Midknyte, ------I followed your advice and used the information from the Windows 7 forum using both options with unsuccessful results. In addition, Step 5 of the second option provides guidance for rebuilding the Icon Cache to the original default values. I also went through that procedure. Again, there was no change in the start up process, all icons appeared slowly in their second appearance before the computer became useable.

SpywareDr, ----- I agree with you about slow booting due to a large number of desktop icons. Earlier, before my first posting, I removed all but two icons (My Computer & Recycle Bin) from from the desktop. Many of the remaining I installed to the Task bar. Again, there was a noticeable delay.

My impression is that there is nothing wrong with the Icon Cache and that removing all icons from the desktop and task bar will eliminate my problem. But the thought of searching the computer for a program used only occasionally doesn't seem too appealing. In any case thank you for your help and if any further advice occurs to you I would appreciate it.