Windows MSN

Windows MSN

by tholmes Mar 22, 2005 3:30AM PST

I am using Win XP Home Edition and I can not stand the MSN Windows Messenger, that is always there, how do I get rid of it once and for all? I have looked under install/uninstall programs but it is not there, where is it hiding? Thanks

Discussion is locked

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It's not easy...

by glenn30 Mar 22, 2005 4:18AM PST

It is a part of Windows XP with no removal method evidenced. I have disabled it by simply renaming the "messenger" folder under Program Files to "messenger {disabled}". The renaming will not allow it to start. To undo simply reverse the change.

Hope this helps.

Glenn

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Just another quick Question

by tholmes Mar 22, 2005 8:05AM PST

Sorry, how do I find the file? Thanks

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Go here...

by glenn30 Mar 22, 2005 8:53AM PST

Using "Windows Explorer" under C:\ click on Program Files and locate the folder "messenger". Rename that folder as I previously explained.

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Remove it from Windows Components....

by Papa Echo Mar 22, 2005 9:46AM PST

....at Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs. Is that the one ?

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Windows MSN

by GhostAlph Mar 22, 2005 9:46PM PST

You'll want to go into the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, and then click on "Add/Remove Windows Components" on the left-hand side. You'll be presented with a list. Scroll to the bottom to find "Windows Messenger" and uncheck it to uninstall it.

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Thank you

by tholmes Mar 22, 2005 10:51PM PST

That worked, thanks! I couldn't stand that program!! I looked there before but I didnt see it as an option, nmust have missed it

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You're welcome

by GhostAlph Mar 22, 2005 11:04PM PST

Hey, no problem. I know how annoying that thing can be.

Heh, yeah. And the strange thing is that MSN Messenger (which you download and install) is actually different from Windows Messenger (which is what comes >with< Windows XP), so you can indeed have both. In that case, MSN Messenger will show in the Add/Remove Programs section whereas Windows Messenger is in that Add/Remove Windows Components section, and that's why it can be hard to miss. And you know, I don't think the option to remove it was implimented [sp] until SP1 was released, though I don't know that for sure. I know you couldn't "uninstall" IE until after SP1 came out...and if I remember right you could do the same with that Windows Messenger.

Regards,
GhostAlpha

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Re: GhostAlpha FYI

by rogerthai Mar 23, 2005 1:24AM PST

You can just delete the MSN Explorer file and the Messenger file in Programs. Both Programs ( MSN Explorer and Messenger ) are not very usable. Both Programs require extensive updates and they still do not function very well. I have XP Home and every time I reinstall my Windows O.S. one of the first things that I do is to delete these 2 worthless Program Files. I do not have SP 1 or SP 2 installed. I created my own security programs to protect my Windows XP from unauthorized tampering and accessing.

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try this

by jamieschildroth May 20, 2005 3:38AM PDT

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

this goes and actually uninstalls Windows Messenger. The other replys merely just remove access to it in windows. Just copy the above command into the run and it'll uninstall and be gone forever

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Re: Try This

by tholmes May 20, 2005 9:13AM PDT

Thanks, I tried it and it seems to have worked, I of course created a restore point first just in case something goes wrong...Thanks for the advice..

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