[Last Update] JUN.29, 2005
What is Windows Messenger?
Windows Messenger is the Microsoft instant messaging program built into Windows XP. And Microsoft has tightly integrated this program into many of its other programs including Outlook Express, Outlook and Remote Assistance.
Disable Windows Messenger from Autorunning when Windows starts
1. Using Windows Messenger's option
[Applies to] Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on Windows XP Pro / Home Edition
Start Windows Messenger, Click Tools on menu \ Options \ Preferences tab, uncheck "Run this program when Windows starts", then click OK.
2. Using Group Policy
[Applies to] Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on Windows XP Pro Edition
Start \ Run \ type gpedit.msc, and then press ENTER
Navigate to:
Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Messenger
Double-click on the option "Do not automatically start Windows Messenger initially", and then click Enabled.
Click OK, and then close Group Policy.
3. Using Registry Editor
[Applies to] Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on Windows XP Pro / Home Edition
Start \ Run \ type Regedit, press ENTER
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft
If the folder Messenger is not listed, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key
If the folder Client is not listed under Messenger, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Client for the name of the new registry key
On the Edit Menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type PreventAutoRun for the name of the new DWORD value. Remember all of this is case sensitive.
Then double-click the PreventAutoRun value that you created, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK. And close the Registry Editor.
Disable Windows Messenger from running
1. Using Group Policy
[Applies to] Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on Windows XP Pro Edition
Start \ Run \ type gpedit.msc, and then press ENTER
Navigate to:
Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Messenger
Double-click on the option "Do not allow Windows Messenger to run", and then click Enabled
Click OK, and then close Group Policy.
2. Using Registry Editor
[Applies to] Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on Windows XP Pro / Home Edition
Start \ Run \ type Regedit, press ENTER
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft
If the folder Messenger is not listed, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key
If the folder Client is not listed under Messenger, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Client for the name of the new registry key
On the Edit Menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value. Remember all of this is case sensitive.
Then double-click the PreventRun value that you created, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK. And close the Registry Editor.
Stop Outlook or Outlook Express from Running Windows Messenger When They Are Opened
Outlook
Open Outlook \ Click Tools \ Options \ Other tab \ Uncheck the box for Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook, Click OK
Outlook Express
Open Outlook Express, Click Tools \ Options \ General tab, Uncheck the box for Automatically log on to Windows Messenger, Click OK
Remove Messenger or Uninstall Windows Messenger from Windows XP
The procedure for removing Windows Messenger depends on whether your system has Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed. To determine whether Service Pack 1 is installed follow these directions:
1. Removing Messenger from computers WITHOUT Service Pack 1 installed
Make sure your Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Messenger and other programs are closed before doing this.
Start \ Run \ Type the following (or cut and paste it) into the Run line
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
Click OK
2. Removing Messenger from computers WITH Service Pack 1 installed
Control Panel \ Add or Remove Programs \ Add/Remove Windows Components, Uncheck Windows Messenger, Click Next \ Finish
Restart your computer