Dear All,
This is an irritating problem. Every time I start up Outlook Express, which is my email client, Windows messenger forces itself open with it. I have managed to set it up such that it does not log on, but it still starts up with outlook! Under outlook express's settings, i chose NOT to log in msn messenger automatically ehen outlook express starts up, and under msn messenger, I set it up such that it does not start up with windows, AND its not allowed to run in the background.
So to keep a long story short:

-MSN is not on the taskbar, and it is closed. However, launching outlook express FORCES a launch of the MSN messenger (windows messenger) application with it.

I have tried to look under add/remove programs for windows messenger as a windows component, but couldn't find it. Please help. This is really irritating!

Poll:

	Trillian [my favorite]		16% (2 votes)
	regular AOL		0% (0 votes)
	Aol Instant messenger (AIM)		8% (1 votes)
	ICQ		39% (5 votes)
	Yahoo! messenger		8% (1 votes)
	MSN messenger or windows messenger (XP)		24% (3 votes)
	IRC/MIRC/etc...		8% (1 votes)

Wasn't there some times ago a batch file that forced Windows Messenger to uninstall?
But I started using it... besides ICQ... And - I like it

Hello.

I found this on: http://www.xp-erience.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=14#Disa

Uninstall windows messenger
Microsoft has tried really hard to prevent you from uninstalling windows messenger. They failed to make it difficult enough because with the directions below you can get rid of messenger very easily.
Navigate to C:\windows\inf
Open sysoc.inf
find msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7 in the file and take out the word hide so the line would look like msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7
Close the file and save it
Now go to the Add and remove programs applet in the control panel and you will be able to uninstall windows messenger.
Make sure to click on the add remove windows components button.
Note: You will be able to uninstall other unneeded programs by removing hide from the sysoc.inf file as well.

Have a nice day,

Thanx. I have just uninstalled it. make life a lot simpler! :-)

I have done this many many times, I did it with Win2k as well. I never see these options on the add/remove list though! I don't see them on add/remove, or in the Windows Components sections. Can someone give me a hand?

Sure. I beleive this trick is a WindowsXP-only trick since "Windows Messenger" comes bundeled with Windows XP whether you like it or not. So Under WindowsXP edit the sysoc.inf file as described above, and it will work (it did so for me). For Windows 2000. you need not do anything but go into Add/remove programs and look for MSN messenger and remove it. MSN messenger/Windows Messenger comes bundeled ONLY with WindowsXP and its a pain in the a** to uninstall in WinXp, BUT you usually have to INSTALL it yourself for Windows 2000. So try that and let us know if it helps any!

In XP, since this is the XP forum:

You can stop it from EVER running too, not just stop it from being the the RUN areas of the registry so it cannot start all the time at system startup/reboots!

gpedit.msc has a section setting in it regarding Messenger...

You have the options of it NOT loading at system startup, OR just plain not EVER letting users use it!

(This is an alternate to uninstalling it totally... So, if you EVER need to use it? It is there & can be reactivated or manually run with ease! You never know!)

A SIMPLE 2 STEP PROCESS TO DO THIS TOO, CHECK IT OUT:

1.) Follow this path thru its left hand side tree items:

Local Computer Policy->Administrative Templates->Windows Components->Windows Messenger

2.) On the right hand side is the options of "Do Not Allow Windows Messenger to be run" OR "Do Not Automatically Start Windows Messenger Initially"

(Take your pick!)

*

APK

here's what I did



edited the sysoc.inf, removed it from the installation.

Downloaded the update(just so I don't have to stare at it every time)

removed it from startup in the MSCONFIG


rebooted it.
closed it out in taskmanager

Deleted the "Messenger" Folder in "Program Files"


*poof* it's gone and never comes back.

I didn't mean removing Messanger in Win2k, I meant simply editing the sysoc.inf file by removing hide in every line that had it. I have never seen those "hidden" options become unhidden in XP though. Am I looking in the right place? I don't care so much about Messanger, but I would like to know what I'm doing wrong, as there are many other things there as well.

"
I didn't mean removing Messanger in Win2k, I meant simply editing the sysoc.inf file by removing hide in every line that had it. I have never seen those "hidden" options become unhidden in XP though. Am I looking in the right place? I don't care so much about Messanger, but I would like to know what I'm doing wrong, as there are many other things there as well. "

In XP, see the explanation of how EASY it is to do using gpedit.msc from my post above!

* A 2 step simple process with options for stopping it from running EVER, or just stopping it launching at system bootup into the Explorer shell after you logon!



APK

P.S.=> As easy as it gets via GUI BrainSoft using gpedit.msc from the Start, Run command... or from MMC.exe as a snapin you can load & initialize! apk

If I stop it from ever running, can it still be run if I need by clicking on the icon?

I still want to understand why editing the file doesn't yeild any extra options to me, that's my main concern.

"
If I stop it from ever running, can it still be run if I need by clicking on the icon?

I still want to understand why editing the file doesn't yeild any extra options to me, that's my main concern. "

Using the method of only stopping it at system startup, yes!

*

(If you stop it completely for users? It cannot be run at all, but it is easy enough to turn back on using this gpedit.msc tool... this is better than uninstalling as you MAY need it one day, who knows?)

APK

P.S.=> I don't know about that second method, I only use this one presently on XP, works & is GUI easy! apk

Yes, tis nice. No I get greedy and want the best of both worlds. I want it to ONLY start when I click it, as I do use it once in a while. Oh well, I can turn it back on if I need.