Stopping Windows Messenger Pop-Ups

[Flightsim]

Is there anyway to remove Windows Messenger from my computer? I am completely annoyed with the pop-up ads that keep bothering me while I'm in the middle of something. I can't even play some of my favorite games anymore because some lame ad appears on my screen and I have to exit the game to get rid of it. I've noticed that there is software out there for getting rid of these ads, but it costs about 25$. I don't want to pay that much for the software, so I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to get rid of or permanently disable Windows Messenger? Thanks for any help/ideas.

 

[mechBgon]

Sure thing, go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > and stop the Windows Messenger service, then set it to Disabled. That's for Win2000, so if WinXP has a different route to Services, you might just type in "Services" in Windows Help and it'll get you there.

 

[boyRacer]

Wrong forum but here you go...

There's also another messenger that's letting those ads pop up... you have to go to your services and disable it.