If you simply want to remove stuff from the list of items in the system tray, using XP then. Go to the desktop Push tab, to get to Start button. Push applications key and select properties from the menu. It now starts trying to confuse you, but, tab down the list until it gets to a check box for "Show inactive icons. If you want to remove the clutter uncheck this and tab down to OK. Having done that and checking the tray, you should have virtually nothing there. but everything is still running.