Hi
To stop messenger from running launch it (go figure) select
Tools/Options/Preferences uncheck run when Windows starts, and run in
background. Exit the program. This should stop it from running in the
background. You can verify via the task manager. Look for the
msmsgs.exe (I think) process. If it doesn't reboot. Then paste the
following line into a start | run dialog box.
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
This launches the messenger.inf and actually removes it from your
system. As noted in posts below from this past saturday (Remove
messenger xp posted by Joseph Hume on 08/06/2005) xp without messenger
breaks the outlook 2003 messenger contact display.
IMPO It =>should be<= listed in the add / remove programs control panel
applet \ Windows components section along with a working uninstall
routine (not just hide the entry point) for Outlook Express, Windows
Media Player, Internet Explorer, Movie Maker, Windows Firewall and every
other program that Microsoft has bundled into windows. Breath. Time to
step down from my soap box.
Use with care!
Joseph
Susan said:
Jonathan, I did what it said and when I get to "Windows Components" and
scroll there is no windows messenger. This is irritating to say the least.
Everytime I start the computer a message comes up asking me if I want to
update to a newer version. All I want to do is remove messenger completely.
I have an icon at the botton if that means anything, with a red X in it.
Thank you.
Rant
Microsoft bringing the above mentioned programs to the mass's is a good
thing. Please don't read me wrong. For most people, the above programs
(along with many others) are good enough. Take Internet Explorer's 85%
market share. BUT there are some people (right now I am describing me)
that have moved beyond the offerings of the above microsoft programs.
I use the Mozilla Firefox web browser. Is it easier to use? No. Is it
more secure? Slightly. In it's default configuration as installed it
doesn't do much other than browse the web. I don't really want internet
explorer on my computer. There is NO website that I use that requires
it. Yes, I know... Windows Update. I can get the updates via automatic
updates, so Internet Explorer isn't really needed.
I use the Mozilla Thunderbird email client for my email and newsgroups.
Now I have no need for Outlook Express or the Windows Address book.
Removing these two programs reduces the 'attack surface' of my computer
big time.
I use the Trillian instant messenger client. I have the ability to chat
on all of the major instant messenger networks in a single client. Do I
have the richness of features? Yes, I purchased an upgrade to the Pro
version. I no longer need windows messenger. This component I can
uninstall.
For my media, I use Winamp. It has a cleaner interface, uses less
resources, and just plain works. I don't use, nor have any use for DRM
because it won't work with my Palm T3. I don't have any use for windows
media player because I won't purchase anything that has been drm'ed.
Windows Movie Maker is marked as a system component that has no
dependencies that I can find. Nothing relies on it being installed. I
don't have the option to uninstall it (yet). Is it a space hog? No,
not really. It only occupies 15-20Mb. But I should have the option to
install it or not.
I have no need for the Windows Firewall. I use Zone Alarm because it
catches inbound and outbound traffic even in the free download for
personal use. Again, this should be an optional component.
Does Microsoft care??? No, not really. This is the way we distribute
windows, take it. But don't go to linux. I remember when windows fit
on 7 floppies. You could install windows 95 (customized as you could
select the installed options) in 15 minutes. Would I like to go back?
Kind of. The advances of today with the flexibility of yesterday.
Unfortunately, it will only become more monolithic. These are the
microsoft windows options you get, no choice.
Thank you
/Rant
