Stopping Windows Messenger

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joel
  • Start date Start date
J

Joel

Norton System Works' Quick Cleanup will not run, because
it thinks that Internet Explorer is running (it isn't).
Symantec suggested that I might also need to stop Windows
Messenger, but WM won't stop because it thinks that some
programs requiring its service are still running (not
that I can tell, and certainly not any of the ones it
lists in the error message). The only way I can seem to
get WM stopped is to use the task manager to kill off the
msmsg process. There has to be a better way, or
something else I'm missing. Also, I have used Quick
Cleanup periodically for nearly a year on the same
computer with the same OS (XP), but this problem has only
recently cropped up.

Joel
 
Greetings Joel,

I assume you have Norton Antivirus running since you have SystemWorks installed? Norton
added a new "instant messaging scanning" feature to Norton Antivirus 2003, which can conflict
with Messenger and prevent it from being shut down. To stop it, open Norton Antivirus
(Right-click on the Norton Antivirus icon in the System Tray/Notification Area (by the
clock), choose 'Open Norton Antivirus'), click Options, then Instant Messenger then uncheck
MSN Instant Messenger and click OK. You should then be able to close Windows Messenger (not
sure if this will have any effect on your problem).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
 
Back
Top