Windows Messenger and Windows XP Home

[Chris D]

Hi guys, I have Windows Messenger (a now pretty much redundant version of MSN Messenger that ships with Windows XP) on my PC and I can't get rid of it!

I go to Add/Remove programs to try and uninstall it from there but it says it isn't even installed. I've installed MSN Explorer which I know utilises Windows Messenger and I have also taken it out of my msconfig Start Up list but without fail, every time I log on, the two versions of Messenger (MSN and Windows) both open.

The other pain in the arse with Windows Messenger is you can't just close it down because apparenly IE and Outlook use it - neither of which I ever use anymore because I use Mozilla applications now.

I'm normally pretty competent with computers but this one has completely thrown me. I'm sure I could just delete the program files but something is still going to try and open it every time I log in anyway so I want it completely off.

 

[lePobz]

Just delete the messenger folder from c:/program files/

 

[blahblahblah]

Cleaning up windows messenger is nearly impossible. Here are a couple of solutions, each more drastic.

- Open up windows messenger and there should be an option to prevent it from loading up. Its hidden in so you have to look carefully. I would give you further directions but there is no way I am opening up windows messenger.

- Go to Start and then select "Set Program Access and Defaults." There should be an option to remove windows messenger from being the default messenger program.

- Turn off remote assistance (it is a program you almost never need but uses windows messenger). It is in your control panel, system, remote tab and then deselect remote assistance.

- search around on Microsoft's knowledge base and look for a registry tweak to completely eliminate windows messenger. Messing with your registry is not the safest thing to do. If you decide you want to go this route, make a backup of your registry before you attempt anything.

 

[poseyjmac]

also, in the future if you happen to make a custom Winxp install cd, add this to your winnt.sif file:

under [components]
msmsgs=off

then it wont install msn messenger at all when you next install xp.

custom unattended xp installs = the win

 

[The Mullinator]

I havn't tried any of this myself so I don't know how good it is but...

http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/messenger/messenger.php

 

[Hot Soup]

Chris

go into run and use this
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

 

[Gorgon]

Chrise,



here you go:
http://www.tweakxp.com/tweak487.aspx
http://www.tweakxp.com/tweak1583.aspx

note: there are more ways to do it at that sit.

 

[Chris D]

Thanks a lot HotSoup, I think I'd sort of fixed it but that's definitely removed it.

Cheers.

 

[Hot Soup]

cool , no worries
and gorgon is right more than one and tweak xp is a nifty site but i prefer the rmeove outright option