XP annoyance: MS Messenger

[logicalprotocol]

Hello.

On my new setup with XP Pro the ms messenger is starting to annoy me. I removed it from startup with msconfig and opening mail once put it right back. :| Also I chose in the email program to not start up Messenger and it still does every time.

My questions:

How can I stop msmessenger from opening when I open my email program?
How can I stop msmessenger from opening upon startup? (Already removed in msconfig and it magically reappeared)

Thanks

 

[NYHoustonman]

How can I stop msmessenger from opening upon startup? (Already removed in msconfig and it magically reappeared)

Open it, go to tools-options. The option for startup is there. The other thing I don't know about.

 

[crisp82]

It re-appears every time you update. That may be why it 'magically' appeared back.

There is a registry hack for the option to stop it from running every time Outllok ot IE do, jus cna't remember what. Sorry

 

[Prfstrkr]

if you just wanna stop it from running whenever email program opens, and the option in your mail program does not seem to be working, simply
go to "Set program Access and Defaults", and DO NOT make Windows Messenger as the default messenger program. Cuz the email program will just autostart whatever is the default Messenger.

if you do not want WM to startup w/ windows, and accordingly your msconfig does not work, go to "tool->option->Preferences" inside WM, and uncheck the box right by "Run this program when Windows starts".

if you are using XP Pro and do not wanna deal with WM at all,go to "Start->Run", type in "gpedit.msc". It should bring up the Group Policy window. Choose "Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates->Windows Components->Windows Messenger", then double click on "do not allow Windows Messenger to be run" and inside choose "Enable".

 

[Davegod]

i just renamed the messenger folder in Program Files. Not seen anything from it since.

 

[crisp82]

Prfstrkr has hit the nail on the head. Do that and you should be fine

 

[bsobel]

Try throwing this into a .reg file and merging it in...

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express]
"Hide Messenger"=dword:00000002

Bill <- err, don't merge this line

 

[logicalprotocol]

Prfstrkr> Thank you. Worked like a charm and very happy to learn this little trick.

 

[Prfstrkr]

no problem

 

[johnlog]

I use ZoneAlarm 3x to stop Messenger from loading. That pesky Messenger is somehow tricking the OS to keep adding it back all the time but now when Messenger tries to load I can see its icon come up and then disappears instantly. ZoneAlarm does that automatically for me. Neat program.

 

[Slugbait]

I use ZoneAlarm 3x to stop Messenger from loading.

I was unaware a firewall could terminate executables. This is the first I've heard of this. Most people use ZoneAlarm for blocking NT Messenger Service, not killing Microsoft's instant messaging programs. How does ZoneAlarm kill MSN and/or Windows Messenger?

 

[BD231]

If your using Outlook all you have to do is this:

Tools>Options>Other> Unclick "Enable instant messaging in Outlook"

Your done.

 

[johnlog]

> was unaware a firewall could terminate executables. This is the first I've heard of this. Most people use ZoneAlarm for blocking NT Messenger Service, not killing Microsoft's instant messaging programs. How does ZoneAlarm kill MSN and/or Windows Messenger? <<<

You can block any program from running if you have the latest ZoneAlarm Pro 3x. ZAP 3 lists all the programs that has the ability to log onto the internet. Each of those listed programs have several options. One is to not allow a program to run or access the internet. Nice stuff.

>>>If your using Outlook all you have to do is this:

Tools>Options>Other> Unclick "Enable instant messaging in Outlook"

I do not use Outlook. I use Outlook Express and it does not have that "other" menu. It does have a place to run or not run Instant Messenger when I run OE. That is unselect but IM wants to load and install its icon anyway. I have ZoneAlarm Pro 3x set to not allow it to load or access the internet. Works nicely for me. Plus I did not have to hack the registry.

 

[Vad3r]

just renamed the messenger folder in Program Files. Not seen anything from it since.

I did someting similar, renamed Messeneger to "NoMessenger", it's been gone since. No registry hacks involded, it simply doesn't load itselt any longer.