What are they?

The Windows Systray is a section of of the desktop (lower right corner 99.9% of the time) that displays small icons representing what is currently loaded in the computers memory.  The following is what the Systray might look like on a typical computer:

There are a large variety of icons that can be loaded in the Systray; listed are some of the most commonly found programs and a brief description about each.

	Associated Program: Mcafee Virus Scan  When Loaded: After the Installation of Mcafee.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: After the drivers for the sound card have successfully loaded. If you are missing this icon refer to our Sound trouble shooting section.
	Associated Hardware: Microsoft Intellimouse When Loaded: After the Mouse drivers and the mouse have been successfully installed and loaded.
	Associated Program: Dialup Networking When Loaded: Once successfully connected to the Internet.
	Associated Program: Dr. Watson When Loaded: Located on the Windows 9x Systray when Dr. Watson is watching computer
	Associated Program: AOL Instant messenger. When Loaded: Once connected to the Internet and the program has successfully loaded into memory.
	Associated Program: Real Player When Loaded: After Real has been installed into the computer.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Messenger Service When Loaded: Once the program has successfully loaded and ran on the computer.
	Associated Program: ICQ When Loaded: Once the program has been successfully loaded and ran on the computer.
	Associated Program: NVIDIA video card drivers. When Loaded: When NVIDIA video card and drivers are installed in the computer.
	Associated Program: Local Area Network When Loaded:  When network connection is up.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: By default after installation of Windows or when selected to be displayed in the display propertied in control panel.
	Associated Program: First Aid When Loaded: After the installation of First Aid.
	Associated Program: MacAfee Virus Scan  When Loaded: After the Installation of MacAfee.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Active Sync When Loaded: After the installation of Microsoft Active Sync or Windows CE device.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Outlook When Loaded: When you receive mail in Microsoft Outlook this icon should appear in your systray.
	Associated Program: Winamp When Loaded: After the installation of Winamp and the setting to be displayed in the Systray.
	Associated Program: Norton Antivirus When Loaded: After the installation of Symantec Norton Virus protection utility.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: After the installation of Microsoft Windows 95+
	Associated Hardware: ATI Video Card When Loaded: After the successful installation of the ATI Video card software.
	Associated Program: Windows 95 / 98 / NT / 2000 / XP When Loaded: When CPU Usage monitor is loaded or on Windows NT, 2000 and XP if task manger is open.
	Associated Program: WinVNC When Loaded: When WinVNC is running.

Questions and Answers:

Do I need these items to be loaded with Windows?

Generally each program will offer the option to disable the systray feature (icon).  Open the associated program and look under Tools or Preferences in most cases, you will find a startup option that you may disable.  The startup option may be called Start Center, Run at Startup, etc.  Do not disable your Anti-Virus program!   or any other program that is important to your computing sessions.