Getting rid of Windows Messenger 4.7

[Gustavus]

I am running Windows XP which apparently has Instant Messenger 4.7 embedded beyond all normal means of removal. I actually use MSN Messenger 6.2. On boot up there is a conflict between the two which requires me to close 4.7 in order for 6.2 to open. Does anyone know how to rid my system of the Messenger 4.7?

Thanks

 

[PlasticJesus]

If I understand correctly what you want to do, I do it like this:

- set your system to show all hidden files and folders

- go into C:\WINDOWS\inf\sysoc and go down to line that starts with msmsgs

- in that line remove the word hide, leaving those two commas sitting beside each other

- now when you go into the Control Panel and go to Add or Remove Programs then Add/Remove Windows Components you will see it is now there for you to uninstall

This assumes you have windows on drive C:.

 

[Slugbait]

Nah...that ain't it.

Open WinMsgr, click Tools->Options->Preferences and uncheck "Run when Windows starts". While you're at it, also uncheck "Allow to run in the background"

You will see additional replies informing you how to hack WinMsgr off your machine. Note: doing so also kills certain features in MsnMsgr...I would advise just stopping it from loading.

 

[Gustavus]

Thanks for the replies. Slugbait when I go through the Tools->Options->Preferences as you suggest, the start when windows starts box is not checked. The allow to run in the background was. I have unchecked the latter and will see if that makes a difference when I am able to reboot again. I am waiting on a hot item on e-Bay and want to stay online until the auction ends. Thanks for the suggestion. I had thought that unchecking the start when windows starts would do the job, but somehow, somewhere, the IM 4.7 springs to life when I boot up.

 

[Slugbait]

Hmmm...this suggests that you have another app that loads on boot, and directly hooks WinMsgr. Best guess is Outlook Express...in which case, set OE options to not auto-logon to WinMsgr.

 

[Gustavus]

The automatically log onto Windows Messenger box is not checked in Tools/Options in Outlook Express. My startup menu is relatively clean -- AdsGone, Zone Alarm, NSW, stuff associated with Adobe etc. I appreciate the effort to help.

Here is some more information. The icons for both Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger are present in my lower right toolbar. If I click on the MSN Messenger icon and sign in a pop up box appears saying that I have been signed out of Net Messenger service since I signed in at another location. Beats me what is starting the 4.7 IM

 

[morkinva]

Hi, it seems i have two versions of MSN running
simutaniously. and old one, and the latest. The problem
is, the older version signs in automatically, is not in
the taskbar or tray, and i cant uninstall it as it is not
in add remove programs. I also here the sounds from
receiving a message, but cant reply to them as the
message window does not show in the taskbar.
Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to get rid of
it.




...Also, do you have Norton Antivirus installed? Recent versions of Norton Antivirus added a
new "instant messaging scanning" feature, which can conflict with Messenger and cause it to also keep starting. To stop it, open Norton Antivirus (Right-click on the Norton Antivirus
icon in the System Tray/Notification Area (by the clock), choose 'Open Norton Antivirus'),
click Options, then Instant Messenger then uncheck MSN Instant Messenger and click OK.

 

[InlineFive]

Google: remove windows messenger

This little script does a wonderful job at removing it.