Windows Messenger

After installing a handful of windows updates i finally got SP2 on my computer but with SP2 came windows messenger, again... I uninstalled it once before and then after installing SP2 it came back. Any way i could get rid of it again?

Also, do i need to keep all those updates, or can i delete all of them and keep SP2?

 

This link may be helpful:

How to Remove Windows Messenger on Windows XP

 

Hi Shadow,

Timely post, I just installed ZoneAlarm as my firewall and although I have disabled Windows Messenger at Start/Control Panel/Admin. Tools/Services, including under the Logon Tab, I am being bombarded with the following security alerts -- 'Windows Messenger is trying to access the internet' (module - msmsgs.exe) -- 2 times as I wrote this note -- and to a smaller extent 'Windows Messenger is trying to act as a server' (also msmsgs.exe).

Anyway to stop this or should I just allow it? Seems like it would be better to get it stopped but I don't know.

 

Also Sleepy,

Anyone correct me if I am wrong, but you should install all updates at Windows Update -- Express Install.

 

Go ahead and allow those services, messenger is checking for updates.

 

Yes, always install the updates from Express Install

 

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2062.html
This program can uninstall messenger.

 

I use this one.

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

 

Thanks, Maximus. A lady I know wants to remove Windows Messenger. This hint will help lots. Bazza

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Lots of good input on how to get rid of Windows Messenger. I allowed the services in ZoneAlarm as Shadow suggested but I also started wondering why Windows Messenger was checking for updates, since I had it disabled.

So, I take it that removing it causes no problems?

 

You don't really need it. Windows Messenger was intended for Network Administrator's to use to send messages to Users. Uninstalling it should not interfer with anything on your system. If you experience problems you can always reinstall it. As always create a system restore point, before making changes to the system.

 

Thanks to Shadow, Maximus and the others... I got rid of Windows Messenger and 'X' the permission in ZoneAlarm to allow Windows Messenger (will also removed the Windows Messenger program from ZoneAlarm)... NO security messages... all is running great.

I appreciate the your knowledge and effort. I have read many of the posts on MG and my problems are minor as compared to many others but they are annoying and it is nice to know there is a place to go for help.