Windows Messenger update

[Teresa]

This is driving me insane. I keep getting a popup that
tells me I must up date Windows Messenger in order to
continue.It gives me the option of yes or no. When I
click No, it pops up again, the only way to stop it is to
click cltr/alt/delete. I have disabled windows messenger.
I do not want this program. Why does Microsoft feel the
need to impose this program on me. How can I completely
do away with this program and these annoying popups? I
have Windows XP home.
Thanks,
Teresa

 

[Lori]

I am having the same problem. I found a "Windows XP-Based
Knowledge Based Articles" site which showed an article
which gave instructions for completely removing Window's
Messenger from the registry. I did this but I am also
still getting the pop-ups that won't go away. I called
Microsoft help last night, and after waiting forever, and
giving up all MY vital info., the technician informed me
that she was NOT a technician and it would cost me some
$35 to talk with one. When I got a bit peeved and asked
her why I should have to spend money to NOT use their
products, she hung up on me!!!! Sure home someone
figures out this problem soon!!

Peace, Lori

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Teresa,

Firstly, remove your saved Passport login in Windows XP, so it can't automatically sign you
in to the service (you can readd this back in the future if you like), click the Start
Button, then click the Control Panel. Then, click User Accounts in the Control Panel. Select
your account name, and then on the left side of the screen, under Related Tasks, click
'Manage my Network Passwords'. In the window that opens, click the Passport.Net\* (Passport)
entry and click 'Remove'.

Then, do you have Norton Antivirus 2003 installed? Norton added a new "instant messaging
scanning" feature to Norton Antivirus 2003, which can conflict with Messenger and cause some
of this behavior. 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.

If the window is still open with the upgrade question, say No, it should now stop trying.
Open up the main Windows Messenger window (double-click its icon in the system
tray/notification area, by the clock or click Start, All Programs, Windows Messenger to bring
it up), click the Tools menu, then Options, then Preferences, uncheck 'Run this program when
Windows starts' and click OK. Then right-click the on the Windows Messenger icon in the
notification area/system tray and choose Exit. You shouldn't see it again (unless some other
application starts it).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com