Readers Questions.
IF01941
Q.
Do the Icons in the System Tray Slow My Computer Down?
I have a
large number of icons in my system tray (in the left hand lower corner of the
screen) which I don't use and would like to remove.
A.
No, those icons will not slow down your computer, because they do not represent
actively running programs. They are "quick launch" icons, which are placed there
by software installation programs, ostensibly for your convenience. The only
difference between these icons and the ones on your desktop is that you can
single-click on a
Quick Launch Icon to start the associated program, whereas
desktop icons must be double-clicked.
Getting Rid
of a
Quick Launch icon
Software
makers like to clutter up your Windows task bar with these quick launch icons
because it gives the icon (and thus the company's brand) more visibility on your
desktop. To delete a quick launch icon, you can right-click it and then select
Delete. My personal opinion is that quick launch icons have little value.
Fortunately, you can turn off the quick launch toolbar if you find it not to
your liking. To do so, right-click an empty spot on the task bar, select
Toolbars, then click to de-select Quick Launch. You can turn it back on by
following the same procedure.
What about
those icons over on the right?
Unlike the
quick launch icons, the little icons on the right-hand side of the task bar do
represent actively running programs. To find out what program is associated with
an icon, let your mouse cursor hover over the icon (without clicking) and a text
balloon will show the name of the program. Most of these programs can be safely
terminated by
right-clicking and then selecting Exit. Some also let you change
the options so they won't appear every time you start your computer.
It is
important to note that there is never one fix for a question.
What may work for one person might not for the next. Depending on the problem
and the way it is described by the Computer Owner there may be Six different
approaches to a positive outcome. If the first answer I give you to your
question doesn’t work let me know and I will send you another.
Just give me details.
Let me know if you need anything else.
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