Windows Messenger can be uninstalled from a Windows XP computer, however it
is not recommended. I suggest that you disable the Windows Messenger Service
by using these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Select "Administrative Tools".
Note in Windows XP Home edition, Administrative Tools is in Performance and
Maintenance
3. Click on "Services".
4. Right-click on "Messenger" and Select "Stop".
To permanently disable Messenger:
5. Right-click on "Messenger" and Select "Properties".
6. In the Startup type list, click "Disabled".
7. Click on OK.
However, if you would like to uninstall it, then you would have first make
it appear in the list of programs you can add and remove from Windows. In
order to do so, please use these steps:
1. Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\inf (substitute the correct drive letter for your
version of Windows).
2. If the "inf" folder is not visible in C:\WINDOWS\, please make it appear
by:
a. Click on Tools from the Menu bar and click on Folder Options.
b. Click on the View tab, and select on "Show hidden files and folders".
3. From the "inf" folder, open sysoc.inf.
4. You will see a line that reads:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
5. Change this line to:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,7
6. Now, Windows Messenger will appear in Add/Remove Windows Components under
Add or Remove Programs.
7. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
8. Click on Add or Remove Programs and click on Add/Remove Windows Components.
9. Remove Windows Messenger and click OK.
