When I remove the icon for Outlook XP from my desktop it prompts me
with a warning saying that the icon has special functionality and
suggests I not remove it.  I was wondering what this special
functionality was?

Hi davious,

The Outlook XP icon on your desktop appears to be a separate program
or script that is connected to Outlook. When you right-click on that
icon and select Properties, a menu comes up that is all about Outlook
Express setup. If you double-click the icon, then Outlook itself
loads. I believe that this icon is a configration program or script
for launching Outlook. You can change some parameters by altering it's
properties, and when you launch the icon, Outlook will launch with the
properties selectd.

Essentially, it is a glorified Desktop Shortcut to Outlook.

Hope this helps.

That seems to be it, thanks!