Quick Launch icons

I have quick launch icons for IE and OE on the left side of my taskbar. I don't need them there as I have shortcuts to these programs on my desktop. Is it o.k. to remove these? If so, how do I do this? Also, will it make any difference if they are removed -- are they running in the background?

Thanks

 

Yes, it's okay to remove them. It won't make any difference if you remove them, they're just shortcuts.

Either drag them to the Recycle Bin and drop them in or right click on them (one at a time) and left click on Delete.

If you want to get rid of all of the icons there at once, right click on an empty space on the TaskBar, go to Toolbars and click on Quick Launch. Do that again to get them back.

 

Quite alright to delete. They are shortcuts too. (One click shortcuts ) Just right click and delete.