How to remove OEM link from the Windows XP Start Menu?

Usually, OEMs add their icon to the Start menu which may launch a website, folder or a program when clicked. Example.. Do More With Gateway link for Gateway computers, Presario info center link for Compaq Presario systems. Use the instructions in this article to remove the OEM Link from Windows XP Start menu.

Removing the OEM Link

Hide the OEM Link from Start Menu

• Right-click the New Start Menu and choose Properties
• Click Start Menu tab, Customize, Advanced tab
• In the Start Menu items list, uncheck Manufacturer Link
• Click OK, and OK

The OEM Link should no longer appear in the New Start Menu. In case the Manufacturer Link checkbox is unavailable in the list, you may need to use the following registry edit:

• Click Start, Run. Type Regedit.exe and press ENTER
• Navigate to this location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \  Software\ Microsoft \ Windows\  CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ StartMenu \ StartPanel \ ShowOEMLink

• In the right-pane, set NoOEMLinkInstalled Value to 0
• Close Registry Editor and restart Windows.

The Manufacturer Link entry should now appear in the 'Start Menu Items' dialog. Uncheck it. This hides the OEM Link from Start Menu. If you wish to remove the registry reference to the OEM Link completely [Optional], you will need to delete the following key in the Registry:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ CLSID \ {2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
-and-
Set NoOEMLinkInstalled value to 1 in the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Start Menu \ StartPanel \ ShowOEMLink