MSN Messenger update leaves 2 messengers running.

[D]

Hello

Does anyone else have the problem where installing the latest (in this case
6.1) version of MSN Messenger over the one in XP already will leave the
older version running as a service?

The result is that the Messenger 6.1 gets logged out as the older service
logs on at regular intervals, and they just fight for logon all day long.
The problem is, there is no way to uninstall the old version, not any way to
shut it down.

To fix it on the couple of occasions it has happened, I:
1) Uninstall MSN messenger 6.1
2) Go to c:\Program Files\Messenger
3) There is an executable left in there, forget the name, might be
MSNSVC.exe. Take note of the name.
4) Open Windows task manager.
5) Locate that exe, and end that process.
6) Go back to the directory, and delete all files in there.
7) MSGSC.dll will not be able to be deleted.
8) reboot, and then delete msgsc.dll
9) Reinstall MSN Messenger.

Bit of a sucky proces for an apparent oversight on MS behalf. Anyone else
had this? Any better way to deal with it?

Thanks
David

 

[Mike]

Hi David,

Yes, I have that problem as well - there is a way to stop
the Windows Messenger service from running described in
Knwoledege Base Article Q302089
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-
US;302089 (How to Prevent Windows Messenger from Running
on a Windows XP-Based Computer)

Regards
Mike

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings D,

The "other Messenger", which is *Windows Messenger*, is not a "service", it is another normal
Windows application. MSN Messenger will *not* upgrade Windows Messenger as they are
completely separate products (hence the different names).


You can remove Windows Messenger, but if you do, you will be preventing Remote Assistance,
Whiteboard, Application Sharing and any other applications that utilize Messenger from
working (or loading without problems). You can just disable Windows Messenger by opening it
up, click Tools, Options, Preferences tab and unchecking 'Run this Program when Windows
starts' or 'Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts' (depending on version). As well, you
can disable it further by going to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, Add/Remove
Windows Components on the left, uncheck Windows Messenger in the components list and click
Next >. Note: this is only available if you've installed Windows XP Service Pack 1 -- if you
haven't, visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. This won't remove Windows Messenger, but
it will let it stay out of your way.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com