Thread: Unwelcome Messenger

Instant Messaging is very popular, partly because the Windows Messenger client is on by default in XP However, only a minority of people use Microsoft's
chat tooL In spite of this, Messenger turns up after every login with a System Tray icon and a message saying the user is not logged in. Of course, you can let it start and then deactivate it by choosing Tools/Options and unchecking the 'Start Windows Messenger when Windows is started' in the Settings dialogue. However, Windows Update will still identify the Messenger client if paths are available and, in some cases, will reset your settings.

Then Messenger will demand, at every start, that you log in with your Wmdows Live ID. You can prevent this by 'deinstalling' Messenger via the Control Panel's Add or Remove programs module. In the left-hand column click on Add or Remove Windows Components and uncheck the Windows Messenger entry. After clicking on Next, Windows will remove the component.



A more elegant way to exorcise Windows Messenger is with XP Antispy. You simply tick two boxes on the interface: the first goes in the category Microsoft Messenger (MSN) in front of Deinstall, and the second goes in the Miscellaneous settings section, next to 'Do not start MS Messenger with Outlook Express'. After clicking on the Apply Settings button, XP Antispy removes Windows Messenger automatically.