Windows Messenger

Anyone know how to stop the Messenger window from popping up everytime I open Outlook Express?

 

If you don't use windows messenger, I recommend deleting it. It is annoying. It can be removed in the add and remove programs in the controle panel. Click on add remove windows components. There you can get rid of it.

If you do use it, you might want to get rid of it anyway and get msn instead!

 

To disable it follow the following steps.

# Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
# Click Performance and Maintenance
# Click Administrative Tools
# Double click Services Scroll
# down and highlight "Messenger"
# Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
# Click the STOP button.
# Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
# Click OK

Refer: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/stopspam.mspx

 

Well...

You are both wrong, kinda.

Solange:

That method only removes it from startup and the shortcuts in the start menu.

Junior:
Apples to oranges, bud. We are talking about Windows Messenger, not the Messenger service.

 

Then try this....

In Outlook Express go to TOOLS > WINDOWS MESSENGER > OPTIONS > PREFRENCES and in the general area uncheck both "Run this program when windows starts" and "Allow this program to run in the background." After doing this IM does not load on startup and Outlook Express loads as usual.

If you're running Pro, you can use GPEDIT.MSC to prevent Messenger from loading. Otherwise, even disabling it in startup won't cause it to "always" not run. Outlook, Outlook Express and some MS web pages can still make it load.

Start, Run and enter GPEDIT.MSC

For "per machine" restriction, go to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Messenger. For "per user" restriction, go to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Messenger.

You can now modify whether it starts initially and/or whether its to run at all.

Note: Outlook and Outlook Express will take longer to open, unless you turn off Messenger Support. In Outlook Express it is in Tools, Options, General tab. In Outlook it is in Tools, Options, Other.

 

Thank you Junior. That worked fine (gpedit). I am running PRO and obviously I tried disabling it from the OE Tools menu first but that didn't work.

 

Glad to know that its working....

 

Thanks!

I thought that also made it not start on startup too! So at least it doesn't pop up and annoy you all the time!

On xp I've followed these instructions, and that's worked fine. I don't know what other OS messenger comes on, if it's on ME or 2000 too though.

 

MS is being misleading by listing it there and giving the impression it can be removed that way. Kinda surprised that they haven't been sued over it yet