PC Hell: How to uninstall or remove Windows Messenger on Windows XP

How to Remove Windows Messenger on Windows XP

What is Windows Messenger?

Windows Messenger is the Microsoft instant messaging program built into Windows XP. There is also a Windows Messenger service built into Windows XP that helps produce pop up ads via IP addresses. The two programs are completely separate and do different things even though Microsoft has essentially named them the same.

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Windows Messenger (the chat program) is equally annoying if you dont use instant messaging. Microsoft has tightly integrated this program into many of its other programs including Outlook Express, Outlook and Remote Assistance. However there are ways to either disable it from starting, remove it, or for the most part completely get rid of it.

How do I disable Windows Messenger from running?

The procedures for disabling Windows Messenger will depend on the version of Windows Messenger installed on your computer.

Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on a Windows XP Professional

1) Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then press ENTER
2) Double-click the following items to expand them:

Local Computer Policy
Computer Configuration
Administrative Templates
Windows Components
Windows Messenger

3) Double-click on the option "Do not allow Windows Messenger to run", and then click Enabled.
4) Click OK, and then close the window

Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition

1) Start Windows Messenger.
2) Click Options on the Tools menu.
3) Click the Preferences tab, click to clear the "Run this program when Windows starts" check box, and then click OK.

Windows Messenger 4.5 or Later on Either Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Software
Policies
Microsoft

4) If the folder Messenger is not listed, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key
5) If the folder Client is not listed under Messenger, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Client for the name of the new registry key
6) On the Edit Menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value. Remember all of this is case sensitive.
7) Right-click the PreventRun value that you created, click Modify, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
8) Quit Registry Editor.

How to Stop Outlook or Outlook Express
from Running Windows Messenger When They Are Opened

Outlook
1) Open Outlook
2) Click on Tools, Options
3) Click "Other" tab
4) Uncheck the box for Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook
5) Click OK

Outlook Express
1) Open Outlook Express
2) Click Tools, Options
3) Click General tab
4) Uncheck the box for Automatically log on to Windows Messenger
5) Click OK

What about Removing Messenger or Uninstalling Windows Messenger from Windows XP

The procedure for removing Windows Messenger depends on whether your system has Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed. To determine whether Service Pack 1 is installed follow these directions:

1) Click on Start
2) Right click on My Computer
3) Click on Properties
4) On the General tab, under System if the words "Service Pack 1" are listed you have the service pack.

Removing Messenger from computers WITHOUT Service Pack 1 installed

Make sure your Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Messenger and other programs are closed before doing this.

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type the following (or cut and paste it) into the Run line

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

3) Click on OK

Removing Messenger from computers WITH Service Pack 1 installed

1) Click on Start, Control Panel
2) Double click on Add or Remove Programs
3) Select Add/Remove Windows Components
4) Uncheck Windows Messenger
5) Click Next
6) Click Finish
7) Restart your computer

How to Remove Windows Messenger from Outlook Express

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Software
Microsoft
Outlook Express

4) Right click on the Outlook Express folder, click on New, click on DWORD value, and then type Hide Messenger for the name of the new registry key
5) Right-click the Hide Messenger value that you created, click Modify, type 2 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
8) Quit Registry Editor.