Windows Messenger won't die!

Ok, I have tried everything to kill Windows Messenger but I just can't. I have removed all references to it in my msconfig startup list, but it still loads. The crappy thing about it is that it loads in the background, so the messenger icon doesn't show up in the taskbar, but it still automatically signs me in every time I start up the computer. I have the "allow this program to run in the backgound" and "run this program when windows starts" buttons both unchecked in the program, but it just won't die! Can anyone help http://www.majorgeeks.com/vb/images/icons/icon5.gif http://www.majorgeeks.com/vb/images/icons/icon9.gif

 

Hmm.... do you want to completley remove the program, or just stop it from coming up at startup? I've got a command for you if you do want to completley remove it. OOI, are you running Outlook Express on startup?

To completley remove MSN
Two commands :
rundll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %systemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

and then

rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection BLC.Remove 128 %systemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf

 

I would like to remove it, since MSN Messenger is better and won't autostart on me all of the time. And no, I don't even have Outlook Express installed, worthless program that it is...

 

OK, well, if you run those two commands then install MSN using the installer from the website, you should be left with only MSN.

Also if you want it to stop autoruning :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client\PreventRun
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client\PreventAutoRun
Make them DWORD and set them to 1.

Good on you for getting rid of OE. Well... i presume you removed it using Add/Remove windows components which doesnt actually remove the program, just the shortcuts to it. Its one of those magic folders that even if you delete again and again... it keeps coming back. Anyway!

 

Yeah, unfortunately the directory HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger doesn't exist in my registry. I tried to get to it twice so I don't think I just missed it by accident. Any other ideas?

 

Simple way to get rid of WMessenger along with its pesky habits is to install shoot the messenger. STM doesn't uninstall it, it just disables it so you miss all those wonderful popups and the adware inherent in the blasted thing.

 

Try XP-Antispy. Its available as a download over here at MG. XP-A is the best program to get rid of such annonyances...

 

another link to stm.

http://grc.com/stm/ShootTheMessenger.htm

 

STM disables messenger SERVICE not to be confused with Windows Messenger, which is a chat client. I Think XP-Antispy does indeed disable Windows MEssenger.

Ah yes, GRC, the inducer of fear and internet security hysteria! It all comes flooding back to me now.

 

Sweet! Thanks for all the help guys!