On the start menu, click start, and what comes up, recently used program list -- what does it mean when programs are on there that you haven't used, or appeared there overnight? Is someone accessing my computer? (not here at this location, they are not) but remotely?? Anyone know ANYTHING about this?

Just to say-- Do you check for, and remove, Spyware ?? Spyware info.from Microsoft Most Virus and Spyware scans are likely to work better in Windows Safe-Mode. Description of the Start Menu in Windows XP Watch for help from others.

Recently Used Program (RUP) list shows what you have used recently. It appears in the Start Menu only if yours is set to XP Start Menu. If you switch to Classic Start menu The RUP list will no longer appear to annoy you. i_XpUser

Dear keltoid: If you suspect that someone might be accessing your computer from a remote location you might also disable the "remote registry" service as a precation. This should help to prevent someone from remotely accessing your registry. Go to control panels -> Administrative tools -> Services Double click the "remote registry" service. Then under "startup type" set it to "disable" this service. This might help. wayne

Thank you Wayne - that is the closest thing to what I was looking for - I was just wondering if anyone had ever heard of such a thing before? WHY would these programs be under the recently used list, when they have NOT been used.. Thanks