I've deleted QuickTime task from the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run location in my registry about 10 times. Every I run the Quicktime player or it is run by being embedded in the browser, the Quicktime Task applet gets tossed back in there and appears in my system tray next time I restart. How can I disable this thing so that it never gets put back in the run key in the registry? (please don't gimme that msconfig crap...I don't want to run selective startup.)

Have you ever looked in msconfig to see what does run at startup? I have at least 15 things disabled myself, you would be amazed at the crap that does run without you even knowing about it.

msconfig just shows you what is running in the startup folder on the start menu and in the registry key mentioned above as well has the same key under HKCU. Oh and under load= and run= in the win.ini. I keep all that stuff regularly cleaned out, so I know exactly what is running when I start my computer. It's just that every time I delete this little bugger, it comes back the next time I execute quicktime.

Unless anyone has a better idea, I'll get a hex editor or some other hacking tools and start digging at the quicktime executable.

Or since it's Quicktime 5.0.2 Pro maybe upgrading to Quicktime 6 will fix the problem.

Wow, this is bad. I keep all my computers at job clean from stuff like this. (I've even locked RealPlayer 8 so it can't upgrade to RealONE). If you find a solution, please let me know. I've noticed people at my job are starting to upgrade. I'd like to find a way to install the old version and lock it from being upgraded.

Perhaps you could just get an old version. Check out my mecca; oldversion.com . This site is a lifesaver for avoiding bloatware / spyware / stupidworthlessupgrade-ware. WINAMP 1.55 FOREVER!!

It's in the preferences...

Yes it is...in Quicktime 6. In Quicktime 5 it was not (either that or mine got hosed.) An update to Quicktime 6 fixed the problem. I had not wanted to upgrade and pay for the Pro license again, but I went ahead and did it.

Thanks for the help though.

I had not wanted to upgrade and pay for the Pro license again

But now you have access to an awesome MPEG 4 encoder. (I'm guessing the license fees for this is why Pro users had to pay for the upgrade again).