Windows Messanger Came Back and Will Not Go Away!

[hpfanatic]

I hate Windows Messenger, and when I installed Win XP the first thing I did was modify the Sysoc file so I could uninstall Messenger. I was happy.

Yesterday, Windows automatically downloaded a Security Update and I installed it without seeing what it contained.

Windows Messanger is back!!

And what is worse, it no longer is listed in Add or Remove Programs! The Sysoc file is untouched! And when I right click to exit Messenger, it now will not let me do it unless I also exit Outlook, Outlook Express, IE, Explorer, etc..

How do I now get rid of this thing???????

 

[mastertech01]

THis is why I dont allow auto update. :| I read the updates when manually updating yesterday and I felt pretty strongly that this could happen, so I didnt download that one. Notice how they STRONGLY suggest you update with it even if you dont use messenger? Once you update messanger it cant be removed..

Here is their instructions to turn it off..

Windows Messenger 4.6 Connectivity Update



This update resolves several security and service reliability issues in Windows Messenger 4.6, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article Q320259. Download now to improve connectivity and system performance. Microsoft strongly recommends that you download this update, even if you do not use Windows Messenger.

In some instances your computer repeatedly attempts to log into Windows Messenger in the background and fails to do so. This update provides you with the latest version of Windows Messenger 4.6.
For more information about this update, read Microsoft (KB) Article Q320259. (This site may be in English.)

System Requirements

This update applies to Windows Messenger 4.6.

How to use

You don't need to do anything after installing this update.

How to uninstall

Uninstall is not available for this update.

To prevent Windows Messenger 4.6 from running:

Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Messenger.
Click Tools and then click Options.
Click the Preferences tab.
Clear the check box next to Run this program when Windows starts.


WHAT THE REAL CROCK IS< THAT THEY LIST IT AS A CRITICAL UPDATE!! :|

 

[DocDoo]

Here is the worlds easiest way to UNINSTALL the Windows Messenger from XP

START | RUN... then in the open box enter this: (copy / paste below)

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

 

[hpfanatic]

That worked for me! Thanks

 

[boomerang]

C:\Program Files\Messenger. Rename the Messenger folder. If you download a messenger update it will recreate the folder. Delete the renamed folder and rename the new. Easy way to get it working again if you should need to.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

This would be a good one to put in the FAQ's..Thanx Doc

 

[mastertech01]

COol, Ill bookmark that one.

 

[KouklatheCat]

Dude, you rock. I have been wondering how to finally once and for all get rid of Windows Messanger.

 

[WilsonTung]

I read at The Register that this update integrates Windows Messanger with Outlook Express. When I disabled Windows Messanger through the Administration Tools in the Control Panel, Outlook got screwed up - it would hang for two minutes while looking to start the Windows Messanger.

Outlook would not work properly in any account except that Admin account when I reenabled Windows Messanger. The only fix for this is to install Windows Messanger from each account... sucks majorly.

If Microsoft keeps this up, I'm moving over to Linux.

 

[DocDoo]

For those that have a "slow loading Outlook Express" when messenger is removed....READ THIS FIX

 

[xbassman]

thanks for the tip Docdoo!

Heck I was about to put it back. (Outlook had become so annoying!)