Windows Messenger - how to stop loading at startup

[David Clark]

Sorry if this question has been asked many times before but I can't see how
to stop Windows Messenger loading at startup. I do use Windows Messenger
from time to time but don't need it there all the time (unless, unknown to
me, other programs such as Outlook make use of it) and it sometimes gets in
the way, such as when doing a broadband speed check.

The Messenger help file tells me to uncheck Run Windows Messenger when
Windows starts check box. Sadly there is no such check box.

Any help gratefully received

David

 

[John]

Sorry if this question has been asked many times before but I can't see how
to stop Windows Messenger loading at startup.

The Messenger service, not to be confused with Microsoft's MSN
Messenger chat client, is enabled by default on Windows 2000, NT and XP
systems.
http://www.technobabble.com.au/technobabble/html/tweaks/access.htm
http://www.technobabble.com.au/technobabble/html/tweaks/tweaking.htm
TURBO CHARGING your Windows XP Operating System Part 3
Easily Disable Messenger
Right click on the logo ( next to the clock ) & click on Exit.
Go into Crogram Files > Messenger.
Rename the Messenger folder to something like "MessengerOFF" ( right
click on Messenger, click on rename, ignore the warning message )
This does not slow down Outlook or hinder system performance.

 

[Touch Base]

| Sorry if this question has been asked many times before but I can't see how
| to stop Windows Messenger loading at startup. I do use Windows Messenger
| from time to time but don't need it there all the time (unless, unknown to
| me, other programs such as Outlook make use of it) and it sometimes gets in
| the way, such as when doing a broadband speed check.
|
| The Messenger help file tells me to uncheck Run Windows Messenger when
| Windows starts check box. Sadly there is no such check box.
|
| Any help gratefully received
|
| David
|

1. Open windows messsenger
2. Click on TOOLS
3. Select OPTIONS
4. Now go to the tab GENERAL
5. Uncheck the option box of ALLOW AUTOMATIC SIGNIN WHEN CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET
6. You can also uncheck the box AUTOMATICALLY RUN MESSENGER WHEN I LOG ON TO WINDOWS

 

[Rishi]

Hello,

Are you sure you don't find a check box? Try opening windows messenger >
Tools > Preferences tab > Uncheck 'Run Windows Messenger when windows
starts'. If there is no check box then try this : Start > Run... > type in
msconfig > Go to the 'Startup' tab > Uncheck the checkmark beside 'msmsgs'
and click on ok. Reboot your system and now Windows Messenger isn't going to
start when you turn on your computer.

 

[David Clark]

Thanks for your help

I have a General section under Tools/Options/Preferences but the only two
check boxes are 'Allow Messenger to run in background' and 'Show me as away
when I'm .............'. So strangely neither of the two option boxes you
mention are present on my version of Windows Messenger (4.7). Maybe I've
got a rogue version of Messenger but thanks anyway.

David



1. Open windows messsenger
2. Click on TOOLS
3. Select OPTIONS
4. Now go to the tab GENERAL
5. Uncheck the option box of ALLOW AUTOMATIC SIGNIN WHEN CONNECTED TO THE
INTERNET
6. You can also uncheck the box AUTOMATICALLY RUN MESSENGER WHEN I LOG ON TO
WINDOWS

 

[David Clark]

Thanks, Rishi

No - really I don't have the check box you mention. Equally when I run
MsConfig - startup tab, there is no entry for 'msmsgs'. But somehow Windows
Messenger starts running. I'll take a close interest in Task Manager next
time I boot up to see if it is there but some programs such as a broadband
speed checker and Norton Cleanup nearly always object to its presence.

Thanks
David

 

[David Clark]

Thanks John

I'll try renaming the Messenger folder although it doesn't feel right
somehow

Thanks
David

 

[Rishi]

Hello,

Then perhaps you should try downloading a newer version of Windows
Messenger. Also you may want to get MSN messenger as well, although it has
added bells and whistles you can easily disable it from running using start
up. And getting a newer version is always better. You can always get the
latest versions from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Search.aspx?displaylang=en.

 

[John]

Thanks John
I'll try renaming the Messenger folder although it doesn't feel right
somehow

I do it that way on all my repair jobs David, here is some exra info.

Disable Messenger and Speedup Outlook Express
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_oe.htm
There are various ways of disabling Windows Messenger from
automatically starting, but they all have some drawbacks. Until now.
Namely, if you disable Messenger, OE takes forever to load if you have
the Contacts pane enabled.

Go to: Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Add a New, DWord value called Hide Messenger and set the value to 2.
(This step is required to prevent a long delay when opening OE with the
Contacts pane enabled).

 

[John]

David Clark wrote:

And if needed.

Demystifying the Windows Registry
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/Demystifying_the_Windows_Registry-tut74.html

Don't Fear the Registry
http://hacks.oreilly.com/pub/h/658

 

[Touch Base]

My version of MSN Messenger is 7.5

| Thanks for your help
|
| I have a General section under Tools/Options/Preferences but the only two
| check boxes are 'Allow Messenger to run in background' and 'Show me as away
| when I'm .............'. So strangely neither of the two option boxes you
| mention are present on my version of Windows Messenger (4.7). Maybe I've
| got a rogue version of Messenger but thanks anyway.
|
| David
|
|
| |
| 1. Open windows messsenger
| 2. Click on TOOLS
| 3. Select OPTIONS
| 4. Now go to the tab GENERAL
| 5. Uncheck the option box of ALLOW AUTOMATIC SIGNIN WHEN CONNECTED TO THE
| INTERNET
| 6. You can also uncheck the box AUTOMATICALLY RUN MESSENGER WHEN I LOG ON TO
| WINDOWS
| --
|
| (A)bort, (R)etry, (P)retend this never happened
| --
| Touch Base
| Post back here on the result- good or bad
|
|
|
|

 

[John]

So strangely neither of the two option boxes you

| mention are present on my version of Windows Messenger (4.7). Maybe I've
| got a rogue version of Messenger but thanks anyway.

Lots of ways to do it David.

disable Windows Messenger 4.7
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=disable+Windows+Messenger+4.7&btnG=Search&meta=

 

[-]

Hello,

you can get xp-antispy at http://www.xp-antispy.org/ ; it will allow you to remove messenger's autostart forced option, or better: uninstall it. Then you can install amsn, amsn.sourceforge.net. With this messenger equivalent, no more uncontrolled things!