How to remove specfic tasks from the task bar?

[Powerstroke2000]

I find that "Windows Messenger" is always on my taskbar, which I never use. My daughter does use it under her own name/title on the computer, but I don't know how to remove it, so that it is off of my own settings?
I can do a right click "exit", but is there an easier way to get it so that it only comes up when asked for, rather than on my task bar?
For that matter, hopefully with some information on how to do this, I'll be able to rid myself of other applications running that don't need to be as well.

Thanks..

Dale

[rjfvillarosa]

You need to stop it starting when Windows starts, open messenger (not a chat window) and in Tools>Options>General uncheck "start messenger when Windows starts" do this for every account on the computer, then go to Start>Run> type MSCONFIG and when the window opens up click the startup tab, in startup uncheck the box next to messenger.
When you close this window it will ask you to do a restart, restart your machine and you will see a new window warning you that you are using the configuration utility (MSCONFIG) to trouble shoot your computer, check the little box so that the window does not come up everytime you start Windows, now look to make sure messenger is not running.
Your daughter can access messenger from programs.

[Powerstroke2000]

Thanks! Is there a way of figuring out "which" tasks within Msconfig can be unchecked, so that there isn't as many tasks on the bar? Things such as Quicktime and Realaudio really don't need to be running in the background as far as I'm concerned.

Is there a website which goes through the various tasks that "should" be left running, so that folks know which ones can be unchecked?

Thanks very much for the help.

Dale

[glc]

Just experiment. You can recheck items if needed. Worst case, if you have bootup problems, you can do it in safe mode.

[rjfvillarosa]

Download and run HighJackThis, from the log file it produces cut and paste the "04" entries back here.
The 04's are your startup programs and maybe we help you choose which ones you don't need.
Google highjackthis and download it to your desktop, it only takes a few minutes to run, make sure you run it right after booting up your machine before you run anything else.