If not properly controlled, Internet Explorer's Active Channels can take over your Desktop, your system resources, and your life. Here's how to add and remove them from your Desktop and control their various intrusive properties.

To use channels smoothly, you must configure Internet Explorer as your default browser. You can access Active Channels with Navigator (they're just Web pages), but you may get Java errors.

Get the Channel Bar on screen. If you don't have a Channel Bar on your Desktop and for some strange reason would like to have it, click StartûSettingsûActive DesktopûCustomize my Desktop. Next, under the Web tab, check both View my active Desktop as a Web page and Internet Explorer Channel Bar. Click OK. Remember, you can also view the Channel Bar within IE, where it's less intrusive and can be hidden more easily. To activate it from inside the browser, just click the Channels button (the one that looks like a satellite dish) on the toolbar. To close it, click it again.

Kill the Channel Bar. If you don't approve of letting that obnoxious Channel Bar hog valuable Desktop space, vanquish it by clicking the X icon in the top-right corner of the bar (if the X isn't there, move your cursor to the top of the bar and it will appear). When Windows asks whether you want the bar to come back the next time you boot, tell it No.

Add and remove channels. To add a Web page you're viewing to the Channel Bar, click the Add Active Channel button featured on that Web page. But you probably don't want to receive an endless stream of flashing headlines, so make sure you set limits. In particular, don't let the channel determine how frequently it will download updates. It may ask a question like How should subscriptions be updated? or it may offer a Customize Subscriptions button. Use whatever option it provides for manually updating the channel.

To remove channels from the bar, right-click the channel's icon and select Delete.

Want easy access to a Web site from your Desktop rather than from the Channel Bar? While viewing a Web page, right-click a blank spot on the page and select Create Shortcut.

Put a channel on your Desktop. Some channels include graphic elements ù blinking boxes, scrolling marquees, gratuitous ads, and the like ù that you can add to your Desktop. If this appeals to you, make sure Web content is enabled for your Desktop: Select StartûSettingsûActive DesktopûCustomize My Desktop. Click the Folder Options button and then the General tab. Select Custom, based on settings you choose, and click the Settings button. In the Custom Settings dialogue box, under Active Desktop, pick Enable all Web-related content on my Desktop. Click OK.

If a Web page contains an Add to Active Desktop button, you can add the channel to your Desktop. But before you click that button, know what you're getting into. Some channels plaster your Desktop with their own content, rife with ads and ticker headlines. Others deposit ugly flashing or revolving logos. Usually these elements are designated by icons on the channel screen near the Subscribe button. Be sure to look them over carefully before you click Add to Active Desktop. And once again, set the channel for manual updating.

Remove channels from your Desktop. If you're tired of the blinking boxes and other gimmicks on your Desktop, head to StartûSettingsûActive DesktopûCustomize my Desktop. Under the Web tab, uncheck the box next to the listed channel.

Update channels yourself. In Explorer, choose FavoritesûManage Subscriptions. Select the subscription you wish to update, and click the Update icon ù or the Update All icon to get the latest information from all your channels.