Can't disable Windows Messenger after Windows Update

[Bob Stringer]

I recently installed several priority updates to WinXP Home
SP1. One of them was a security patch to Windows Messenger.
Although I have Messenger disabled, I applied the patch just
to be current with all security updates.

Now that the patch has been installed, every time I boot up
an icon appears in the system tray, stating that I'm not
signed in to Windows Messenger.

Based on what Microsoft says about Messenger here:
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/windowsmessenger/default.mspx>
I have no interest in running it. I'm not interested in
instant communication.

Of course, if someone can tell me a different and good
reason to run Messenger, I'd appreciate hearing.

In any case, Messenger is still shown as being disabled when
I look here:

1. Right-click My Computer
2. Manage | Services & Applications
3. Services

Also, I when I look at the Startup tab of the System
Configuration Utility, I don't see anything that looks (at
least to me) like Messenger.

I therefore don't understand why the icon keeps appearing.

Does the icon mean that Messenger is now running (although
I'm not signed in)? If not, what's the icon doing there? How
can I get rid of it?

Thanks.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Bob,

You can just remove Windows Messenger again by closing down Messenger if it's running (right
click the messenger icon in the notification area/system tray and click close). Then click
the start button, then click Run and type in (copy-paste if you like):
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Then click OK.
Messenger will then be uninstalled. For more detailed instructions and screenshots, go to,
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/problem.aspx?ID=7
____________________________________________
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) 2005 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Bob Stringer]

You can just remove Windows Messenger again by closing down Messenger if it's running (right
click the messenger icon in the notification area/system tray and click close). Then click
the start button, then click Run and type in (copy-paste if you like):
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Then click OK.
Messenger will then be uninstalled. For more detailed instructions and screenshots, go to,
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/problem.aspx?ID=7

Thanks much, Jonathan.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Bob,

You're very welcome
____________________________________________
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) 2005 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.