In properties for the Start button you can specify which icons should be hidden or not hidden. There is a list of icons for programs I have removed, but how do I remove the history file here?

Under the Start Button properties click the customize button, then click the clear list button. KTTD

Nigel, Just to add to Kevins' instructions after you click the Customize button under the "Advanced" tab is where the "Clear List" button is and also take the checkmark out of "List my recently opened documents". Tufenuf

To the above messages, be nice. These people are trying to help, for nothing. To remove any remnants of an old uninstalled program. Use a registry cleaner. Make sure you back up your registry first, just in case. Cya

Kevin and Tufenuf, there is no clear list button, only a button named restore defaults, and it is when I click this button all the old programs are shown. What I can choose is:always visible, always hidden and hidden when inactive. This may be because I have a non English version of XP, but I don't think so. Cya, I have searches the registry and I have used RegCleaner with no hits. So any ather suggestions? Nigel

Nigel, Do the following to get to the "Clear List" button, Right click Start, Click "Properties", under the Start Menu tab click the "Customize" button, under the Advanced tab click the "Clear List" button on the bottom right. You can also uncheck the "List my most recently opened documents" and "OK" your way out. HTH Tufenuf

Thanks Tufenuf, however your suggestion just clears my start menu list. The system tray icons history that is located on the other tab under Start, Properties (I don't know the English title), under the customize button, still contains icons referring to removed programs. Even when I have rebooted after following your instruction. They don't really bother me, it's just annoying not to understand all UI aspects of XP. Nigel