Does msmsgs.exe run automatically as part of Windows?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JD
  • Start date Start date
J

JD

When I made notes on all the processes running, I did NOT note msmsgs.exe--I
may have just overlooked it.
The Answers that Work Process List identifies this as MSN Messenger, but I
think that's in error.
This is Windows Messenger, found in C: Program Files/Messenger.
Windows Messenger doesn't run when Windows loads nor does it run "in the
background."
I'd like to know if it's normal for msmsgs.exe to be running all the time,
whether the application is running or not.
To put it simply, does anyone else have "msmsgs.exe" running under
Processes?
I will greatly appreciate any feedback.
 
JD;

Depends on the version number.

FILE INFORMATION:
Name: msmsgs.exe
Description: Messenger
Version: 4.7.0.41
DLLSelfRegister: No
TypeLib Guid: {218CB45F-20B6-11D2-8E17-0000F803A446}
TypeLib Version: 1.0
Windows XP SP1
-------------
FILE INFORMATION:
Name: msmsgs.exe
Description: Messenger Client
Version: 4.0.0.155
DLLSelfRegister: No
TypeLib Guid: {218CB45F-20B6-11D2-8E17-0000F803A446}
TypeLib Version: 1.0
Windows XP Home 2002
Windows XP Professional 2002
-------------
FILE INFORMATION:
Name: msmsgs.exe
Description: MSN Messenger Service
Version: 3.5.0.77
DLLSelfRegister: No
TypeLib Guid: {218CB45F-20B6-11D2-8E17-0000F803A446}
TypeLib Version: 1.0
---------------

From http://www.dougknox.com/

Disable Windows® Messenger in Windows® XP Pro
If you're running Pro, you can use GPEDIT.MSC to prevent Messenger from
loading. Otherwise, even disabling it in startup won't cause it to "always"
not run. Outlook, OE and some MS web pages can still make it load.

1) Start, Run and enter GPEDIT.MSC
2) For "per machine" restriction, go to Computer Configuration,
Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Messenger
For "per user" restriction, go to User Configuration, Administrative
Templates, Windows Components, Windows Messenger
3) You can now modify whether it starts initially and/or whether its to run
at all.

Note: Outlook and Outlook Express will take longer to open, unless you turn
off Messenger Support. In Outlook Express its in Tools, Options, General
tab. In Outlook its in Tools, Options, Other. One additional Registry edit
is needed to prevent a serious delay in opening OE if you use the Contacts
Pane and have disabled or removed Messenger. It can be found here: Prevent
Windows Messenger from automaticallyrunning.
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_messenger_autorun.htm
===============

Prevent Windows Messenger from automatically running
http://www.dougknox.com/

Remove Windows Messenger
http://www.dougknox.com/
 
Thanks, Wes.
The version I have (Windows XP Sp1) is Windows Messenger Version 5.0.0.381
I don't actually want to remove or "disable" Windows Messenger. I use it
occasionally to "chat" with my daughter, but I load it from the Start menu.
I used Options to set it not to load when Windows loads. And when I close
it, it does not run in the background.
My question is why a "process" called msmsgs.exe runs even when the
application is not running.
It could be that it runs as part of Windows.
I wondered if any readers of this ng would mind checking Task Manager to see
if such a process runs on their machines.
BTW, I checked the Startup folder and the "Run" lines in the Registry. It
does not load from either of those places.
 
JD;

See if any of this helps.

Windows Messenger Support Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;winmsgr

========================
From TonyKlein @
http://forums.techguy.org/t144534/sccf8ffd8ae11f5172d4514e8c63ee28e.html

[[1. Go to Messenger/Tools/Options and uncheck "Run this program when
Windows starts" on the Preferences tab.
2. In Outlook Express, Tools/Options/General tab and uncheck the option to
automatically log on, if it's there.
3. Also in Outlook Express, View/Layout and uncheck the option to display
Contacts. The program will open a connection and display a list of all
Contacts on line if you do not.
4. Startup Folder. Make sure no entry there for Messenger.
5. Go to Start/Run, and type Msconfig. On the Startup tab , uncheck any
option for it.
6. If you are using NAV 2003, disable Instant Messenger monitoring.

This little check list ought to work in dissociating MSN from Outlook
Express, so that it'll only start up if you really want it to.

If it doesn't, here's a reg tweak that will do so on all operating systems,
without actually uninstalling MSN, which may not be what you want:

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/989 : Remove MSN Messenger
from Outlook Express

If all else fails, shut down MSN Messenger, go to your Program Files\MSN
Messenger directory, and rename Msgsc.dll to Msgsc.bak]]
=============
 
Thanks to all who have responded. I guess I haven't made myself clear.
First, I do not run MSN Messenger. It is not installed and there is no
folder for it in Program Files.
More significantly, Windows Messenger only runs when I open it from the
Start Menu.
What I'm saying is that even when it is not loaded or running, there is
still a "process" called msmsgs.exe, as shown in Task Manager.
It occurs to me that it MAY be the way Windows sends the "There are critical
updates available" messages that pop up from the Notification Area
periodically.
I had asked if anyone else sees it in the Processes pane of Task Manager.
Wesley Vogel said:
JD;

See if any of this helps.

