Cannot exit Messenger in XP Pro

[Leef]

Hi there,

I use Windows Messenger (ver 4.7.2009) quite a bit, but I have it set NOT to
run when I start Windows, and "supposedly" NOT to run when I start Outlook.
However, it does connect every time I start Outlook. I do not want it
running all the time, as I would like to start it and then exit it when I am
done. Problem is, when I right click on the messenger icon down in the
tray, and choose "Exit" I get the following message:

"There are other applications currently using features provided by Windows
Messenger. You must close these other application before you can exit
Windows Messenger. These application, may include Outlook, Outlook Express,
MSN Explorer and Internet Explorer"

I have tried doing this when NONE of the above programs are running (I check
Task Manager) and it still gives me the same message. It does not start
when I reboot, but once I start it, I can "Sign out", but I cannot Exit the
program. Please help me here.

Also, this program crashes every now and then with the message "messenger
has encountered a problem and needs to close". I send the error report.....

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Sincerely
Leef

 

[WMJim]

Hi there,

I use Windows Messenger (ver 4.7.2009) quite a bit, but I have it set NOT to
run when I start Windows, and "supposedly" NOT to run when I start Outlook.
However, it does connect every time I start Outlook. I do not want it
running all the time, as I would like to start it and then exit it when I am
done. Problem is, when I right click on the messenger icon down in the
tray, and choose "Exit" I get the following message:

"There are other applications currently using features provided by Windows
Messenger. You must close these other application before you can exit
Windows Messenger. These application, may include Outlook, Outlook Express,
MSN Explorer and Internet Explorer"

<SNIP>

I manage to avoid this message (using the same version as you) by
clearing the "Allow this program to run in the background" checkbox on
the Preferences tab of the Tools | Options dialog box, and closing
Windows Messenger in any manner other than right-clicking the tray
icon and choosing exit (i.e. Alt+F4, File | Close, and clicking the X
at the right of the title bar all appear to work without the error
message).

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Leef,

Firstly, to stop the behavior in Outlook -- for Outlook 2003, click the Tools menu in
Outlook, then choose
Options, choose the Other tab, uncheck "Enable the Person Names Smart Tag" and click OK.

For Outlook 2002/XP, open Outlook, click the Tools menu, then Options, then the Other tab,
and uncheck 'Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook'.

For Outlook Express, close Outlook Express, then download and run this .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/downloads/stopmessenger_oe.reg

Secondly, if you're still encountering the issue regarding closing Messenger, 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 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
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Leef]

Dear Jonathan,

Thank you! It was the Norton's AV preventing me exiting the program....

Problem RESOLVED! Whoopee!

Thanks again...
Leef

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Leef,

Glad to hear it =)
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.