OK, I'm really confused now. where is this unread mail message then? how do I delete net passport? I'm not sure what it is and don't have it in add/remove.
...Follow that link and click to download TweakUI.exe listed on the right.
Next, install and then run TweakUI. Should be in your start menu under Powertoys for Windows XP.
Then, navigate to this view:
Uncheck the box Show unread mail on welcome screen, and below, choose whether you want the changes to affect just you or all users on the system.
TweakUI will make the same changes in the registry as if you were to do it manually...only difference is it gives you a Graphical User Interface to make registry tweaking easier.