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Getting Rid of An Icon & Program

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by David Favin, 2006/05/31.

  1. 2006/05/31
    David Favin

    David Favin Inactive Thread Starter

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    Troops:

    Along with START at the bottom of the desktop screen there are a series of icons allowing the quick start up of programs such as IM, ZoneAlarm, or volume control etc . Suppose one of these programs puts up a message immediately after the BOOT procedure and this program is not wanted at all. How does one get rid of the icon and the associated program? The program is not included in the Add/Removed listing. (It is a MS program affording WINDOWS updating.)
    How it got into my computer I could not say. It must have been installed when I downloaded something I did want such as desktop google...or something like that.
    So Once again how does one get rid of it?

    David
     
  2. 2006/05/31
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    What's the name of the program & how do you know for sure that's its from MS ?
     

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  4. 2006/06/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    A yellow shield with a black ! mark in it ?

    Your deduction is correct - it was placed there by Windows/Microsoft update and advises, that critical updates are available. If you have these set at Automatic the updates will download and install - automatically- when you are connected to the Internet. If you have updates set to notify the shield will remain until you click on it and install the updates. When the updates are installed the shield will disappear.

    This is a security feature to ensure that your OS is updated as and when required.
     
  5. 2006/06/01
    David Favin

    David Favin Inactive Thread Starter

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    Pete:

    Thanks for the response. I understand this to be MS trying to get me to update XP but I want to control when an how I use the update process. I may be strange but I resent having this procedure getting into my computer by some devious means. My question remains and is this. How do I get rid of the prompting program and the icon which is in the form of a blue 5 armed star?

    David
     
  6. 2006/06/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    How do I get rid of the prompting program and the icon which is in the form of a blue 5 armed star? We are clearly talking of different programs. Any clues from the icon - right click on it - any options, etc.

    The only star shaped icon that vaguely fits your description in my mind is the one now placed there by the latest Windows Validation tool to indicate that your copy ox XP is illegal - which I am sure is not the case :)

    Re. MS updates - the yellow shield I mentioned - if you really want to be rid of the advisory go into Security Center in Control Panel and turn Automatic Updates Off - not recommended, but your call.
     
  7. 2006/06/01
    David Favin

    David Favin Inactive Thread Starter

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    Pete:

    OK I turned off the Security Center Automatic Updates. The interesting thing is that I never turned it on or had seen it before.
     

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