Windows Messenger - Uninstall

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lexie
  • Start date Start date
L

Lexie

I want to uninstall Windows Messenger but when I go to
Programmes Add/Remove it doesn't appear to be there. It
does appear on the startup menu and it is present and
working. Very puzzled. How can I get rid of it please?
 
You cannot uninstall it, but you can disable it. Go to Start/Run and
enter "gpedit.msc". Then select "Administrative Templates", "Windows
Components" and "Windows Messenger". Change both setting to "Disable".

If you use Outlook Express, I suggest that you also do this: Shut down
Outlook Express, then download and run this .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/downloads/stopmessenger_oe.reg


Bill Starbuck (MVP)
 
Greetings Eddie,

Firstly, remove your saved Passport login in Windows XP, so it can't automatically sign you
in to the service (you can readd this back in the future if you like), click the Start
Button, then click the Control Panel. Then, click User Accounts in the Control Panel. Select
your account name, and then on the left side of the screen, under Related Tasks, click
'Manage my Network Passwords'. In the window that opens, click the Passport.Net\* (Passport)
entry and click 'Remove'.

Then, do you have Norton Antivirus 2003 installed? Norton added a new "instant messaging
scanning" feature to Norton Antivirus 2003, which can conflict with Messenger and cause some
of this behavior. 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.

If the window is still open with the upgrade question, say No, it should now stop trying.
Open up the main Windows Messenger window (double-click its icon in the system
tray/notification area, by the clock or click Start, All Programs, Windows Messenger to bring
it up), click the Tools menu, then Options, then Preferences, uncheck 'Run this program when
Windows starts' and click OK. Then right-click the on the Windows Messenger icon in the
notification area/system tray and choose Exit. You shouldn't see it again (unless some other
application starts it).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
 
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