windows messenger vs. MSN messenger

[Fran]

What is the difference between Windows messenger and MSN
messenger?
I recently downloaded MSN messenger 6.1, thinking it would
replace Windows Messenger 4.7 which came with Windows XP,
but I now have 2 versions of Messenger. The problem is I
cannot remove Windows Messenger in the "Add/remove
programs" list. Please tell me how i can get rid of this
annoying messenger which signs me in every time i go to
get my e-mail. I have tried disabling it in Outlook
Express as suggested in other postings, but it still opens
up automatically.
I would appreciate clear instructions.
Thanks
Fran

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Fran,

There are several differences between the two. Most notably, MSN Messenger 6 has support for
display pictures, custom emoticons, has a different interface, etc. whereas Windows Messenger
supports SIP-based communications services, Exchange IM Server, etc. Which one you use is up
to you, and a matter of personal choice (and based upon your needs and likes), however one
thing to keep in mind, Windows Messenger must still be installed on Windows XP in order for
MSN Messenger to retain full functionality (Remote Assistance, Whiteboard, Application
Sharing, etc.).

MSN Messenger is centered around MSN technologies (Hotmail, MSN Member Profiles, MSN Mobile,
etc.) whereas Windows Messenger is centered around Windows technologies (Exchange Server,
Office Live Communications Server, Windows Netmeeting, etc.).

Both clients however can make use of Microsoft technologies, like the .NET Messenger service,
..NET Passport and .NET Alerts.

They are separate products and one does not replace the other.

You can completely 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). Instead (and this should solve your problem),
you should simply disable it. To do so, open 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. However, what mail application are you using that it's still starting
up in?
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Fran]

Thank you, Jonathan, for your detailed reply.
I followed the steps you outlined, but lo and behold, when
I checked my e-mail with Outlook Express, the Windows
Messenger automatically signed in again! In Outlook
Express - Tools - should I uncheck the box "allow
messenger to run in the background". I already unchecked
it to allow it to run in startup.
Thanks for your advice.

-----Original Message-----
Greetings Fran,

There are several differences between the two. Most

notably, MSN Messenger 6 has support for

display pictures, custom emoticons, has a different

interface, etc. whereas Windows Messenger

supports SIP-based communications services, Exchange IM

Server, etc. Which one you use is up

to you, and a matter of personal choice (and based upon

your needs and likes), however one

thing to keep in mind, Windows Messenger must still be

installed on Windows XP in order for

MSN Messenger to retain full functionality (Remote

Assistance, Whiteboard, Application

Sharing, etc.).

MSN Messenger is centered around MSN technologies

(Hotmail, MSN Member Profiles, MSN Mobile,

etc.) whereas Windows Messenger is centered around

Windows technologies (Exchange Server,

Office Live Communications Server, Windows Netmeeting, etc.).

Both clients however can make use of Microsoft

technologies, like the .NET Messenger service,

..NET Passport and .NET Alerts.

They are separate products and one does not replace the other.

You can completely 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). Instead (and

this should solve your problem),

you should simply disable it. To do so, open 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. However, what mail application are

you using that it's still starting

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Fran,

Unfortunately that won't do it, to disable Windows Messenger loading with Outlook Express,
you'll need to close Outlook Express, then download and run this .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/downloads/stopmessenger_oe.reg
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com