Background and Start Up programs: Which can I remove?

I know how to remove conditions and shut off start-up programs, but not sure which ones I can soundly remove or shut off.

How can I know for sure. I own window XP Home edition.

Background and Start Up programs: Which can I remove?

You can do Start, later RUN, then type

msconfig

Then uncheck items contained by the Startup tab.



To find out what each Startup(or Process) item

does or way, and any recommendation as to if you should close the process:

http://www.answersthatwork.com/tasklist_...

Task List Programs
Google something you consider you want to remove to see what it does. If it is a system file move off it alone.



Without knowing what you are running and what you don't want it is impossible to say.
No one can detail you that, we don't have any means of access of knowing exactly what programs are running.
Shut off everything which is NOT concerned beside your computer's security, resembling real-shields of your anti-virus and anti-spyware, firewall etc. For removing / adding auto-start entries, step to Start > Run and type 'msconfig'. Then click on 'Startup' tab and do whatever you necessitate. Sorry if you already know this, but it is always safer to disable things from here fairly than using any other software.