How can I stop RealPlayer from loading on start-up?

When RealPlayer is installed it adds StartCenter to your system tray (the area that shows you the date and time opposite the Start button). This keeps RealPlayer in idle mode so that it is quickly available should you click on a file that requires RealPlayer and allows your Channel Headlines to automatically update while you maintain a connection to the Internet as well as keeping you updated with Flashes.

Additionally this icon allows you to function on clips that are currently playing even if RealPlayer is minimized. To see these functions, right-click the RealPlayer icon in your Windows System Tray.

If you wish to remove the icon permanently from your Windows System Tray:

1. Right-click the icon

2. Select Preferences

3. Go to the General tab

4. Select Settings... in the StartCenter section.

5. Deselect Enable StartCenter.

If you simply select Close StartCenter when you right-click the icon, you will only disable the feature for the current Windows session. StartCenter will load the next time you reboot Windows.

To get RealPlayer to load in the system tray on start-up again:

1. Open View/Preferences from your RealPlayer menus.

2. Choose the General tab.

3. Click Settings... in the StartCenter section

4. Click Enable StartCenter.

5. RealPlayer will add StartCenter back to your system tray.

6. Click OK to close Settings...

7. Click OK to close your Preferences.