Disabling Windows Live Messenger

[Guest]

I cannot stop the sign-in window for Live Messenger from starting up
automatically. I don't use this program at all. I have tried removing it from
the Control Panel (remove Windows Components), but the program still shows up
in program files. How do I delete this program or at least stop it from
starting up automatically. Have tried just about everything but a regedit
which I am reticent to do.

 

[RobertVA]

I cannot stop the sign-in window for Live Messenger from starting up
automatically. I don't use this program at all. I have tried removing it from
the Control Panel (remove Windows Components), but the program still shows up
in program files. How do I delete this program or at least stop it from
starting up automatically. Have tried just about everything but a regedit
which I am reticent to do.

Have you tried the option in the messenger's menu to deactivate startup
when Windows starts? Click "Options..." on the tools menu and un-check
"Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts." on the "Preferences" tab.

Are you running an anti-virus application that scans Windows Messenger
messages? Some of those will start Windows Messenger despite the setting
being deactivated in the messenger application itself.

While a little extreme, I think I renamed the program file one time and
substituted an empty text file renamed to the messenger's file name once.

 

[RobertVA]

I cannot stop the sign-in window for Live Messenger from starting up
automatically. I don't use this program at all. I have tried removing it from
the Control Panel (remove Windows Components), but the program still shows up
in program files. How do I delete this program or at least stop it from
starting up automatically. Have tried just about everything but a regedit
which I am reticent to do.

Minor corrections.additions:

Some of the anti-virus programs start the "Windows Messenger" (no "Live").

"Windows Messenger" (no "Live") is part of the OS and may be subject to
automatic reinstallation as part of the OS attempting to repair itself.
This SEPARATE application is what appears on the "Windows Components"
listing.

For uninstalling "Windows LIVE Messenger" use the "Add or Remove
Programs" applet in the control Panel and click the "Change or Remove
Programs" button in the left pane. Look for "Windows Live Messenger" on
THAT list for removal.

The menu system for "Windows Live Messenger" is accessed through a
little button on the title bar to the left of the minimize button. The
option to determine if you want to "Automatically run Windows Live
Messenger when I log into Windows" appears when you select "General" in
the left pane of the "Options" dialog. The "Options" dialog is on the
"Tools" menu in Live messenger too.

Easy to get all the MS/MSN messengers mixed up there are:

The "Windows Messenger" application that came with several versions of
the OS

The "MSN Messenger" application (available to non MSN ISP subscribers too)

MSN's web based messenger at http://webmessenger.msn.com/ (you will be
prompted to turn your pop-up blocker off)

Now there's the "Windows Live Messenger" application!

 

[PA Bear]

See http://kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_messenger.htm. For Messenger/Outlook
Express tweaks, see http://kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_oe.htm.

 

[Noncompliant]

Outlook Express settings is what opens Windows Messenger. XP automatically
loads Windows Messenger at startup irregardless OE settings for Windows
Messenger. XP automatically opens another session of Windows Messenger if
removed with task manager under sessions (msmsgs.exe). My firewall prevents
Windows Messenger from doing anything.

Thankfully, I've never dealt with Windows Messenger Live.