Messenger loads w/o my ok

I'm having a problem with messenger loading automatically
when I connect to the internet. The problem is it loads
in the background (no pic on the toolbar) and I don't
even know it's on until someone messages me! Any
solutions?

To Prevent Windows Messenger from Running on a Windows XP-Based Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...Product=WinMsgr

"mickey" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1240b01c44278$c16be940$a501280a@phx.gbl...
> I'm having a problem with messenger loading automatically
> when I connect to the internet. The problem is it loads
> in the background (no pic on the toolbar) and I don't
> even know it's on until someone messages me! Any
> solutions?

Greetings Mickey,

You'll just need to disable Messenger. To disable Windows Messenger, open it up (click
Start, then Run, type "msmsgs" and click OK), click Tools, Options, Preferences tab and
uncheck 'Run this Program when Windows starts' or 'Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts'
(depending on version) as well as 'Allow this program to run in the background' or 'Allow
Windows Messenger to run in the background' (depending on version). This won't remove Windows
Messenger, so features like Remote Assistance, Whiteboard and Application Sharing will
continue to work, but it will let it stay out of your way.

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.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"mickey" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1240b01c44278$c16be940$a501280a@phx.gbl...
> I'm having a problem with messenger loading automatically
> when I connect to the internet. The problem is it loads
> in the background (no pic on the toolbar) and I don't
> even know it's on until someone messages me! Any
> solutions?