windows messenger

hi how do i get rid of windows messenger..? its not on the add and remove programs

 

Go into the add/remove programs menu and then on the side click on Add/Remove Windows Components. Its at the bottom of that menu.

 

is the file called msn explorer i also would like to remove windows messenger and i went to add?remove windows components and i cant find a file called windows messenger i can only find msn explorer is this the file i want?

oh and i use xp pro if that helps at all

thanks in advance

Hu Ha

 

Shoot The Messenger will shut off Windows Messenger: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3703.html MSN Explorer is different.

 

To disable Windows Messenger from Microsoft Support, http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302089&Product=WinMsgr#appliesto

Programs to disable / remove,
http://majorgeeks.com/download2327.html

http://majorgeeks.com/download4301.html

Steve

 

Be aware that Outlook 2002, Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance all rely on Windows Messenger API's and will not work without it.

The best thing to do if you require these programs is to not remove Windows Messenger and instead use "Set Program Access and Defaults" in Add/Remove Programs.

MSN Explorer is safe to remove. Just uninstall it in Add/Remove in Control Panel.

 

Close

Otulook and Outlook Express will work fine without it.

Just Playin:

Shoot the Messenger is for something completely different.

 

I realise that, but the author stated "Windows Messenger"

Shoot the messenger is not for Windows Messenger, but for Messenger Service.

Windows Messenger is different to MSN Messenger, and also different to Windows Messenger Service.

You can disable Windows Messenger Service without any problems.

Go to run, and type in services.msc, and set it to manual.

Windows Messenger however is required for other programs to work like Outlook and Outlook Express etc.

 

No, it isn't

 

Oh yes it is.

Don't take my word for it though, take MicroSoft's.

 

oh, a dispute....its the first i've seen. lol

 

Lets read this together.

It says, it stops them from using Messenger. It says nothing of them not working.

So, yeah, I'm gonna take Microsoft's word on that

 

Read the whole thing though!

"This method also prevents programs that use the Messenger Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) from using Windows Messenger.Microsoft Outlook 2002, Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger".

They depend on Windows Messenger and will not work without it.

One thing has me puzzled though.

You mention and suggested "shoot the messenger".

What does that have to do with Windows Messenger?

 

Where did I suggest using Shoot the Messenger?

I've removed Windows Messenger in the past and used Outlook XP without issue.

Just an FYI.

Regardless of what MS says.

Techs write those articles, and techs are sometimes inaccurate. Certains things will stop working, but the apps themselves will still work, for the most part.

 

It's not just what Microsoft says.

It happened to me, and it's mentioned in the help section of PC User, and PC Authority.

If you can get them to work, please let me, the computer magazines and Microsoft know how you did it.

 

You know, its ok by me if you don't believe me

 

If I was still running Sp1, I would be more than happy to prove it to you.

However, I am not, and don't feel like reinstalling Windows messenger, and then reinstalling Sp2, just to prove a silly argument.

 

I still would like to know where I suggested Shoot the Messenger.

 

Mate, it's not an argument, just a difference of opinion.

The whole idea of forums is for different opinions, and sometimes more than one person can be correct.

If that was your experience, it certainly wasn't mine.

I'm only going by what I have seen and read, as I'm sure you are.

 

True enough

 

I'll run it on a work computer, the next chance I get, and post back on it.

I've not tried it since SP2.

 

Well, I'm thoroughly confused.

So there are three?
1. Windows Messenger
2. Windows Messenger Service
3. MSN Messenger

Shoot the Messenger is for the Windows Messenger Service that can just as easily be set to manual by going to My Computer/Right click/manage/services? Is that right? Why the program then?

What the heck is Windows Messenger? What does it do? Can I get rid of it?

What is MSN Messenger? Is this the Instant Messeging program, or something else yet again?

I'm sure some clarification will help others and myself as well.

Adrynalyne! Help!

 

Because some people are just not savvy or motivated enough to do it themselves.

