Is windows Messenger always running?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Big Mac
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Big Mac

Is Windows Messenger always running? Does it run so Microsoft can
inform you of Windows updates maybe?

I am asking, because I have Windows Messenger (MSN Messenger and Yahoo
Messenger too) set-up to not run when I start my computer. I only
want them to start up if and when I choose to start them.

Furthermore, I do not have the box "run in background" checked either.

Yet, when I was talking to a friend of mine in Yahoo Messenger, I told
him to try MSN messenger again to see if we can connect voice (problem
explained in another post a few posts up from this one).

Anyway, I was busy for a few minutes, and did not engage MSN
Messenger. But he went ahead and started MSN Messenger from his side.
It must have reported me as online, and I got the chat Window in
Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger) even though he was in MSN
Messenger, and even though I did not start up Windows Messenger. (I
don't think I had previously started it, to be honest).

Also, even if I had started up Windows Messenger (still don't think I
did), I've tried to shut it down completely, but maybe there is no way
to do that??

Any input is appreciated.
 
Is Windows Messenger always running? Does it run so Microsoft can
inform you of Windows updates maybe?

I am asking, because I have Windows Messenger (MSN Messenger and Yahoo
Messenger too) set-up to not run when I start my computer. I only
want them to start up if and when I choose to start them.

Furthermore, I do not have the box "run in background" checked either.

Yet, when I was talking to a friend of mine in Yahoo Messenger, I told
him to try MSN messenger again to see if we can connect voice (problem
explained in another post a few posts up from this one).

Anyway, I was busy for a few minutes, and did not engage MSN
Messenger. But he went ahead and started MSN Messenger from his side.
It must have reported me as online, and I got the chat Window in
Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger) even though he was in MSN
Messenger, and even though I did not start up Windows Messenger. (I
don't think I had previously started it, to be honest).

Also, even if I had started up Windows Messenger (still don't think I
did), I've tried to shut it down completely, but maybe there is no way
to do that??

Any input is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Mac,

I have noted that too. I use Process Explorer (free) from
<http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml>, a much
more detailed utility than Task Manager, to track what's running on my
system. I note task msmsgs.exe, even when I explicitly set WM to NOT
run when I startup. I have repeatedly terminated that task, and
rebooted my computer. Every time I terminate msmsgs.exe, it restarts
itself 90 - 120 seconds later (yes, I've timed it).

Even when Windows Messenger is not running, msmsgs.exe uses up an
increasing amount of physical and virtual memory. I last rebooted
about 23 hours ago, and PE currently shows msmsgs.exe with 8M physical
and 15M virtual memory. This amount continues to increase until I
terminate the task, then starts up again on its own.

I suspect that the only way to stop this pest from running would be to
un install WM. I really would appreciate hearing from Microsoft on
this one.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
Greetings,

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 it to also
keep starting. 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
 
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