The default behavior for XP is to save the desktop configuration on exiting the operating system. To prevent saving the desktop configuration, make the following registry edit:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.
Data Type: REG_DWORD (Dword Value) // Value Name: NoSaveSettings
Setting for Value Data: [0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled]