AS to the task bar. Just click on a non program part of it and drag it wherever you want. Right the same spot for Properties set any bits as you like (hide/don't hide or show clocl or not, etc.)

RegClean is very good but it sounds like much too much glitch built up to really help.

ABSOLUTELY do not delete the registry item. Unless you can track all the parts of these programs. That is, they certainly did not Uninstall cleanly and the still-remaining library files (dll) are likely what's clogging up memory and boot-up. I wouldn't even think of this one without real expert help.

You don't mention how up-to-date you are with anti-virus and AdAware protection. You might try one of those "Clean Up Your Computer - $50" places but sadly, the best thing you can do is the abomnible formar and reload everything. You haven't cleaned out the dust from the closet in 10 years & there's no paliative.