Okay, fine, not the plague, but it feels like it.

I don't know how many times I've removed messenger from my computer, either
through add remove programs, or vbscripts from the web, and all of a sudden
it's back again, annoying the crap out of me. It loads on windows startup
AND when I open OE, even though I don't have the box checked in OE's
options.

Help me out guys, I don't have a problem with the actual service, just the
fact that it wont leave me alone.

What's the best way to remove it, and remove it for good (why did it come
back? windows update??)

This is taken off eventid.net hope it helps.

To Disable MSN Messenger Four things to do.:
Messenger, tools menu, Options uncheck the item for start
at windows start.
Messenger, tools menu, Options uncheck the item for run
in background.
OE, Tools menu, Options, uncheck run Messenger at startup.
Disable or don't open the 'contacts' pane in IE, and OE
(OE, View menu, "customize toolbar", uncheck 'contacts
bar')
-or-
(with XP Pro) Go to start/run, and type gpedit.msc open
local computer policy/user configuration/administrative
templates/ windows components/windows messenger
doubleclick the 'do not allow windows messenger to be
run' enable Note: This setting is available under both
Computer Configuration and User Configuration. If both
are present, the Computer Configuration version of this
setting takes precedence.

Greetings Robert,

It's probable that a Windows Update installed it again (although it would've been marked as
such). You can fully remove Windows Messenger, but if you do, you will be preventing Remote
Assistance, Whiteboard, Application Sharing and any other applications that utilize Messenger
from working (or loading without problems). You can just disable Windows Messenger 4.7, by
opening it up, click Tools, Options, Preferences tab and unchecking 'Run this program when
Windows starts'.

Next, to stop Outlook Express from loading Windows Messenger, simply close Outlook Express,
then download and run this .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/dow...ssenger_oe.reg

If Windows Messenger continues to load at startup, do you have Norton Antivirus 2003
installed? Norton added a new "instant messaging scanning" feature to Norton Antivirus 2003,
which can conflict with Messenger and cause this behavior. 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.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com


"Robert Blackwell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Okay, fine, not the plague, but it feels like it.
>
> I don't know how many times I've removed messenger from my computer, either
> through add remove programs, or vbscripts from the web, and all of a sudden
> it's back again, annoying the crap out of me. It loads on windows startup
> AND when I open OE, even though I don't have the box checked in OE's
> options.
>
> Help me out guys, I don't have a problem with the actual service, just the
> fact that it wont leave me alone.
>
> What's the best way to remove it, and remove it for good (why did it come
> back? windows update??)
>
>

I just wanted to say, this helped me a lot! I just did it
and am rid of that silly application.


>-----Original Message-----
>This is taken off eventid.net hope it helps.
>
>To Disable MSN Messenger Four things to do.:
>Messenger, tools menu, Options uncheck the item for
start
>at windows start.
>Messenger, tools menu, Options uncheck the item for run
>in background.
>OE, Tools menu, Options, uncheck run Messenger at
startup.
>Disable or don't open the 'contacts' pane in IE, and OE
>(OE, View menu, "customize toolbar", uncheck 'contacts
>bar')
>-or-
>(with XP Pro) Go to start/run, and type gpedit.msc open
>local computer policy/user configuration/administrative
>templates/ windows components/windows messenger
>doubleclick the 'do not allow windows messenger to be
>run' enable Note: This setting is available under both
>Computer Configuration and User Configuration. If both
>are present, the Computer Configuration version of this
>setting takes precedence.
>
>.
>