1. Keep those icons away from your taskbar clock! They hog RAM [readily available memory].

Software programs are notorious for adding startup keys. In other words, as soon as you turn on your computer and logon, they run too. This can slow-up your computer, bigtime! Ever wonder why your computer takes so long to boot up? This may be the cause...you have too many startup programs, or stuff running in the background. Much of the time we install programs without thinking about this. But, unless you really need a program to start when you logon...such as an anti-spyware, anti-virus program, server or a firewall, then I would suggest disabling the icons in your taskbar.

The first thing I would ask myself is: Do I really need __________ to come on when I turn on my computer? Or can I just start the program manually when I need it? [fill in the blank with the name of the program]

Instant Messaging [Yahoo! IM, MSN, AOL or AIM, etc.], media players, Peer-to-Peer networks, even some Office programs are bad about placing icons by your clock and logging you in to their service automatically. How difficult would it be to send a shortcut to your desktop or quicklaunch and just open it from there when you want it? My recommendation is to right-click on those icons and disable them. Usually the Preferences or Options of a program will have a check box next to a statement like this: "Run this program when Windows [your computer] starts" or "Place an icon in the taskbar". Uncheck the box, then save or hit "apply" or "ok".

Some programs also have an automatic update feature which runs in the background all the time. Again, this is up to you. Your important programs such as firewall, antivirus, etc should be receiving critical updates. But it's also very easy to update most programs from their Help Tab, or Preferences Tab all on your own.

Another place to look for startup programs is in the Startup Folder on you computer. On a Windows system, there is usually a link to this folder in the Start Menu. Click Start/All Programs/Startup. You can right-click on this folder and Open or Open all Users if you are sharing the computer with another logon name. This will give you a partial list of programs that start when you turn on your computer. Examine these links carefully before making a decision to delete them.

My philosophy is this: if I am not using the program, I don't want any processes or icons associated with it to be running...There are always exceptions, however, and if you are not sure about a certain process that runs without the program being open, then proceed on the side of caution.

Here is a link to the most comprehensive list of startup items I have ever found:
http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

HOME