Changing the programs that automatically run on laptop

Hi,

When I start up my computer I have quite a few icons in the bottom right corner of the screen, including skype, realplayer, some bt thing, msn messenger, adobe etc

My understanding is that

A) these are the programs that automatically start up when I switch my laptop on and they are kinda "running", ie taking up memory, while they are in the bottom right corner.

B) there is something I can do to change which programs automatically start up.

I would like to do this because my laptop is fairly old and slow and I could do with any extra memory or speed that was posssible. What I am donig now is right clicking on them all and cosing them, it does seem to make the laptop run better.

So, is A true and if it is how can I do B?

Thanks

Click on the start button in the bottom left hand corner

Select "run"

Type in "msconfig" and press enter

Click on the startup tab

Most of the things in it can be unticked safely - except firewalls & anti virus

Press OK & restart.

With some programs, in the programs "options" (sometimes configuration, or tools...look for anything similar on the main program window) an option exists to run at windows startup, untick that option if it's present.
If you are using XP, have a look at Black Vipers Tweaks which is an understandable step by step to improve performance , especially if you're getting a bit limited in performance.
Disk cleanup and disk defrag every week or two is helpful, too.

Problem solved.

Thanks a lot.