Windows XP forum: How the heck do I get rid of Windows Messenger?

MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger and Messenger service..

Google it ... you will get alot of tips on the removal for each one you want.

Or just search this forum ..

Hi, i am new to this forum but i will tell you what i did to get rid of the messenger. There is the ''msn messenger''. This is used for chatting. You can go to ''add and remove programs'' in control panel. look down the list for messenger. Highlight it then go to remove at the right side of the same line. Follow the prompts.
If it is windows messenger, this is a different one to msn messenger. You will find this one under ''administrative tools'' in the control panel. Click on that icon then look for ''services''. Go down the list till you find it. It is just called MESSENGER. Right click on it and disable from there.
If you want to get rid of msn messenger altogether from the computer you can do this through your control panel then ADD and REMOVE programs. Click on ''Add and Remove Windows Components''. Then look for msn messenger. Untick the box then follow the prompts. This will get rid of it. You can always get it back by going to the hotmail site where you can download the new version. I hope this helps you.
Make a SYSTEM RESTORE POINT FIRST, BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING.

I looked in 'services' like you said, and it says that 'messenger' there is not related to 'windows messenger.'

Go to http://www.grc.com/default.htm, download, and run "Shoot the Messanger". Save the download and you can always run it again to turn it back on.

While there look at "UnPlug n' Pray" and "DCOMbobulator" for similar programs to solve other problems.

If you are comfortable editing the registry, you can do this, after you create a restore point, of course...

If you're one of those people who don't use, don't like, and don't want Windows Messenger. Here's how you can get rid of it completely.

Click Start, Run and enter the following command:
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\inf\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
Note: This will prevent a long delay when opening Outlook Express if you have the Contacts pane enabled. To prevent this, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express
Right click in the right pane and select New, Dword value. Give it the name Hide Messenger Double click this new entry and set the value to 2.

I just renamed msmsgs.exe to something else. Simple, yes?

Hiya everyone

I have used this small program for years on many pc's and it works a treat, just click on the Uninstall Windows Messenger box and then click apply. You will be told that it has been successful and you will have to reboot, but after that it will be gone!
Go here to download the file, its in zip form and small to download even if on dialup. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_mess_disable.htm
Cheers

If you read the fine print when choosing this option you will see that it only removes the icon on the desktop.

in the add/remove windows components. This is what it says if you highlight the messenger option:

Description: Adds or removes ACCESS to windows messenger from the start menu

You will not stop the messenger from running apparently!

To uninstall messenger in XP copy this line to start run


RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

That's a very very novice advice. Really !!

Never ever remove your programs by simply deleting the folder containing the program.

For most programs you'll start facing error messages at start-up if any of the components are slated to run at start-up.

Further in the long run your registry (the heart of your system) will be contaning nothing but most of the junk of programs you deleted by removing their folders. Eventually the system will get so slow that you'd rather feel formatting or, changing the system.

ALWAYS USE "ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS" TO REMOVE ANY PROGRAM YOU INTEND TO.
NEVER DELETE ANY OF THE FOLDERS ASSOCIATED WITH WINDOWS FOLDERS IN ANY WAY.
TO REMOVE WINDOWS COMPONENTS USE "ADD/REMOVE WINDOWS" COMPONENTS TAB IN ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS.

try one of the two
http://www.wintipz.com/XP/DisableMessenger.htm
or
http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/docs/messagepopup/

Are you asking how to get rid of Windows Messenger?

If so, which methods suggested in this discussion didn't work for you? What happened when you tried them?

Mark