Windows messenger running, but I cant find it

[jfall]

Windows XP SP2

When I startup Windows, the Windows messenger service some how starts in the background and logs me in. I can see that it's running because msmsgs is in the process list. The problem is that I can't actually find it, there is no MSN icon in my systray (no it's not hidden). The messenger service is turned off.

How can I stop it from running?

 

[jfall]

Actually, think I figured it out.. disabled msmsgs via msconfig

been a while since I've worked with Windows

 

[Slugbait]

Yes, it is starting automatically and running as a background process. Better thing to do is to open the main UI. click Tools->Options->Preferences and uncheck the options to auto-start and allowing to run in the background.

To keep it from auto-logging on to the service, click Start->Control Panel->User Accounts->Advanced->Manage Passwords and delete Passport.Net\*(Passport).

There is also a registry hack to prevent Windows Messenger from auto-starting when you open OE. I posted instructions in a different thread, if you need them just do a quick search, it should be easy to find.