two messenger services

[Nita]

I have Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger 5.0 both on my
computer. On the Control Panel, under currently installed
programs MSN Messenger 5.0 is shown, not Windows
Messenger. There are many entries on that page that show
Windows XP Hotfix, but I don't know if any of them would
be the Windows Messenger service. I want to remove the
Windows Messenger and have the MSN Messenger 5.0 to come
on automatically when I go on-line.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Nita,

MSN Messenger 5 does not replace Windows Messenger 4.7 (they are separate, different
products). You can remove Windows Messenger 4.7, 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'. This won't stop it from being loaded by some other application though.
As well, you can disable it further by going to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs,
Add/Remove Windows Components on the left, uncheck Windows Messenger in the components list
and click Next >. Note: this is only available if you've installed Windows XP Service Pack
1 -- if you haven't, visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. This won't remove Windows
Messenger, but it will let it stay out of your way, and allow MSN Messenger 5 to work
properly.

Also see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330117 for more information on Windows Messenger 4.7 and MSN
Messenger 5.0.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com