>>Trying out launchy, and from what I can see, it's quite handy for some things. May need a bit of taming, but that's to be expected.
>
>As soon as it gets used to your preferences first letter will bring up your application name
>
>>Now how do I turn the desktop off.
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>I use X-Setup to turn it off, but it is more like a registry setting HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDesktop

Now that I think of it, I'm not the only one using this machine, so the desktop will have to stay... with only two or three icons on it.

>>Specifically, how do I get to have nothing in the start menu
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>No idea, how about deleting the groups, though Launcy will have then to be pointed to C:\Program Files
>>and the toolbars?

Done already.

>Rightclick the blank task bar area and untick all the toolbars under the Toolbar menu.
>
>Hope it helps.

Also done already, removed some of my toolbars. I'll fiddle with this for a while and see what gives.