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Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu

Removing the OEM Link from the Start Menu

SUMMARY: Remove the seemingly-locked Windows XP Start Menu icon to your computer manufacturer.

Depending on how your Windows XP machine was configured by its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), a link to the company may appear at the bottom of the Start Menu. This could be a link to Dell's website, "Buy at ToshibaDirect", a link to Gateway, or another website link.

If you would like to clear up your Start Menu and remove this OEM icon, you need to access the Registry Editor.

Standard disclaimers apply when using the Registry Editor tool! Do so at your own risk as mistakes could cause your machine to not function!

1. Access the following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ CLSID \ {2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}

2. This key represents the OEM icon on the Start Menu. If you wish, make a backup copy of this key. Right-click the key and choose "Export", then export the key to a .REG file of your choosing.

3. Now, right-click the key and choose "Delete".

4. Press F5 to do a refresh.

5. Exit the Registry Editor.

The next time you click the Start Menu you should notice the OEM icon has disappeared.

If you later want to bring the icon back to the Start Menu, just double-click the .REG file you created and import its contents.