail" alerts.

You can do several different things with these.

1. Often, you can right click on an individual systray icon and choose "exit" or "quit". This stops the service, so be cautious about stopping protective utilities.

2. You can remove the program from the automatic startup list. This is done in several different ways including:

a. setting preferences within the program itself
b. deleting the startup command in the Start/All Programs/Startup folder
c. click "Start/Run" and type in: msconfig - Click OK. Then click the Startup tab and uncheck those items you wish to prevent from starting automatically. OK your choices and restart the computer when prompted.

3. Some other programs require more intensive efforts to stop. Often times this type of program is a "spyware" or virus type and is intentionally difficult to remove. Usually some form of removal utility (anti-virus/anti-spyware) can be used to rid the system of the infection.

I hope this will help!

Dwight

Wow, thanks, Dwight. What I want to remove is not protective software but programs I want to keep, but not to show in the tray on startup.

I did the msconfig thing, and about 20 files showed up. But in most cases, I have no idea what file name goes with which icon. For example, I have an icon there for "safely remove hardware," that has been there for years. Also one for Intel Extreme Graphics, Spybot 5D resident, Intel "cable disconnected," which has also been there for years, Intel "cable is disconnected," ditto. Did not recognize these in the list.

Any program that you don't need to run automatically can be safely stopped. You can then open it manually when desired.

Dwight

Thank you, Dwight!