Windows Messenger is the default IM program built into XP. It is used by applications such as Netmeeting, Remote Assistance, etc. Safe to remove? I say yes, Insomnia says no. Take your pick. Its at your own risk, either way. You can redownload it if after removing it things stop working. The SP2 version requires SP2 to be reinstalled, however.

Very similar to Windows Messenger IM application. It has more features, and caters heavily to MSN users.

 

So Neo Nemesis answered the original question correctly, (go to add/remove programs and uninstall optional windows components) and it seems you are right that Windows Messenger can be uninstalled safely, and Outlook Express will still run, as it does on my SP1 machine.

For better performance, you can disable Windows Messenger Service (not to be confused with Windows Messenger) by right-clicking My Computer/manage/services, and disable the service. Or, you can download and run Shoot the Messenger...

If you really want to confuse yourself, you can line em all up: Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger Service, add AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Instant Messenger, throw in MSN Explorer, Windows Explorer, and Internet Explorer, uninstall everything, and shut the computer off for pain free operation!

That last part was a joke, please do not uninstall Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer. Just in case someone thinks I'm serious.

Phew! That was a lot to wade through, but I hope some questions got answered, mine did! Thanks Adrynalyne, and everyone.

 

Well, actually, Neo was not quite correct. Removing Windows Messenger from add/remove windows components merely removes shortcuts to the app and sets it not to load on startup. It is still there.

 

well fellas after uninstalling windows messenger(IM) i can use outlook express
just fine

 

So I haven't gone crazy

 

I have though!

I have both Office XP, which has Outlook 2002, and Outlook Express 6, and neither will work.

They both get to the splash screen and freeze.

When I have Windows Messenger installed again (but not running in systray) and start Outlook or Outlook Express, they both work fine, but they start up Windows Messenger as well!!

I've given up trying to understand why it's working for you guys, and not for me or friends in similar positions.

 

Well, fonr one thing, the first thing I do is keep the programs from starting messenger, in the options. Maybe that is the key. Turn off the option and then remove it.

 

In tools, options, other, I had Instant Messaging checkbox cleared, and removed the option also in "set program access and defaults", but it still behaves the same.

Also, Windows Messenger is not my default IM application, and if what Microsoft says about those programs using Windows Messenger API's, then those options in theory should make no difference.

As I've said anyway, I've given up trying to understand why.

I have bigger things on my plate like bloody SP2 freezing my Internet connection forcing me to dial in or reboot every 5 mins.

 

Ok i have been trying to follow all of this but all the agueing and such confused the crap out of me

so whats the easiest way to unistall windows messenger i have downlodaed the shot the messenger program but if theres a way to remove it completly i wanna know can someone help me out here please thanks alot

Hu Ha!

 

oh and one more thing that shoot the messenger thing didnt work when i turn on my computer windows messenger still comes on and its driving me insane please help


thanks

 

You didn't read the posts very well.

There are a few different messengers.

First one is "Messenger Service", or sometimes called "Windows Messenger Service". That is what "shoot the messenger" is for and nothing else.

Second one is "Windows Messenger", which is a corporate client allowing connection to instant messenger servers built in and part of XP.

The third one is "MSN Messenger", which is an Instant Messenger very similar to Windows Messenger in XP. This is not included in XP, but is downloaded and can be used in other Windows operating systems. It interacts with Windows Messenger as it logs on to the same server and uses your Microsoft passport.

The first one, "Messenger Service" should be disabled either by using "shoot the messenger", or doing it manually in services.

If you want to remove "Windows Messenger", there are several ways, but the easiest is to go to Add/Remove in Control Panel, and select Windows components on the left.

 

no i tried that and it didnt work im just gonna format and then if i never click on it it won t open at start up thanks anyways all

Hu Ha!

 

This is what I usually do and it doesn't mess up my other MS programs.

Instead of removing it, I just disable it. Go to Start > Run > gpedit.msc

Under some setting in there, you can enable (Turn off Windows Messenger).

That should do the trick.

ps. Sorry about the vague instructions. I'm currently at work with an NT4 machine.