Setup the Microsoft Network
        When Windows is installed, you will find an icon on your desktop labeled SETUP THE MICROSOFT NETWORK. This is ONLY needed if you have chosen MSN (Microsoft Network) to be your internet provider. If you already are using the internet, then you don’t need this icon.
        To remove this icon, right-click on it and choose DELETE.

Online Services
        When Windows is installed, you will find a folder icon on your desktop labeled ONLINE SERVICES. Again, this is ONLY needed if you wish to have AMERICA ONLINE – COMPUSERVE – PRODIGY – or AT&T WORLDNET as your internet provider. If you already are using the internet, then you don’t need this folder. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it.
        To remove it – from the START menu, choose SETTINGS – then CONTROL PANEL. Double-click on the ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS icon. Click on the WINDOWS SETTINGS tab. Remove the checkmark next to ONLINE SERVICES – then click on OK. This should remove the folder from your desktop.

Folders and Icons
        The folders and icons that are on your desktop should only be shortcuts. How do you know if it is a shortcut or not? If the icon contains a bent arrow in the lower left corner of the icon, that should denote that it is a shortcut. You can also right-click on the icon and choose PROPERTIES. If it is a shortcut, there will be a shortcut tab and it will tell you where the original one is located. If there is no shortcut tab, then try this --- from the START menu, choose FIND. Type in the name of your icon or folder on your desktop and click on FIND NOW. If two folders or files with the same name are located – then it is up to you to determine if these folders or files are the same. If they are the same, then you can right-click on the one on the desktop and DELETE it.

Quick Launch Taskbar
        Remember, the purpose of the quick launch taskbar is to provide quick (one-click) access to your most used programs. There is no need to clutter this area up with programs that you either don’t use at all or use very seldom.
        To remove any of these icons that you are not using, right-click on them and choose DELETE.
 
 

Taskbar Order
        If you find that the order of the quick launch taskbar and the open programs has changed places (normally the quick launch taskbar is to the right of the START button and to the left of the open programs) – you can change this order by placing your cursor on the handle of the quick launch taskbar, when the double-headed arrow appears – hold down your left mouse button and drag it over the top of the open programs.

Icons by clock on taskbar
        The number of icons that you have listed by the clock should be kept at a minimum. All of these icons represent something that is running and therefore using system resources. Do you need to have all of them running? They should only be running IF it is a program that you use. But if you decide that you do not use one of these programs – how do you stop it from running?
        If you place your cursor over these icons, you will be able to identify what they are. If you right click on any of these icons, you can DISABLE them or EXIT them. This is a safe way of doing it because it only stops the program from running UNTIL the computer is rebooted – then the program (and icon) will be there again and running. If you wish to stop any of these programs from automatically running in the background every time that you start your computer – then the choice is different for each program.
        For instance, you do not have to have the Windows Scheduler running UNLESS it is something that you use. To stop this program from appearing (or running in the background), you would double click on the icon to open up the program. Then under the ADVANCED menu, click on STOP USING THE TASK SCHEDULER.