Damn you, Windows Messenger! Why won't you die?!

[bolomite]

I'm running WinXP Home SP1, and I can't seem to terminate the stupid Windows messenger (msmsgs.exe). Here's what I've tried:

1) run --> msconfig --> startup --> uncheck msmsgs.exe
2) used the little 'shoot the messenger' utility from Gibson Research to disable messenger
3) in Zone Alarm, I denied all rights to messenger
4) I even killed it in Task Manager, but it just comes right back and appears again

It never used to do this. The only major change I've made recently was to uninstall NSW 2002 and install NSW 2003.

Any thoughts? It's annoying, about every 90 seconds or so, messenger acts up and makes my system 'hiccup', cpu usage spikes to ~ 40%

 

[Abzstrak]

just delete it, kinda makes it hard to run

 

[Monoman]

Originally posted by: Abzstrak
just delete it, kinda makes it hard to run

wtf???


ah no. google it to find the registry entry to give you the ability to remove it from add/removes software within windows. it's that easy

 

[redbeard1]

Kill the messenger stops a different service, it does not stop MS Messenger. You gotta love MS naming different things the same! If you follow this how-to, it will enable you to use the windows setup add remove program to uninstall it completely. This site does say that on some systems it won't remove though.

sysoc.inf

 

[MDE]

I just delete the .exe and whatever other files I can from the Messenger folder and it's permanently gone.

 

[Verdant]

personally i just uninstall it... seems the simplest and cleanest way to me.

 

[kylef]

The main culprits that keep Windows Messenger loaded are usually either Norton Anti-Virus or Outlook. Both of those applications have an option to disable their interaction with Windows Messenger, allowing you to exit Windows Messenger completely and prevent it from starting up automatically.

 

[KeyserSoze]

I like to keep MSN Messenger installed for when I need to do remote support for my friends that have no idea what they are doing. "Do you have a hotmail account? Ok, open up MSN Messenger, and do the following." And I help them.

But other than that, I just changed the directory name from "Messenger" for "Messenger_OFF", and it never opens up. Windows doesn't know where to find it. Then I just change it back for whenever I need it. As far as I can tell, it doesn't affect anything else. (Outlook, Outlook Express, IE, etc.)



KeyserSoze

 

[Slugbait]

Once again, some people are confusing MSN Messenger with Windows Messenger. Common mistake.

Launch Windows Messenger, click Tools->Options->Preferences and uncheck both "run when Windows starts" and "allow to run in the background" options.

Any apps that you use which tie directly into Windows Messenger (such as OE) will attempt to autolaunch it again. For OE, Tools->Options->General, and uncheck "automatically logon to windows messenger"

 

[InlineFive]

Why, why Mr. Anderson? Why do you persist? Do you fight for something? Is it freedom, peace, love? WHY??!! WHY??!!

 

[nexxes]

Disable instant messenger protection in Norton.

 

[NEVERwinter]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
Once again, some people are confusing MSN Messenger with Windows Messenger. Common mistake.

Launch Windows Messenger, click Tools->Options->Preferences and uncheck both "run when Windows starts" and "allow to run in the background" options.

Any apps that you use which tie directly into Windows Messenger (such as OE) will attempt to autolaunch it again. For OE, Tools->Options->General, and uncheck "automatically logon to windows messenger"

yeah, and some ppl are confusing MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger (the chat program) and Windows Messenger service (the one gives you pop-ups)

 

[Verdant]

SP1 added a remove tool for goodness sake, what is all this discussion about?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: nexxes
Disable instant messenger protection in Norton.

The first straight forward answer. I'll bet 10 bucks this is what's causing his woes.

 

[Budman]

This is how I remove it.

copy this into start-> RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove


That will uninstall the program.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: Verdant
SP1 added a remove tool for goodness sake, what is all this discussion about?

The discussion is about why Windows Messenger keeps launching, and doesn't shut down.

SP1 does not enable you to remove Windows Messenger, it only hides the entry point in the Start menu.

 

[Shamrock]

here are the steps:

Start menu >Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs> over on the left, select Remove Windows components>scroll down to the bottom of that list and uncheck "Windows Messenger">Press Ok

That will uninstall it

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: Shamrock
here are the steps:

Start menu >Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs> over on the left, select Remove Windows components>scroll down to the bottom of that list and uncheck "Windows Messenger">Press Ok

That will uninstall it

Please see my last comment...you are totally incorrect.

 

[Shamrock]

doh! your right! it worked prior to SP1, and I just looked, and it's still there

however THIS did work

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

as Budman said

 

[saechaka]

or try this, start menu then run, type gpedit.msc. under user config go to admin templates then windows components then windows messenger. there should be 2 settings you can enable to stop messenger from running.

 

[bolomite]

It's resolved now, it is a known issue with NSW 2003 version, specifically NAV. By default, messenger protection was enabled

 

[imported_Phil]

... and that only works with XP Professional.

[Edit] Sorry, I mean gpedit.msc.

 

[KnightPalatine]

There's a free plug-in available for Ad-aware 6.0 that turns off Windows Messenger.

 

[Ludacris]

Goto Add/Remove Windows Components and remove Windows MEssenger. There is also a a registry entry you can get if you search google that will stop Messenger from starting up. There is also acommand you can run from the run prompt to unstall messenger as well. Google is your friend.