MS is forcing MSMessenger on us-again

It's a curious coincidence since I just ran Microsoft’s latest update. Now I can't close MS Messenger like I always do when I don't want to use it! Sure I can sign off but the damn thing is still down there leering at me in the system tray. I know what you are saying, there are ways to remove it but - damn. Get this, it says "Can't close messenger because another program is using it, this could include outlook, outlook express, or internet explorer." Hmmpff. I guess they finally started adding it into the OS through the infamous "Windows Update". Annoying us sysaddy’s and users with constant reminders to set up a hotmail account wasn't good enough for Billy and the Boingers.

/end rant.

PS, Yes I do consider it a security thing, or more affectionately ant-security by MS.

I've seen that before, but it's been a while. It was usually happening when either Outlook was running in the background or was closed down prematurely and possibly had some open threads running in the background.

Have you tried a reboot (yes I know it's the standard response to MS problems) yet?

Check your services out and see what's running.

If you select Tool\Options and then uncheck 'Run this program when Windows starts' this will stop Messenger from starting when Windows start.

My recommendation, use XP-AntiSpy and remove messenger. If you don't want to do that, or you have a number of computers you need it removed from, there's a reg hack (I can post it online when I get back to my office if you want) which you can import into the registry on all of your systems at startup which will remove it permantely.

AJ

Edit: By the way, I completely agree that it's ridiculous that msmsgs is pushed on us. For my office network, one of my friends found a way to ensure that it never shows up under "Recommended Updates" on WindowsUpdate on any of my systems. I think it was a reg hack, but I'm not sure.

It would seem that the nice Australian wine has finally started to reach my brain (brane)? :)

I have had some concern about these messaging systems fo some time.

Please try: http://www.bitdefender.com and look for the free (to home users?) tools for MSN, IM, and the lot.............................might be useful to those that use them?


cheers

Hey avdven, I would be interest in the regitry hack to complety remove Messenger from Running at all even when Outlook is open. Can you post it here or PM?

Thank you.

I have MSN Messenger 5 and I don't have outlook installed, I get that message too, I sometimes have to close Internet Explorer before I can close MSN Messenger.

I can't find the registry hack at the moment, but here are two commands you can put in a batch file which will remove it...

To Remove Windows Messenger:
rundll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %systemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

To Remove Extra Windows Messenger Stuff:
rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection BLC.Remove 128 %systemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf

AJ

PS: I'll keep looking for the reg hack and post it when I find it.

I went to my computer then local dish c. program files.found messenger and rename it.

Ya, that's my beef el-half, you can't close the damn thing when you have Outlook and IE open. Unfortunately, I have family that use MSN (ack) so I am stuck with messenger when I want some comms with them. But when I am not using it I used to close it, now I have to exit Outlook, which is my life blood and brain extension, and close IE. Boring Hassles.

Quote:

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now I have to exit Outlook, which is my life blood and brain extension, and close IE.

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Can't you just disable Outlook from using Messenger? There's an option to do so under the "Other" tab under Outlook's "Options" dialog... Outlook Express (if I remember right) has a similar feature.

AJ

I guess Microsoft just likes to be a pain in the but..


Nightfalls_Girl

MS is trying to do what AOL tried to do a while ago...force "their" users to log into the official-MS Messenger servers by using "official" products, such as MS Messenger, and no third party like Trillian/etc.

Problem is, as AOL found out, the guys that run Trillian, which is a donation-run product that can be used FREE OF CHARGE with NO spyware, NO reg hacks, and NO costly overhead, they're pretty smart and destroyed every "fix" that AOL tried to do to prevent Trillian users from logging into their servers. MS will learn from this as well.

IMHO, I would much rather donate to a cause that gives me a good product without any "extras" unless stated up front. Every major function that Windows tries to do, I find a third party that does it better, and if it works just like it says minus the headaches, I buy or donate. I've donated $85.00 to date to the Trillian cause. I've replaced notepad/wordpad, I use Winamp instead of WMP, I use Radlight to view movies/etc...the list goes on.

Support the third parties...for they give you a true choice.