Can't change startup type for Microsoft Messenger to disable...help!

[Wekiva]

I'm trying to walk my dad thru disabling Microsoft Messenger under Windows 2000. Every time he sets startup type to DISABLE and then hits apply it jumps back to Automatic. I told him to go to right click on the messenger name and choose STOP first and then try to change startup type to DISABLE to no avail. What am I missing?

 

[Zipp]

Well in windows XP,what I did to disable Messenger was I went into my program files folder and changed the Messenger folder name to "MessengerOff" and that disable it...I dont know if it works in 2000 though.

 

[Slugbait]

Zipp, you are confusing Messenger Service with MSN Messenger. There is no folder for Messenger Service.

Wekiva, your dad likely is logged in as a User or Power User. He needs to be an admin.

 

[Zipp]

Doh.........sorry

 

[Slugbait]

Zipp, very common mistake, happens here all the time.

Wekiva, once your dad switches to Admin and disables Messenger Service, it is highly recommended he switches back to logging in as a Power User again. Unless he is well educated on how to lock down his machine, logging in all the time as Admin is dangerous, especially if he's connected via broadband.