Windows Messenger Support Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;winmsgr

========================
From TonyKlein @
http://forums.techguy.org/t144534/sccf8ffd8ae11f5172d4514e8c63ee28e.html

[[1. Go to Messenger/Tools/Options and uncheck "Run this program when
Windows starts" on the Preferences tab.
2. In Outlook Express, Tools/Options/General tab and uncheck the option to
automatically log on, if it's there.
3. Also in Outlook Express, View/Layout and uncheck the option to display
Contacts. The program will open a connection and display a list of all
Contacts on line if you do not.
4. Startup Folder. Make sure no entry there for Messenger.
5. Go to Start/Run, and type Msconfig. On the Startup tab , uncheck any
option for it.
6. If you are using NAV 2003, disable Instant Messenger monitoring.

This little check list ought to work in dissociating MSN from Outlook
Express, so that it'll only start up if you really want it to.

If it doesn't, here's a reg tweak that will do so on all operating systems,
without actually uninstalling MSN, which may not be what you want:

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/989 : Remove MSN Messenger
from Outlook Express

If all else fails, shut down MSN Messenger, go to your Program Files\MSN
Messenger directory, and rename Msgsc.dll to Msgsc.bak]]
=============

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
JD said:
Thanks, Wes.
The version I have (Windows XP Sp1) is Windows Messenger Version
5.0.0.381 I don't actually want to remove or "disable" Windows
Messenger. I use it occasionally to "chat" with my daughter, but I
load it from the Start menu. I used Options to set it not to load
when Windows loads. And when I close it, it does not run in the
background.
My question is why a "process" called msmsgs.exe runs even when the
application is not running.
It could be that it runs as part of Windows.
I wondered if any readers of this ng would mind checking Task Manager
to see if such a process runs on their machines.
BTW, I checked the Startup folder and the "Run" lines in the
Registry. It does not load from either of those places.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
JD said:
What I'm saying is that even when it is not loaded or running, there is
still a "process" called msmsgs.exe, as shown in Task Manager.
Click to expand...

It gets started by IE/OE/Outlook.
 
Thanks. We're talking now about the "process," not the application. Next
time I boot I will check Task Manager BEFORE opening IE.
Do you know why these other apps would need to start the msmsgs process?
 
JD said:
Thanks. We're talking now about the "process," not the application. Next
Click to expand...

Same thing really. I think you mean that it doesn't appear in
Applications in Task Manager? That's because it's running in the
background - it's the same program (.exe file). Start IE and you'll see
iexplore.exe under Processes as well as Applications.
time I boot I will check Task Manager BEFORE opening IE.
Do you know why these other apps would need to start the msmsgs process?
Click to expand...

I think it's because they "link" to it; windows Messenger appears on the
Tools menu in IE and OE.

I just started both IE and OE (I don't normally use either, or Outlook)
and when I started OE the Messenger icon appeared in the system tray
(but not when I started IE).

Also, after exiting IE and OE (and checking that neither were running
(in Processes)) I right clicked the Messenger icon, selected Exit, and
got a pop-up message saying

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

Oh really? There's none of those running.

However, you can exit it by selecting it under Processes and clicking
End Process.

Regards,

Parish
 
Again, I have made all the moves to keep Windows Messenger from loading when
Windows loads. I've turned off the contacts pane, etc.
It is not the APPLICATION that is running, it is the PROCESS.
 
Thanks Parish. It's interesting that I've never gotten any such message when
closing Windows Messenger. It just goes away. "Curiouser and curiouser."
 
I can confirm an apparent conflict between Norton Systemworks 2003 and msmsg.exe. The good news is that on Win XP home, the fix is to simply go into the preferences for Norton Anti-Virus and uncheck the instant messaging protection for MSN instant messaging. Once I did this, msmgs.exe did not run. This does assume that you have unchecked the preference within Messanger to run at start-up. Good Luck!
 
rupdog said:
I can confirm an apparent conflict between Norton Systemworks 2003
and msmsg.exe. The good news is that on Win XP home, the fix is to
simply go into the preferences for Norton Anti-Virus and uncheck the
instant messaging protection for MSN instant messaging. Once I did
this, msmgs.exe did not run. This does assume that you have unchecked
the preference within Messanger to run at start-up. Good Luck!
Click to expand...

Are you saying SystemWorks 2003 forces Messenger to run when Windows/MSN
Messenger protection is enabled?
 

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