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•This article describes how to prevent Windows Messenger from running. By default, Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition install Windows Messenger, and the user interface does not provide a way to remove or to uninstall Windows Messenger.

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 302089
  • Microsoft has not made it easy to get rid of Messenger but there is a simple way to remove it forever. Here are the steps:
    1. Click Start, Run.
    2. Copy and paste the following into the Run box and click ok. A status bar will pop up and after you reboot your system it will be gone, for good!:

  • If you just want to stop Messenger from starting when you use certain MS web sites or programs, you can follow these steps.

    Note: Any updates involving Messenger installed from Windows Update or elsewhere will reinstall Messenger. To stop that, see below.
  • For those who wish to add additional Registry entries to prohibit Messenger from being reinstalled, run the Batch file NOMSNGR.bat contained within this ZIP file.

    If you wish to restore your original settings please run WMRESET.BAT (also included in the ZIP) to remove the registry settings that prevent Windows Messenger from running. You will then need to manually reinstall Windows Messenger on your computer.
  • You may also wish to check the Add/Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel.


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    by slash See Profile
    last modified: 2004-07-15 16:21:51